NCS Driver Safety Program

NSC is developing a new Driver Safety Program to be introduced at all project sites in early 2010. The aim is to further improve NCS driver education and awareness and improve its safety record whilst on the road.

Group Operations Manager, Brian Curran, said “Ensuring the health and safety of staff is our number one priority. Helping improve the competency and experience of our drivers and minimising lost time, vehicle damage and any potential for loss of lives is imperative.”

The program will reinforce staff responsibilities for company vehicles, passengers, cargo, other drivers and the general community as well as include road competency tests and compliance tracking of drivers’ licences, vehicle registration and safety sticker renewals.

In addition, forklift and sea craft operating procedures will be included with focus on the following Accident Prevention Formula:

1. Recognise the hazard

2. Understand the defence

3. Act in time.

All NCS drivers will be required to complete the program and participate in toolbox talks, video and power point presentations. Drivers at NCS sites in Morobe and Madang Provinces will be the first to undertake the program.

Proactive Response to Cholera Outbreak

As news of the Cholera outbreak in Papua New Guinea spread, NCS Project Managers took immediate and proactive steps to ward off any on-site threat.

When news broke of a State of Emergency being implemented due to the outbreak in Wasa, Morobe Province, NCS acted immediately to ensure steps were taken to prevent any occurrence of the highly contagious disease.

An urgent memo was distributed to all sites at 8 am and within the hour news was received that water testing and reinforcement of hygiene standards and procedures were immediately actioned.

When Cholera was reported to have spread to Lae it caused some panic, particularly for staff and students of the University of Technology, one of NCS’s sites. In order to address this, an information forum was convened by the student body to inform and reassure that the issue was being taken care of with the utmost urgency.

NCS Project Manager, Allan Atava, was asked to present at the forum. “My role was to give assurance and guarantee that their meal at the mess was safe for consumption” Allan said. “I spoke about the systems we have in place in food management and the guidelines we follow in food and personal hygiene”. Three doctors also presenting spoke specifically about the disease, its symptoms and precautionary measures.

Over 1,000 people attended the forum. Marcus Gosling, NCS Executive Director, said “After initial talk of closing the University down, the outcome was very good. It was an important way to calm people down after a day of panic.”

NCS Lihir achieves a remarkable safety milestone

The team at NCS Lihir has achieved a remarkable safety milestone of 5.3 million man hours without a single Lost Time Injury (LTI)

NCS Lihir’s Project OHSE Coordinator, Jeremiah Taksir, says this outstanding achievement was made possible because all employees, from supervisors to crew members, take the issue of safety very seriously.

“Our motto that ‘Safety is everyone’s responsibility’ is something that we take very personally. We don’t just talk about it; we take action, whether it is through training, safety talks, inspections, or adhering to our safety systems.

This fantastic result is proof of that,” he says. NCS Lihir has 26 safety representatives working within each work section to ensure that safety procedures and requirements are adhered to at all levels.

Recognising the milestone, Lihir Gold Executive General Manager, Noel Foley, personally thanked NCS Lihir Project Manager, Gus McKenzie.

“Thank you and your team for your commitment to NCS’ safety ideals. It is a pleasure to have you as one of our valuable partners in our business.”

LGL Director, Peter Cassidy was equally complimentary. In a letter written on behalf of the LGL Board, he said that the achievement “sets the benchmark for all employees and business partners throughout LGL’s operations in PNG, Australia and Africa.”

NCS General Manager, Marcus Gosling, says the successful result is one that he is extremely proud of.

“This is an incredible accomplishment by any company’s standards. It amounts to over four
years without any lost time injuries and is a credit to the staff and their safe work habits. It demonstrates their tremendous commitment to safe work practices. Congratulations. Let’s keep up the great safety focus.”

GADONA DECEMBER 2008