26 January 2018, Manila, Philippines—The operator of LRT-1, Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), announced its record achievement of five million safe man-hours for its employees without a Lost Time Injury (LTI) as of October 31, 2017. The company said that the milestone mirrors the management’s efforts in creating a safe environment for LRT-1 employees.
An LTI is an injury suffered by an employee on the job that results in a fatality, permanent disability, or time lost from work. The LTI reference is recognized globally as a key indicator of a company’s safety performance.
LRMC President and CEO Juan F. Alfonso said that the achievement is attributed to a number of safety programs and projects undertaken since the company assumed operations and maintenance of Manila’s 32-year old rail line.
The programs include a five-part Technical Safety and Awareness Training, which was given to more than 380 employees who undergo the LRMC Basic Safety Induction as part of their onboarding process. Maintenance supervisors and personnel were trained in safely working at heights, electrical, power tools, hand tools, and welding safety, as well as Lockout-tagout (LOTO), which is a safety procedure to ensure that employees are free from unexpected energization or startup of equipment and machinery.
Various workshops on operation-related skills training were also conducted alongside Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), wherein LRMC maintenance staff were certified on forklift and scaffolding safety.
Both announced and unannounced emergency drills are carried out on a regular basis to ensure each one is aware of the safety procedures during specific emergencies. Members of the Emergency Response Team are trained to function as fire brigade when necessary. With help from Bureau of Fire Protection, LRMC conducted two 40-hours training on fire safety. In addition, station supervisors, tellers, and other LRMC personnel were trained with first aid and basic life support.
With regards to safety improvement projects, Alfonso cited the provision of pedestrian walkways to prevent accidental contact with vehicular traffic while walking in the depot premises. Signs are posted at strategic locations of the depot to serve as safety reminders and guidelines. Additionally, concrete pathways were constructed to prevent slip/trip and fall hazards while walking in the depot-stabling yard and connecting line. Everyone is also required to wear a safety vest when walking across the depot tracks.
Leading LRMC’s safety efforts are the 11 members of the Management Committee and 25 other employees who went through a day-long workshop, wherein they pledged their personal commitment to safety. A half-day workshop on safety leadership was also participated by the Management through the Safety Management by Walking Around (SMBWA) that involved a total of 110 Engineering supervisors, engineers, and lead men.
Alfonso stressed that the company recognizes the importance of employee safety and that they will continue to find better ways of managing the risk of injury to LRMC personnel.