When we talk about ‘Go for Zero’ it’s so much more than just tracking numbers and improving safety performance on paper; it’s about our people and making sure that we look out for each other. As Aliaxis Spain’s Health and Safety Manager, one of my top goals is to empower our people to develop safer mind-sets and support sites in adopting and sharing best practices.
It’s an on-going process, but an important one no less. That’s why I’d like to share how two of our Spanish sites dedicated some time in May this year to making their workplaces safer for their people and encouraging a more proactive mind-set towards health and safety.
Aliaxis Alicante took advantage of a planned operational shutdown leading to have a third-party company come in and provide some hands-on training in Working at Heights & Rescue, First Aid, and the safe use of electrical and mechanical equipment in hazardous areas. Employees also took part in Fire Fighting training, which made use of an eco-friendly fire truck and water fire extinguishers, and for the first time included a female member of the fire brigade. Moreover, the two-day shutdown gave the team a chance to engage in preventative and corrective maintenance activities, as well as general housekeeping. Needless to say, it was a great opportunity to strengthen their safety culture and put people first.
Safety culture was also front and centre at Aliaxis Okondo, where the site organised a Health & Safety Day to coincide with the World Day for Safety and Health at Work. It also involved an operational shutdown, with housekeeping actions and workplace organisation to improve both safety and workflow in the site’s manufacturing area. Employees attended a toolbox talk led by our Spanish Health & Safety team, where everyone aligned on the motivation behind the Health & Safety Day, and the expectations they have moving forward. Again, it was a great way to engage our people and take steps towards achieving our broader safety goals.
It’s safe to say that these initiatives were a success, and moving forward, I think both sites are set up for more growth in this critical area of our operations. Safety has to be a common language we all speak, and a common culture we all live on a day-to-day basis. Let’s keep the conversation going and keep each other at the centre of our ‘Go for Zero’ goal.
By Pedro Francisco López
Health and Safety Manager Aliaxis Spain
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