Keeping employees safe is an essential part of the Fulton Hogan Hiways (FHH) safety training programme, according to FHH Safety, Quality, Training and Environmental Manager, John Tinsley.

Mr Tinsley said, “It is FHH policy to ensure that all employees receive the proper, appropriate training in all areas that impact their safety.

“We engaged the services of a specialist trainer from the National Fire Authority, (NFA), who facilitated a two-day, Working on Heights course for 19 of the FHH Central Division workforce.”

NFA Sub–Officer, Commercial Trainer, Chris Tawakeniqila, said that the training emphasised the need for communication among everyone on a worksite, as well as practical aspects such as rescue knots and hitches, preventative methods, different types of protection and the use of ladders and safety management.

“The training ensures that safety management is conducted on a daily basis by all those taking part in heights operations,” Mr Tawakeniqila said.

“It is important to remember that often heights work takes place in confined spaces, so these are also a safety consideration to keep in mind.

“The response from the trainees was really great, and it was really remarkable to see that these men were already very particular about safety in work areas, even though they haven’t done heights training before.”

The 19 men will be certified by the National Fire Authority for successfully completing the course.

Mr Tinsley said, “provision of working at heights training is part of our ongoing commitment to employee safety and reduction of workplace risks.

“Only employees who have done this training will be able conduct work at heights for FHH.”

Mr Tinsley added that there was an ongoing programme to ensure regular work at heights training was available to those employees who required it and those who supervised working at heights tasks.

Source: Fulton Hogan Hiways

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj