Miselo Justin Bwalya is a dedicated Occupational Health and Safety Officer with a strong background in mining safety. He began his career as a Youth Counselor in 2010 before transitioning into the mining industry in 2019 as a Mine Police Officer at NFC Africa Mining. Recognised as the Young Safety Practitioner of the Year by WSHAsia in 2023, he is passionate about advocating for workplace safety, effective risk management, and fostering a culture of safety in industrial environments. His expertise includes psychosocial counseling, community engagement, and effective communication, making him a strong advocate for holistic safety approaches.

In 2024, he made significant contributions to occupational health and safety at NFC Africa Mining. He participated in the company’s first-ever safety speech competition during Safety Month, representing the Mine Police department. Competing against over 30 contestants, including contractors from Epiroc, Sandvik, Reliant, and JCHX, he reached the finals and used the platform to advocate for safer workplaces, effective risk management, and a positive safety culture. His dedication to safety leadership earned him a nomination in the WSHAsia Outstanding Safety Practitioner Award 2024. Beyond the workplace, he actively promotes safety awareness through his Facebook page, where he runs a campaign called Everyday Safety Matters with Miselo Justin Bwalya. Through this platform, he engages with a wider audience, sharing safety tips, insights, and best practices to encourage a proactive approach to workplace and community safety. Additionally, he plays a key role in reinforcing health and safety standards within NFC Africa Mining, strengthening the culture of safety and advocating for continuous improvement in workplace safety practices.

He has implemented several key Workplace Safety and Health initiatives at NFC Africa Mining. He led the company’s first-ever safety speech competition during Safety Month, where employees and contractors shared safety practices and raised awareness about key safety issues. This initiative helped create a positive safety culture and encouraged active participation from all stakeholders. He also promoted safety awareness through his Everyday Safety Matters with Miselo Justin Bwalya campaign on Facebook, where he shared safety tips and best practices, encouraging employees to take safety seriously every day. Additionally, he worked with different departments to improve emergency response procedures and ensure everyone was well-informed about workplace safety. These efforts strengthened the overall safety culture and reinforced the importance of a safe working environment for all employees and contractors.

His influencing capability has been crucial in the successful implementation of safety initiatives at NFC Africa Mining. By leading the company’s first-ever safety speech competition during Safety Month, he inspired employees and contractors to actively engage in safety conversations, fostering a shared responsibility for workplace safety. His ability to communicate effectively and motivate others to embrace safety practices helped ensure widespread participation, making the event a success. Through his Everyday Safety Matters with Miselo Justin Bwalya campaign on Facebook, he was able to reach a wider audience and influence behavior beyond the workplace. By consistently sharing practical safety tips and engaging with employees on a personal level, he built trust and encouraged them to prioritise safety in their daily lives. Additionally, his collaborative approach with different departments allowed him to influence key decision-makers and integrate safety practices into everyday operations. He made sure that safety was seen not just as a set of rules but as an essential part of their work culture. His ability to connect with people, inspire action, and maintain a focus on continuous improvement has been pivotal in creating a safer and more aware working environment.

His initiatives had a significant impact on the safety and health management at NFC Africa Mining, surpassing expectations and making a lasting difference. The first-ever safety speech competition during Safety Month not only raised awareness, but also ignited a proactive approach to safety across the workforce. By involving employees and contractors in open discussions about safety, he helped create a stronger sense of ownership and responsibility, which directly contributed to a safer working environment. The Everyday Safety Matters with Miselo Justin Bwalya campaign on Facebook amplified this impact by reaching a broader audience, encouraging individuals to take daily actions to improve safety. This initiative fostered a community-wide culture of safety, where employees were more mindful of hazards and proactive in preventing accidents, both on and off the job. Additionally, his efforts to improve emergency response procedures and integrate safety practices into daily operations helped strengthen the overall safety culture at NFC Africa Mining. These actions went beyond compliance, creating a more engaged and safety-conscious workforce that continuously strives for improvements in health and safety standards. As a result, the workplace saw a reduction in accidents and a heightened commitment to maintaining a safe, healthy work environment.

A safety influencer should have attributes such as effective communication, leadership, empathy, and consistency. They should inspire action, stay informed about safety practices, and be proactive in promoting a culture of safety. He has demonstrated these attributes through his Everyday Safety Matters with Miselo Justin Bwalya campaign, where he consistently share safety tips and encourage proactive behavior. As a leader in the safety speech competition at NFC Africa Mining, he motivated others to engage in safety discussions, fostering a collaborative safety culture. His empathy allowed him to address workers' concerns and offer practical solutions. Through consistent efforts, he has built trust and positively impacted safety standards, aligning with the values of the WSHAsia Safety Influencer Award.