SHEQ Foundation, an NGO in occupational safety and health in collaboration with the Department of Factories inspectorate -Tema has marked the International World Day of Safety and Health at the workplace in Tema with the official Launching of the 2nd Annual WASHEQ 2012. The West Africa Safety, Health, Environment and Quality Conference and Exhibition is an annual gathering of stakeholders in the area of occupational safety and health across Industries in West Africa to deliberate and learn best practices in HSE to help reduce workplace accidents. The inaugural event was held in Ghana in September 2011 at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel. It was attended by over 400 professional from almost all West African countries, with Ghana and Nigeria dominating. Among the industries that participated are Manufacturing, construction, Agriculture, Mining, Oil and Gas, Marine and a host of Government agencies. The conference had an exhibition and breakout sessions that made interactions and learning very effective. The success of the 2011event has resulted in calls for the 2012 conference to be held in Ghana again. In view of this, organizers of the event SHEQ FOUNDATION have decided that the 2012 conference takes place in Ghana. The 2012 WASHEQ was officially launched in a short ceremony at Tema to mark world day of safety and health at the workplace which falls on 28th April each year. The ceremony saw in attendance participants from various factories and companies in Tema and Accra, officers from the Department of Factories Inspectorate, and the general public. The opening address was delivered by Mr Evans Opare of the Factories Inspectorate in Tema. He spoke on the ILO’s theme for this year’s World Safety Day: promoting occupational health and safety in a green economy, he stressed on the need for a multi disciplinary approach in integrating environmental aspects in safety and health. Other speakers were Mr. Davidson Akwada of the Bureau of Safety and Mr. Richard Adu Darko – Executive Secretary of SHEQ FOUNDATION who performed the official Launching of WASHEQ 2012. In his address he stated that this year’s WASHEQ will not only see speakers and participants from West Africa but from across the world. Mr Adu Darko said that each year comes with its challenges so there is always the need to take proactive measures in our quest to reduce workplace accidents. He thanked Tullow Oil Ghana ltd for being a major sponsor for this year’s conference. The theme for WASHEQ 2012 is, STRIVING FOR HSE EXCELLENCE: BEST PRACTICES FROM THE DEVELOPING WORLD. The conference will take place on Friday 31st August 2012 at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel Accra. He called on corporate Ghana for sponsorship for the conference and encouraged participants to register early to be part of this year’s conference.