Monrovia, Liberia – The Liberia National Red Cross Society on Monday celebrated World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2026 in Monrovia under the theme “Building Healthy Psychosocial Working Environments in the Workplace.” The event brought together government institutions including the Liberia Electricity Corporation, the Liberia National Fire Service, the Ministry of Labor, and other partner organizations.
The Red Cross and its partners commemorate the day to reaffirm their commitment to creating safe and secure working conditions for staff, volunteers, and communities throughout Liberia, according to National Society Development Officer Sigmund R. Holt, who explained the objective of the event.
“The commemoration serves as a platform to highlight the importance of occupational safety, risk awareness, and personal responsibility,” Holt said. “Safety is not only a policy requirement, but a core humanitarian value, ensuring that those who serve people can do so with confidence and protection.”
According to Holt, the event promoted a culture of readiness, prevention, and accountability among employers, workers, staff, and volunteers. The Liberia National Red Cross, he continued, is urging all partners to increase training and awareness, increase investment in preventive measures, and guarantee that every workplace fosters safety, resiliency, and dignity.
“Together, we can build a safer and healthier future for Liberia’s workforce and community,” Holt said.
This year’s theme, according to Director General Colonel Warsuwah Barvoul, Sr. of the Liberia National Fire Service, is controlling workplace stress, workload, and organizational culture to safeguard employees’ mental and physical health.
“This global campaign also promotes the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases,” Barvoul said. Citing the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, he defined disaster as “any event that seriously disrupts society and causes human, economic, or environmental loss.”
In order to protect people, property, and the environment from the catastrophic effects of fire, Barvoul emphasized the importance of Fire Safety Preparedness and Response Plans for Liberia. He pointed out that in order to avoid risks, workplaces must be planned with safety, workload, and employee assistance in mind.
This, he said, can be achieved by “maintaining clean, organized spaces, wearing protective equipment, installing alarms and safety signs, and reporting hazards immediately.”
Col. Barvoul cited recent workplace tragedies that occurred in Liberia between 2025 and 2026, such as the deadly oxygen tanker explosion at MIRA Gas on Japan Freeway in Monrovia in September 2025, which resulted in fatalities, injuries, and pollution of the surrounding area.
He also mentioned the February 2025 explosion at a steel facility that led to a House probe after lives were lost, as well as several deaths at ArcelorMittal’s activities in 2026 that were connected to broken equipment and inadequate emergency procedures.
“These incidents exposed negligence, poor safety compliance, and improper handling of equipment,” Barvoul said. “Let this be a wake-up call for national actors and stakeholders to act now and stop the fatalities and injuries.”
He urged the Liberia National Red Cross and other stakeholders to launch counseling programs for fire victims to help reduce trauma.
Reported by: Agnes Bedfordlyn Bedford
