The 2nd West African Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (WASHEQ) Conference was a great success. Over 370 people from 6 West African countries, the US, and the UK attended. There were presentations on safety management and other topics, as well as breakout sessions. Awards were given to companies demonstrating leadership in occupational safety. The conference aims to improve safety standards across West Africa and provide a forum for professionals to network. Plans are underway for the 2013 conference in Lagos, Nigeria.

1. Communiqué from the
2nd WASHEQ
CONFERENCE 2012
It was indeed a great
success -
It was immaculate Thanks for putting
congratulations to the
and very impressive. together such a
entire team for a
An excellent wonderful conference.
good work done .
performance for you I believe it will go
and your team places.
Ayekoo
We should make it at
least 2 days
WASHEQ 2012 Participant
Ing. Ben R Aniagyei, FGhIE, FIIRSM
WASHEQ 2012 Participant
MD, B.R.A. & Associates Limited
John C K Otoo AIMSA, MBA, BSc
OHS Manager , Damang Gold Mine
WASHEQ 2012 Participant & Exhibitor Goldfields
Ghassan Husseini
MD, Safety Transport & Logistics

2. In collaboration with Ghana Chamber of Mines and the Department of Factories Inspectorate, SHEQ Foundation Ghana
successfully organized the 2nd West African Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (WASHEQ) Conference, exhibition and
awards on the theme “Striving for HSE Excellence – Best Practices from the developing world.” The WASHEQ Conference,
Exhibition and Awards is an annual gathering of stakeholders in the area of Occupational Safety, Health, Environment and Quality
across industries to deliberate and learn best practices in SHEQ (Safety, Health, Environment and Quality), to help reduce
workplace accidents.
The conference was chaired by Mr Alfred Chinbuah, Newmont Health and Safety Manager, other notable speakers included the
Tema metropolitan Chief Inspector Mr Steve Lomotey who gave the keynote address,the MD of Jabulani Consultants, Nigeria,
Daniel Anoff of Brown and Mason, London, HSE manager of VRA, Samuel Lamptey, Ghana, David Ofosu-Dorte, AB & David,
Ghana and many more.
The event was heavily patronized on LINKEDIN with a total of 170 people registering for the event. In total over 370 people
attended representing 6 West African countries, the United states and the United Kingdom. Sectors that participated in the event
included power, manufacturing, construction, agriculture, mining, telecoms, oil and gas, marine and a host of Government
agencies.
In total 21 enthusiastic exhibitors took part in the event showcasing SHEQ products and best practices. The SMTS stand also held
a raffle draw for 4 free Nebosh IGC courses worth GHC4,200 each and was worn by 2 Nigerians and 2 Ghanaians one being a
SHEQ Foundation volunteer.
There were 7 breakout sessions designed to empower HSE Advisors and managers covering varied topics including safety
management to prevent work place accidents, process safety in the oil and gas industry , Safety Videos based training etc. There
were also presentations to all conference attendees on how to manage workplace stress, the UK health and safety regulatory
regime from an Ex inspector and The Legal Framework For Safety Standards In Physical Development and Related Matters. The
last session before the awards ceremony was a round table session on the insurance industry informing participants what safety
measures companies can take to result in smaller premiums.
The awards ceremony of the conference saw various companies across West Africa receiving awards in different categories for
their contribution to WASHEQ but also Occupational Health and Safety best practices in West Africa. Tullow Oil Ghana Ltd
received the ultimate Platinum award, other award winners included Finsbury Heinz Ltd from Nigeria, Newmont Ghana Ltd, Cares
Ghana Ltd, Modec Ghana and AEL Mining Services. All these companies mentioned supported both WASHEQ 2011 and 2012
and show their commitment in improving SHEQ Standards in the West African workplace. Tullow the diamond sponsor of the event
also provided USBs containing presentations given and other training material including Tullow safety rules, torches and stress balls
to all participants.
SHEQ Foundation also launched the SHEQ Passport scheme which is currently being piloted in Ghana in collaboration with
various industries to ensure that workers and various sub contractors engaged by companies will understand the basic principles
relating to Safety, Health, Environment and Quality. Participants were able to buy the SHEQ Passport book which covers the
examinable material considered necessary for the award of the SHEQ Passport. Participants who would like to be assessed to be
awarded a SHEQ passport should contact the SHEQ Foundation executive secretary on admin@sheqfoundation.org.
The SHEQ Foundation executive secretary, Richard Darko called on management of institutions to adopt deliberate policies to
ensure accident free environment for workers. Actions that promoted work place safety allowed for the achievement of
organizational goals for the long- term benefit of the institutions. He encouraged managers to always be prepared to take proactive
measures to reduce workplace accidents.
The projected growth of the conference is credited to outstanding speakers, informative and useful breakout sessions, exhibitors,
and the opportunity to learn from – and network with – international and national safety experts in the industry. The event was
covered by the Daily Graphic, CITIFM, Ghana News Agency and Metro TV.
The next opportunity to attend WASHEQ will be in August 2013 in Lagos, Nigeria. Make plans now to attend! For more
detailed information about the 2013 conference, please visit www.sheqfoundaton.org .

3. Pictures from the event ( presenters, participants, sponsors, awardees and exhibitors)

4. FEEDBACK FROM EVENT
Whole Event Keynote Presentations
60 60
40 40
Percentage
Percentage
20 20
0 0
Opinion Opinion
Workshops Venue
Percentage
60 80
40 60
40
Percentage
20 20
0
0
Opinion Opinion
Food & Refreshments Organisation on the day
Percentage
60
50
Percentage
40 100
30
20
10 0
0
Opinion
Opinion

5. Did you miss the event, well Renegade have uploaded a short video and some
participants are dancing in their chairs.. I think that was during the presentation by
the safety comedian on stress...well done Jamui
http://youtu.be/rB6qwZJyy24
Also some pictures can be found here
www.facebook.com/sheqgh
do well to tag yourself
For those of you are not facebook fans pictures will be uploaded to the
sheqfoundation website in Oct 2012, are website is www.sheqfoundation.org.
For those of you who did not receive a USB all presentation will be uploaded to
our website by Oct 2012.
Finally if you missed out on buying a SHEQ
Passport book please contact
admin@sheqfoundation.org for a copy is only
15ghc.
Assessment centres will be opened in Q1
2013 for an assessment to receive your SHEQ
Passport card similar to the driving license,
this will show the modules you have studied,
have your picture and an assessment number
which your employer can contact us to verify.
For more information on SHEQ PASSPORTS
please visit our website
www.sheqfoundation.org