One Luzon E-Magazine

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Promoting highland vegetable industry

Industrial safety SAFETY First!

Such notice with the green cross sign is usually visibly posted in work areas. Protection gears like helmet, goggles, gloves and boots are required for workers especially in danger zones. The safety of the worker is paramount management cannot exchange it for profit. Thus a safety department is a major component of any company, be it industrial, mining and the like.

But more than just a reminder, management should lead in ways to prevent occurrence of accidents. It is sad to note that some companies, perhaps thinking of raking in more profits, sacrifice the welfare of their workers. This is not to be the case. Else, accidents occur.

The tragedy that struck the Keppel shipyard in Subic, Zambales, prompted the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to conduct a briefing on safe shipyard practices for companies in the maritime and shipbuilding sector at the free port.

Marine and terminal operations expert Norberto Sosa of SBMA made a presentation on standard safety procedures in shipyard operations. He told locators to exert extra efforts to keep the industry safe and help erase the country's image as a disaster-prone country.

“We are being known for maritime disasters. I do not want that to continue,” Sosa was quoted as telling the locators. “We should always prevent accidents. However, if prevention fails, we must be prepared for emergencies and we should be able to manage crises.”

The SBMA official also emphasized that business locators there should place safety in an equal footing with business objectives or profits.

A committee was organized by the SBMA to conduct safety inspections of the different shipyards and drydocks in the free port which is now host to several shipbuilding and repair companies, including Hanjin Heavy Industries, Co., Ltd., the fourth largest shipbuilder in the world and the largest in the Philippines. Unfortunately, Hanjin workers figured in several accidents before. ns of the different shipyards and drydocks in the free port which is now host to several shipbuilding and repair companies, including Hanjin Heavy Industries, Co., Ltd., the fourth largest shipbuilder in the world and the largest in the Philippines. Unfortunately, Hanjin workers figured in several accidents before.

The safety departments of these locators and any other firms in the country should be very active in pursuing their tasks. Constant reminders in safety meetings will do. Management too should provide all the needed equipment and facilities to prevent accidents. And if accidents occur due to some reasons, the company concerned is prepared to take immediate action to preserve the lives and limbs of its workers. Danny O. Sagun, PIA-1

HOLCIM La Union Coffee Talk held at Thunderbird Resort, San Fernando City

"Tipon-Tipan sa PIA" with Edna S.P. Marallag, Regional Manager- Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, Region 2.

Ginoo at Mutya ning Angeles, Pampanga

Provincial/ City Mining Regulatory Board Summit with the DENR-MGB National Assistant Director Elmer Billedo at MGB-CAR Conference Hall, Baguio City

,PDI

by: BAS/DA

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