LUCELEC had the largest contingent at the recently held Occupational and Health Safety (OSH) Seminar. Company safety officers also participated in a major way. In fact, the HSESO says the team’s participation was “vital” to the success of the training, with excellent participation in both the presentations and social activities.
Health and Safety Committee member Ronald Baptiste was one of two team members who did presentations. Speaking on the qualities of an ideal Fleet Safety Program, his presentation was very well received and generated much discussion. It was his first time representing the company at that level. Of the experience, he said it was a good opportunity and learning one at that.
Ronald spoke from his personal experience as a driver (including with vehicular accidents) in the company’s fleet. He says participants were particularly pleased with that perspective as it was not one they often heard. His presentation highlighted the necessity for written policies in a Fleet Safety Program and pointed out enforcement should be a team effort with “buy in” from senior management. He also proposed a new approach to accident investigations and possible measures to discipline, train and reward company drivers. The conference was an experience he looks forward to having again.
“The Chief Engineer who was in attendance during my presentation, shook my hand after and told me that I had made LUCELEC proud and represented the company well. I got to interact with CEOs, Managers, Supervisors and Line Staff – everyone had something of importance to say and I learnt something new each day. I’m thankful for the opportunity I was afforded to be a part of this conference and I look forward to representing LUCELEC again in 2020.”
Ronald attended the two sessions from the CARILEC CEO’s conference that was offered as part of the OSH seminar. He said one of those struck a code and highlighted how advanced the company was in terms of its disaster preparedness. It also allowed him to compare the company and other utilities – providing a sense of things we had done well and where there was need for improvement.
The head of the Safety Committee, HSESO Priscilia Stanislas was the other member of the team who made a presentation. She presented on “The Real Cost of An Accident, Legal and Financial Implications, Insurance Preparedness, Employee Awareness, Safety Training and Leadership.” She was also part of a three-person panel discussion on “Utilities taking stock on Environmental Management: Standards, Systems, Gaps: Where are we now?”, moderated one presentation, participated in the CARILEC OSH officers meeting and represented the company at the Disasters coordinators meeting.
