NEBOSH IGC Element 1 highlights why managing workplace hazards is critical — not just for compliance, but to protect lives, property, and business continuity.
The 21st century has already seen devastating workplace tragedies. The Rana Plaza collapse in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 2013, where structural failure combined with fire, claimed 1,129 lives and injured thousands. Less than a year earlier, the Tazreen Fashions fire, also in Dhaka, killed at least 112 workers, many trapped or forced to jump from windows.
In the United States, the BP Texas City refinery explosion in 2005 led to 15 deaths and over 170 injuries due to gas explosions caused by faulty equipment. Even in the UK, a metal fabrication accident saw an employee lose part of their hand operating unguarded machinery, resulting in a £120,000 fine.
NEBOSH Element 1 emphasizes identifying hazards, assessing and controlling risks, and fostering a safety culture where everyone takes responsibility. Safety is more than a legal requirement — it is a moral and financial imperative.
Embedding safety into daily practices saves lives, protects property, and strengthens organizations.
© 2025
David Kiboi Since 2019