Safety experts met Thursday at Swakopmund for the Erongo Offshore Safety Conference to discuss risks facing workers. Erongo governor Neville Andre called safety the oxygen of sustainable progress. He warned that mistakes can ruin trust, harm nature, and hurt Namibia as an energy partner. He said protection must come with progress, or success becomes an illusion.
Andre asked everyone, from managers to workers, to help create safer conditions. He pushed companies to go beyond basic laws. Knowledge Ipinge spoke about the fears offshore workers face during his time leading the Walvis Bay Urban Constituency Disaster Risk Management Committee. He pointed to problems with current rules, long work hours, job worries, and mental health issues from sea isolation.
Ipinge asked conference members to listen more to regular employees instead of making all decisions from above. He suggested creating an independent safety office for offshore operations and programs, helping workers with mental health and family support. Ipinge stressed that everyone must work together so offshore employees stop suffering quietly.
Andre asked everyone, from managers to workers, to help create safer conditions. He pushed companies to go beyond basic laws. Knowledge Ipinge spoke about the fears offshore workers face during his time leading the Walvis Bay Urban Constituency Disaster Risk Management Committee. He pointed to problems with current rules, long work hours, job worries, and mental health issues from sea isolation.
Ipinge asked conference members to listen more to regular employees instead of making all decisions from above. He suggested creating an independent safety office for offshore operations and programs, helping workers with mental health and family support. Ipinge stressed that everyone must work together so offshore employees stop suffering quietly.
