Exercising Safety During Demos

By ADMINISTRATORUncategorized

Although protests organizers may promise to plan peaceful protests, many of these events are are generally unsafe and crowds can be targets for violence or create opportunity for violence. Danger in crowds can be triggered by the emotions or actions of participants, bystanders, or external individuals who may not share the purpose or intent of the event.

Jhuthi’s Enterprises Ltd remains committed to national development agenda and Vision 2030 by the Government of Kenya.

As a company, we are also concerned about the safety of our personnel, clients and visitors. The following tips are offered for personal awareness and not to discourage or encourage any participation in planned demonstrations.

15 Tips:

  1. During the pandemic, wear a mask, maintain physical distance, and carry hand sanitizer. Notice persons near you without masks, especially if they are acting in a way that could spread coronavirus (like shouting or singing).
  2. Be aware of the influence your actions have on others and their actions on you.
  3. Look at items people are carrying. Could these items be dangerous, used to instigate, or escalate violence? If you sense danger, move away.
  4. Be aware of the clothing people are wearing. Is it emblematic of groups or causes and are those causes consistent with yours? If you sense danger, move away.
  5. Be aware of the behaviors of others near you. If these behaviors could provoke violence, move away.
  6. Look for vehicles in the area and vehicle movement that could be dangerous. If you observe a vehicle moving among the crowd, move quickly away to a safe location.
  7. Be alert to any discarded or abandoned items like book bags or backpacks. Move away from the item and alert authorities.
  8. Do not stop or stand near objects that could fall from above.
  9. Do not participate in violent demonstrations that end up looting and destroying private and public properties
  10. Follow safety precautions by local authorities.
  11. If you are coming from work, only use routes that are free of protests to reach home
  12. Ensure to carry some form of ID, especially Job ID in case it is required by local authorities or the police to ascertain your origin and destination
  13. To avoid following the crowds blindly without understanding and echoing the causes the crowds may be championing for
  14. To respect the rights if others during such events
  15. To avoid driving where protests are concentrated

Article by JEL – HSSE Team.