“YOU are the reward to your family.”

This was the message of Dwight P. Avila, head of environment and safety unit of Taiheiyo Cement Philippines Inc. (TCPI), to regular employees and outsourced workers when TCPI observed its 2019 Safety Week celebration.

Avila pointed out that the workers’ diligence in following safety rules would ensure that they would go home every day unscathed.

TCPI recently observed the activity to promote safety consciousness with the theme “I choose to work safely” to eliminate or minimize risks and to safeguard workers at the plant at all times.

The company refreshed its personnel’s knowledge through seminars on handling and maintenance of personal protective equipment, behavioral based safety and healthy lifestyle in the workplace.

They took part in a firefighting competition, while packing staff Anastacio T. Caño emerged winner in the slogan-writing contest with “Kung ikaw Nakahibalo, nga ang Kinabuhi walay Presyo, Pili-a ug i-Siguro ang Luwas nga Pagtrabaho (If you know life has no price, choose and ensure safety at work).”

“If we stop, safety will be complacent and mediocre and again incidents will occur. Let us change our mindset to inculcate good practices in safety,” Avila said.

“Communicate clearly our safety rules and challenge to improve our behavior towards good working attitude. Always choose to work safely,” he added.

Initiatives

TCPI first instituted the celebration of the Safety Week five years ago after the 7.2 magnitude earthquake centered in Bohol in October 2013 and super typhoon Yolanda in November of the same year.

At the time, the company wanted to give more emphasis on safety through a celebration even if it had been undertaking initiatives like conducting safety patrols, adhering to the safety 24 principle and continuous safety education.

Employees also embraced Kiken Yochi (hazard prediction), a Japanese discipline to recognize and predict hazards, and further develop sensitivity to unsafe conditions or hazardous situations.

Doing it right

Sought for their thoughts on safety, production staff member Zaldy Oliver Razo said: “When I see someone doing not right, I correct them and say, ‘Just letting you know, to keep you (and everyone else) safe.’ It’s everybody’s job.”

“It is our choice to work safely. We want to make sure everyone on the job site is safe, not only the regular employees but also the outsourced workers,” said Stephen Sobrevilla of the mechanical maintenance unit.

Rey Sumayang of mechanical services said: “Starting the day right with our morning safety meeting. We get the members to participate early (so that) they become more comfortable calling things out and watching each other’s back.”

“Continue to focus on the basics (safety rules) of each task to make sure we don’t get hurt or become complacent (so that) we go home the way we came in,” said Ronald Manuel of electrical instrumentation. S