GRIDCO acquires defibrillators

The Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCO) has procured two defibrillators to resuscitate staff in case of an emergency.

Mr William Amuna, Chief Executive of GRIDCO, announced this in a speech read on his behalf during the company's 2014 annual safety week celebration.

Mr Amuna stated that the defibrillators would be used to resuscitate staff who might suffer cardiac-arrest at the work place.

He indicated that staff were being trained to use the equipment, adding that his outfit was determined to procure a defibrillator for each of its seven operational areas.

He added that the procurement of the equipment by the Network Performance Department was a show of management's commitment to staff safety.

The GRIDCO CEO added that 10 safety coordinators from all its operational areas have received training on the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health.

In order to keep up with international safety standards in its operations, Mr Amuna said they have commenced the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS 18001) Certification process for the company's safety management system.

He reminded staff to take personal responsibility to act safely, communicate safety concerns and modify their behaviour based on lessons learnt from past mistakes.

He observed that “research has shown that when management encourages good health and safety practices at the workplace, it brings down hospital bills, reduces sick leave, also reduces damage to property and ultimately leads to high productivity among workers".

Mr Eric Asare, Director, Network and Performance, said the theme, "Creating and sustaining a safety and healthy culture. Know safety, no injury" was appropriate because there was the need for continuous effort towards achieving an accident free work environment.

Mr Asare indicated that GRIDCO recorded three minor and one major accidents between the third quarter of 2013 and the third quarter of this year.

There were fraternal messages from the Electricity Company of Ghana, Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO), Volta River Authority, and the Sunon Asogli Plant.

The occasion was also used to award the Procurement, Gridhouse, and System Control Departments for emerging third, second and first in that order, in the non operational category of the Work Area Safety Committee Awards (WASACO).

The operational category awards went to Akosombo, Tamale, and Techiman areas, for emerging third, second and first in that order.