Published December 04, 2009 09:16
Meatco Namibia’s Tannery and Okapuka Feedlot were recently awarded with a three star platinum certification for safety excellence by the National Occupational Safety Association (NOSA).
In October 2009 conducted audits at the abovementioned Meatco business units as well as the Windhoek, Okahandja and Oshakati factories.
NOSA is a global occupational risks management service provider that works toward reducing injuries and fatalities in the workplace, more specifically in the industrial sectors. It is a leader in occupational health, safety and hygiene, environmental management, quality management, behavior-based safety, HIV/Aids management in the workplace and social responsibility and sustainability.
Some of the areas brought under scrutiny during the recent audits at Meatco included risk assessment, human behavior control, visible leadership, continuous improvement and safety and health and environmental standards integration.
Meatco, in November last year, adopted the Safety, Health and Environmental Management System (SHE) and according to the Group Safety Manager, Mr. Mieszko Thomas, it was adhering to and meeting these legal compliance requirements that contributed to the three star achievements.
Most importantly however, he said, it was the complete commitment from all Meatco staff, and the Senior Management, CEO and Board of Directors to provide a healthy and safe work environment for all employees.
One of the areas of improvement identified was the implementation of an environmental management system to meet excellence in environmental performance.
Also, Meatco facilitates medical aid and services on behalf of employees and it was suggested that this area be improved by shifting from medical facilitation to occupational medical surveillance.
Mr. Thomas added that a Continuous Safety Improvement Process has meanwhile been put in place that forms the final characteristic of an effective safety management system. This is a process-oriented approach that emphasizes contributions to long-range, permanent solutions.
“I believe Meatco, as an organization, demonstrates its commitment to safety excellence as a foundation to be built on. This is thus an exciting challenge and one of many to come”.
Mr. Thomas says the growing demand for safety excellence at Meatco is paramount. “I believe that leadership demonstrates a strong, genuine, continuous and personal commitment and that is exactly what we do at Meatco. Safety is a team effort and it’s at the heart of our business.”