28 May 2015, Macau

In order to endow CEM contractors with better understanding towards occupational safety and health as well as preventive measures for work-related accidents, CEM and Macau Labour Affairs Bureau jointly organized a two-day “Safety Training for Contractors” on 27 and 28 May, attracting over 100 employees from CEM’s contractors to participate.

Ângelo Tavares, Network Construction Manager of CEM Network Planning, Design and Construction Department, said in his speech that CEM has been taking occupational safety and health very seriously. It conducts safety checkups regularly and adopts appropriate preventive measures. It also implements health and safety policy according to the management system which is up to the international standards and systematically incorporate safety measures into every aspect of its business operations. CEM believes occupational injury is avoidable and “zero accidents” is achievable. Site safety is not an action but a usual practice. Therefore, CEM continues to promote occupational safety and health through various activities and strives to achieve the goal of zero accidents with concerted efforts of its employees and the industry. At last, he expressed his gratitude to the Labour Affairs Bureau for its support to co-organize the training.

With the support of the Labour Affairs Bureau, CEM introduced safety training for contractors for the first time in 2014, which received enthusiastic responses. Therefore, the two parties launched the training course again this year. Chui Ka Shing, Lei Seak Chio, Tam Hoi Keng and Sou Kuok Fai, Occupational Safety & Health Department Senior Technicians of Labour Affairs Bureau, as well as Eddey Chan, Network Design and Construction Senior Engineer of CEM Network Planning, Design and Construction Department were the speakers of the training.

Representatives of the Labour Affairs Bureau offered an in-depth analysis of serious work accidents happened in Macau last year with a view to boosting industry insiders’ safety awareness. Besides, they also introduced the operational safety of electric tools and their working principles, features and risks, shared with them tips to identify possible risks before using electric tools, safety usage and proper protection of the tools, as well as introduced collective protective measures and individual protective equipment for electric tool users.

Eddey Chan introduced to the attendees the necessary safety conditions when an operator is working nearby or directly touching the low voltage distribution board, and explained that risk evaluation must be done before the start of related work, including conducting safety check to see if the board is in good condition, and if there is water in the board and so on. Besides, adequate preparation is also paramount, which includes required tools must be placed in the appropriate distance, having proper protection equipment used in work involving direct contacts, and keeping the way to the emergency exit clear with no obstructions. He also gave advice about the installation of the board and fuse puller.

As a responsible company, CEM organizes different trainings each year, to ensure all employees and contractors are clear about the company’s occupational safety and health policy. In 2014, 3,228 hours of safety training were provided to its employees. “Safety Training for Contractors” helped to extend the safety awareness of CEM employees to the contractors. During the last decade, CEM has been regularly organizing its employees to participate in safety activities, to establish and promote a safety culture and observe the safety behavior of employees.