A SAFETY culture is the “attitude, beliefs, perceptions and values that employees share in relation to safety in the workplace.”
Ensuring the safety culture at the St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) is understood and maintained by every employee and contractor is the fundamental tenet that informs the now 21 year old observance of Health and Safety Month. And because culture is ever changing, what began as a one week observance focused only on health and safety has since grown to one month with a focus on health, safety, environment and fire awareness.
Safety, Environment and Fire Awareness Month.
LUCELEC observes health and safety month in March. Speaking at the official launch of the month, LUCELEC Chief Engineer Goodwin d’Auvergne said the company was currently conducting a review of its health and safety practices. The review would take place this year and would result in a revamped health and safety programme.
d’Auvergne also spoke of the company’s 2016 Safety Record where similar to 2015, there was one reportable accident (resulting in three or more lost days at work). The Chief Engineer challenged staff to duplicate what had been accomplished in 2013 when the company recorded no accidents for the entire year. For this to happen he says, everyone has to get involved.
“We must reflect on the importance we place on health and safety. It is our responsibility to ensure we each play our part in maintaining the safety chain,” he says.
The featured speaker at the ceremony was Pastor Dr.Phil Leon who delivered a passionate and compelling argument for the pursuit of a safety culture. Pastor Leon reminded staff “you are valuable” and so “your health and safety should be first before anything else”. He also focused on the service LUCELEC provided to the country telling staff “your health and safety is very important to every citizen, not just yourself”.
The theme for the 21st LUCELEC Health, Safety, Environment and Fire Awareness activities is “Health and Safety that works every time for everyone.”