Tg Bin Power Plant(TBPP) again played host on Friday, August 15th for the launching of Occupational Health Safety Assessment Series(OHSAS) 18001 & ISO 14001 with the motto “Strive for Excellence OHSMS & EMS”. The launching is an initiative, keeping in mind the objectives of OHSAS 18001 to have a comprehensive Occupational Health Safety Management System(OHSMS) at all sites and to ensure that all our practices, programmes and activities are not only consistent and uniform across all sites but are also at par or even better than industry standards.

The celebration started early in the day with a Safety quiz for TBPP’s adopted schools - Sekolah Kebangsaan Andik Mori, Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Chokoh and Sekolah Kebangsaan Sg Boh - that was participated by 60 students consisting of Standard 5 and 6 students. The quiz was held under the tents at the venue of the launching. Other than that, a slogan-writing and safety poster designing competition were also organized for the school kids.

In line with the health and safety theme, a blood donation drive was held in TBPP Admin building. The drive, opened to all staff and kampong folk around Tg Bin, received a rousing support and managed to collect 65 pints of blood.

On the ground outside TBPP’s admin building, an exhibition on occupational health and safety was held that saw the participations from 9 organizations:

1. Department of Safety and Health

2. Department of Environment

3. Alam Sekitar Malaysia Sdn Bhd(environmental consultation company)

4. Kualiti Alam Sdn Bhd(schedule waste management company)

5. Lafarge Cement Malaysia Sdn Bhd

6. Progressive Safety Sdn Bhd(safety equipment supplier)

7. Malakoff Corporation Bhd/Teknik Janakuasa Sdn Bhd

8. National Institute of Occupational Safety Health(NIOSH)

9. Coal Handling System - Display Coal Operations

TBPP’s Station Manager, Mr Chew gave a speech to welcome the guests to the launching, followed by the keynote address by none other than our Senior Vice President and Head of Operations and Maintenance division of Malakoff Corporation Berhad, En Nor Shakiman Muhammad. The launching of OHSAS was officiated by Deputy CEO of Malakoff Corporation Berhad, En Mohd Radzuan Yahya, who later went on to visit the exhibition booths at the event.

After a sumptuous feast of mee goreng, roti jala, laichikang, sago gula melaka, rojak and many other mouth-watering food, a fire-fighting competition was held on the grounds where six groups went head-on-head for the title of the Best Fire-fighting Team of 2008. The teams were Lumut A, Lumut B, Rajawali - Safety, Back Fire - Control & Instrument, Kilat - Electrical, and MCIE rangers - Coal Handling System.

There was no fire to be put out, though. The teams had to connect several fire hoses together and switch on the water pump to hose down 2 targets and the team that did it in the fastest time, wins. It was hilarious to see our friends in the fireman suits running around while carrying fire hoses, some even had to stop for a while to take a breather before they continued running with the hoses. Probably he’s not fit enough to run with the hoses and the hoses were pretty heavy to carry, so just imagine having to run with hoses in both hands!

Team Lumut A from LPP came out tops, followed by first runner-up Team Kilat - Electrical and second runner-up Team Back Fire - Control & Instrumentation. Congratulations to all winners!

Last presentation for the day was an interesting demo called “Emergency Response Drill - Chemical Spillage” which was carried out by Tg Bin Emergency Response Team, Jabatan Bomba Pontian and HAZMAT Team from Jabatan Bomba Johor Bahru.

Basically the scenario was like this: There was a chemical spillage at the plant and a colleague who was moving the chemical fainted after inhaling the chemical fumes. Someone discovered the spillage and quickly called for the emergency response team, Bomba and hazardous material team (HAZMAT) to come to the rescue.

For the spectators, it might be just another interesting demonstration to watch, but in all seriousness, our health and safety team should receive an ovation for this brilliant effort. Maybe a chemical spillage will never happen due to the safety routine put up by our health and safety team, but if it does, we can be assured that our health and safety team knows the drill and any spillage can be contained as soon as possible.