Addax Petroleum insist on safety of workers

Addax Petroleum also known as APCC in acronym, October 31 organized a special day on Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) with special emphasis on safety to further acclimatize and capacitate their workforce in what they themed «STAYING FOCUSED», at their new naval base office in Douala.

In addressing Addax Petroleum, more than thirty contractors during their morning workshop session, the President General Manager of APCC, Roger Beaumont stressed on management’s involvement in HSSE and that the workshop clearly demonstrated their unflagging commitment towards safety and the minimization of risks by staying focused on their jobs and any other thing they are doing.

He went on to say that Management and the contractors are partners as their attendance demonstrates. All the company wants is to see to it that their workers get to work safely and also return home safely by staying focused. He advised that the organization of the workforce should be a priority and if these workers have doubts or worries they should stop and ask questions but they should remain vigilant.

The PGM stated that the nature of their sector has explosive or inflammable characteristics, that is why it is necessary for workers to stay focused in supervision in order to avoid some unfortunate incidents even though such incidents are on the downward trend.

So, he continued, there is only one way to remain safe by organizing sessions like this one with the goal of avoiding these situations. He then enjoined contractors to choose qualified workers in their domains, and urged them to participate actively in the workshop, so that others could share.

The ADDAX Petroleum Official, Chrispin, who presented a roadmap of the workshop among many other topics, stated that investigations show that the majority of the workforce at high risk comes rather from the contractors.

He stated that staying focused which actually means; to be capable, competent and experienced, to take care of others, can help the company take the right decisions and help the workers keep off distractions, lack of concentration and stress, so, the APCC spokesman told contractors to desist from applying too much pressure and stress on their workers.

Other factors which contribute to the exposure of risks, he said, were inadequacies like lack of work standard decisions, inadequate supervision, and a host of others even though fatal incidents dropped to a four-year period low. He cited the 2013 platform accident as unfortunate adding that these are situations to avoid if everyone is focused. There was a question and answer session.

35 or so companies were grouped into 6 groups to brainstorm on lifting and hoisting, land transport, maritime transport, security, catering and hygiene and waste management after which some benchmarking on safety was realized by benefiting the different groups.

Speaking to Head of Safety and Environment, Jean Adjoumisi, on the Safety Workshop, he said it was necessary to raise awareness and to help the contractors stay safe and remain focused "It’s not only to write good procedures but also share and implement by reducing the risks and accidents. You can see that accidents are more on the side of our contractors and to tell you the truth, they are burdensome to compensate…I mean, this costs a lot to the company".

On the norms, he said "International norms which are recognized are adopted if there is no such rule locally, but each contractor adapts to their own situation, so harmonizing this is difficult, but I agree with you, it’s doable. On insurance, there are some good things but since the contractor is more exposed to risks it is a challenge; that is why we need to help them instead by avoiding certain situations. All the same, the accidents are not regular and we do not even want these to exist at all."

As for the reactions of the GM of Gas Security Services, a contractor, it was all praises and appreciation to the company commitments to HSSE affairs. The PGM, Roger Beaumont cut the ribbon to start off activities marking the 2014 edition celebrations of the Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) day for the non contractor workforce of the company.

In a matter of minutes after a rundown of the afternoon’s programme by the MC Bernard Bisong he appealed to everyone to be very attentive, patient and remain focused.

Senior Manager Chrispin reiterated to the staff on the concept and meaning of staying focused especially to do ones’ job well, to stay alive, to be safe, to be healthy and to intervene during suspect situations. "It means you have to be empowered to take decisions, to be capable, to be competent." That is why, he continued, « everyone needs to be focused also for their security because HSSE is an everyday affair.» Chrispin revealed alarming statistics showing that 4.7 million injured workers and another 5.000 will die this year but there is hope, he continued, brewing through the avoidance policy as themed.

So he emphasized that instead of being passive, caring for your friend and neighbour can overturn great dangers. He advised that the end of the year should not be a distraction.

The PGM thanked everyone for the impressive attendance, and appreciated the efforts of the entire staff in doing their best to reduce risks thanks to management’s good policy but observed that the contractors who constitute 80% of their workforce, are at the front line of great risk reasons why sensitization has to continue in both camps of the same company by staying focused even in their private lives.

Beaumont then commented positively on the expected demonstrations and the preceding workshop but criticised some incidents that occurred on contractors camps where some of the workers were victimized because of lack of focus. He promised more on safety in the very short-run. Demonstrations that followed were on aspects of firefighting, safe systems and what happens after non compliance of such procedures, combating HIV /AIDS through the use of condoms and others on the environment.

In a press briefing after visits to stands by all, the PGM Roger Beaumont, when asked by the press whether they attained the objectives of this day, said he has seen the enthusiasm of the workforce in action. He has personally learned a lot of things which he hopes to include in subsequent exercises.