By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
NP (SL) on Tuesday, 28 April 2026, joined the global community to commemorate World Day for Safety and Health at Work at its Shell facility on Parsonage Street, Kissy in Freetown, with a strong focus on promoting a healthy psychosocial working environment. The event, held under the theme: “Ensuring a Healthy Psychosocial Working Environment,” brought together Management, Staff and key stakeholders to reflect on workplace safety practices, emerging risks and the growing importance of mental and emotional wellbeing in today’s professional settings.
Delivering remarks, NP(SL)’s Human Resource Manager, Georgina Williams, highlighted the increasing impact of psychosocial risks within modern workplaces, pointing to factors such as unfair treatment, workplace harassment and poorly defined job roles as key stressors that can undermine productivity, staff morale and overall wellbeing if not effectively addressed. She laid emphasis on the need for proactive strategies to create a supportive and inclusive work culture capable of responding to these challenges.
Georgina Williams outlined measures introduced by NP (SL) to strengthen employee wellbeing, including improved internal communication systems, the placement of suggestion boxes across operational sites and initiatives aimed at promoting work-life balance, such as casual dress Fridays.
Staff welfare programmes, including birthday recognitions at the head office canteen, were also noted by her as part of broader efforts to boost morale and foster a sense of belonging.
The importance of clearly defined roles and structured conflict resolution mechanisms through departmental leadership was underscored, alongside encouragement for open dialogue as a practical means of addressing workplace concerns.
Finance Manager, Consvonne Macrae, described the 2026 theme as both timely and highly relevant, noting that effective teamwork depends on strong interpersonal relationships and coordinated effort. While acknowledging the company’s generally positive working environment, attention was drawn to the reality that employees remain vulnerable to mental stress, reinforcing the need for sustained engagement and robust support systems within the organisation.
Representing the National Fire Force, Musa Kajue affirmed that NP (SL) continues to meet established safety standards. Reference was made to a recent fire incident that prompted Government to mandate comprehensive fire risk assessments across petroleum facilities, including NP (SL) terminals. Those assessments examined the availability and functionality of essential safety equipment such as fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems, ensuring compliance and readiness.
Further insights highlighted the National Fire Force’s expansion of training programmes for institutions seeking to enhance fire safety capacity, with the partnership between the agency and NP (SL) described as mutually beneficial. Ongoing efforts to improve firefighting infrastructure, including the construction of boreholes and installation of water tanks to address limited access to functional hydrants, were also emphasized, with recognition given to NP (SL)’s continued support in strengthening emergency response systems.
In a keynote address, Chief Executive Officer of NP (SL), Dr. Mohamed S. Kanu, commended staff, particularly drivers, for consistently adhering to safety protocols. Reaffirmation was made of NP (SL)’s commitment to maintaining high standards in health and safety, noting that the company remains ISO certified and continues to undergo annual audits to sustain compliance and operational excellence.
He drew attention to the critical role of individual responsibility in sustaining a safe work environment, with professionalism in staff conduct and appearance, especially during customer interactions, highlighted as essential. Collaboration with security agencies was also praised, while Management’s commitment to strengthening psychosocial support systems was reiterated, placing employee mental wellbeing at the centre of productivity, safety and overall organizational success.
Closing the event, NP (SL)’s Operations Manager, Vandi Bockarie, highlighted notable progress in reducing workplace incidents, attributing the achievement to the dedication of the Terminal Controller Operations team. Recognition was given to the vital role of drivers in maintaining safety standards and supporting emergency response efforts, including their ability to operate hydrants and effectively manage terminal risks.
Personal and life challenges were identified as significant factors influencing employees’ psychosocial health and safety performance, with staff encouraged to maintain open communication with Management and the human resources department when facing difficulties. Fatigue and distraction were cited as leading causes of workplace incidents, prompting a strong call for employees to prioritize safety by speaking up when unfit for duty. Plans to introduce daily morning safety briefings were also disclosed as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen awareness and reinforce a culture of safety.
The observance concluded with a renewed commitment by NP (SL) and its stakeholders to sustained dialogue, shared responsibility and continuous improvement in advancing safer, healthier and more resilient workplaces across the organisation.
