Health and safety; top priority at Lafarge drivers’ workshop

Friday, 21 June 2013 03:56 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Drivers transporting cement for Lafarge were educated on safe driving and health and safety measures at the recently held annual get-together for drivers and helpers, organised by Lafarge Mahaweli Cement at Hotel Sapphire in Wellawatte. More than 300 drivers took part in the event were educated on the importance of adhering to traffic rules, proper maintenance of lorries (tires,

lights, brakes, etc) and adopting safety measures when transporting cement. They were also given insight into “defensive driving” that included a wide range of safety tips. The lecture on health and safety was conducted by Health and Safety Consultant Janaka Chammika. “Although we work around the clock, we never get a chance to mingle with other drivers. Most of the time, we operate in isolation. Therefore, this get-together creates a tremendous platform for us to get to know our colleagues and spend time with them. This is the third annual get-together organised by Lafarge and I’ve been part of this programme since inception,” said Lasantha Pieris, a driver from Panadura, who has worked with Lafarge for more than 10 years. O.V. Deepal, a driver from Matugama noted that the emphasis it gives on ‘security’ is the most important aspect of the event. “We are drivers and we spend most of our time on roads, travelling from one place to another. Hence, the insight this gives us into security is of great value. At the end of the day, our ultimate hope is to lead a secure and peaceful life. For that, road safety is the key,” he said adding that the health and safety aspect of the programme is a value addition to the annual get-together. “Many corporates turn a blind eye to the welfare those who form the operational level of the company. They only look at upper tiers. In that context, the initiative made by Lafarge to organise a get-together for drivers and helpers is commendable. As much as it provides education and entertainment, it also gives a strong message to other companies,” Ramachandra, a driver from Mathugama added. Lafarge Head of Sales and Marketing Susantha Perera said that drivers and helpers form one of the most important parts of Lafarge’s operations. “We, as a business, heavily depend on our drivers and helpers. They play a major role in the organisations functions and they are the ones who take our product to the market. Therefore, it is our responsibility to look into the welfare of them.” The core objective behind organising a get-together of this nature, according to Perera, was to raise safety standards and give recognition and value to the service rendered by drivers and helpers. Awards were presented to the drivers and helpers based on a five-month long evaluation of the quantities of cement delivered by them island wide. The same evaluation will be continued for the next three months as well, (April, May and June) and awards will be presented to best performers.