VINLEC launches Safety Month

Employees of VINLEC were encouraged to keep their health in check as well as adhere to safety regulations on the job as VINLEC launched its Safety Month on Tuesday, May 2.{{more}}

The launch took place at the Cane Hall Engineering Complex. The Safety Month will be held under the theme “Live Healthy-Work Safely”.

Giving the keynote address at the ceremony, Chairman of the VINLEC Board René Baptiste encouraged the employees present to take care of themselves and to adapt a healthy lifestyle.

Addressing the females in the audience, Baptiste, a former Minister of Government, stated that women usually put their health on the back burner and become occupied with taking care of their children, sometimes forgetting or neglecting their health.

Baptiste further stated that diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer and heart diseases have raised their ugly heads in the Caribbean region. These diseases, she said, have become “fashionable like the first world.”

She also noted that persons have changed their eating habits, are no longer eating vegetables, even while doctors highlight that vegetables are essential. Baptiste pointed out that consuming processed foods sold in supermarkets has become a norm. “We quickly go to the supermarket and we pull the processed foods off the shelf and we forget a good “boilean” with green bananas,” she said.

Baptiste also noted that there is a decline in exercise and involvement in sporting activities. She further highlighted the importance of women making checks for breast cancer, doing self- examinations and doctor visits.

Turning her attention to the men, Baptiste also implored them to check their health. She stressed on theart diseases and encouraged the men to become active in sports and other exercise activity.

On the issue of HIV/AIDS, Baptiste stated that knowing your status is important, adding that at times denial is often associated with the disease as persons may think that they can never get the disease. “Know your status, it is worth it to be clear and clean, and it is even more valuable to be clear. If you’re not, it is not a death sentence, unless you allow it to be,” she said.

She also encouraged employees present to adhere to safety regulations at their workplace, adding that the working environment should be examined in every detail. Baptiste also encouraged the employees to wear safety equipment as directed.

Chief Executive Officer of VINLEC Thornley Myers urged the employees present to redouble their efforts in making the work environment a safe one. He added that it is the desire that the employees of the organization use the Safety Month to get acquainted with things they may sometimes overlook.

“I’m saying to you as an organization, let us redouble our efforts and dedicate ourselves that every day we get here, we follow all the procedures outlined by the organization to ensure that we work in a healthy and safe environment,” Myers said.

The ceremony also saw a presentation to Kenroy “Buddha’ Richardson, an employee of VINLEC who was affected by the recent flash floods in the northern section of the island. Song renditions were also done as well as the launch of the Safety Exhibitions.

Activities during the month include first aid and CPR workshops, Public Education Programmes, Seminars on Disaster Preparedness as well as Public Speaking Competition, Drama Competition and Safety Awards.