Corporacion Multi Inversiones recently issued the following announcement.
The promotion of a culture of Health and Safety at Work (SST) to help reduce the number of deaths and injuries in workplaces worldwide, turned 100 years.
The International Labor Organization (ILO) celebrated World Day for Safety and Health at Work on April 28, in order to continue the campaign that began in 1919 to prevent occupational accidents and diseases worldwide.
The ILO will present a report in the coming weeks that captures the evolution of OSH in the last century, from its foundation in 1919 to 2019, in which lives have been saved in safe and healthy work environments.
According to the ILO, every year, more than 374 million people suffer injuries or illnesses due to work-related accidents and the loss of working days means almost 4% of world GDP, hence the importance of OSH.
In Guatemala, during 2018, the Guatemalan Institute of Social Security (IGSS) detected 38,000 work-related accidents (does not include illnesses), according to the Safety and Hygiene and Accident Prevention Unit of the IGSS.
Andrea Ulín, president of the Industrial Safety and Occupational Health Union of the CIG, says that the application of the SST allows for safe workplaces that generate well-being for the employees of a company.
While work is essential, it helps to improve the quality of life of people, it can also be dangerous and unhealthy, if the risks to health and safety are not managed properly.
Investment in SST
One of the examples of investment in the industrial and occupational safety of its employees in Guatemala is the case of the Renace Hydroelectric Complex , which has certification in three international standards, one of them specific on Health and Safety at Work.
Renace and its central offices have implemented and maintain a system that meets international standards requirements, in Quality (ISO 9001, version 2015), Environment (ISO 14001, version 2015), and Occupational Health and Safety (OHSAS 18001, 2007 version). ).
Infographic: David Urbina / Republic
Since 2014, the management of Renace decided to implement an Integrated Management System. Obtaining the tri certification in 2018, took a work of 36 months, US $ 850 thousand were invested and 220 collaborators participated.
Juan Carlos Méndez, CEO of CMI Energía, indicates that they have endeavored to implement the best management practices in all their hydraulic, wind and solar operations, since the creation of the Energy Unit of Corporación Multi Inversiones in 2008.
"The safety of our employees is part of our excellence. These actions allow us to position ourselves as the most important generator of electricity with clean and renewable sources in the Central American region, "explains Méndez.
Better work climate
Companies seek to create management systems that ensure safety and occupational health. The OHSAS 18001: 2007 is a recognized international standard that allows managing the prevention of occupational risks.
The certification in OHSAS 18001: 2007 is a process carried out by an external institution, to verify that a company complies with the requirements on safety and health management systems.
Implementing and certifying the management system of a company will always have a positive impact on the organization, since it allows the development of the safety and health culture among the organization's personnel.
In addition, the potential reduction in the number of accidents and the time lost in production and the guarantee of compliance with the legal requirements of application and those requirements subscribed by the company itself.
Also, reducing the financial burden by offsetting the loss of production time, paying fines or penalties for non-compliance with legislation.
Improves work spaces, gains the image of the company, as well as relations with its customers, public authorities and other interested parties.
A certified organization with an occupational safety standard requires verifying compliance with the standard each year, and in the third year, a re-certification of OHSAS 18001 is required, the last update of which dates from 2007.
Challenges and opportunities
The world of work goes through profound changes. New technologies, changing demographics, climate change and the green economy will bring challenges and opportunities for safety and health.
According to the ILO, although there are many challenges for Health and Safety at Work. It is important that governments, employers and workers take advantage of opportunities to create a safe and healthy future for all.
Information and photography by Republic
Original source: https://www.cmi.co/es/item/447-un-siglo-de-prevenirse-los-accidentes-y-enfermedades-en-el-trabajo
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