Malakoff Corporation Berhad (Malakoff) had many reasons to celebrate with the recent achievements of its power plants in term of health and safety practices. Malakoff’s wholly owned gas-fired Prai Power Plant recently achieved a significant safety milestone when the power plant clocked in 3 million man-hours with zero accident recorded since operation commenced in June 2003. In another front, the Emergency Response Team of Malakoff’s Lumut Power Plant in Segari, Perak, was crowned champion in two out of four categories at the recently held state-level fire safety drill competition. The competition was held in conjunction with the Fire Safety Campaign organized by Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Perak.

Speaking about the double achievements, Zainal Abidin Jalil, the Chief Executive Officer of Malakoff said, “Safety is a critical factor in the power generation business. As such, Malakoff adopts a Safety-First approach in all the company’s operations and maintenance.”

“We are truly proud to have achieved the milestone of 3 million man-hours of operations without a lost time incident. It underscores the team’s leadership and efforts in ensuring that every employee at Malakoff carries out their task in a safe and professional manner. The recent wins by the Lumut Power Plant Emergency Response Team also shows our staff’s capability and readiness in managing emergencies at our plants” he added.

To commemorate Prai Power Plant’s momentous achievement, Malakoff recently organised a Safety Awareness Campaign to further reinforce the Company’s commitment and dedication towards the importance of safety, health and environmental management. Over 100 employees from the Prai Power Plant participated in the two-day programme.

In conjunction with Malakoff’s Safety Awareness Programme, Malakoff organised a safety talk conducted by the Penang Department of Occupational Safety and Health as well as a blood donation drive. This was to help ingrain serious regard for safety matters not just for themselves but for their co-workers as well. The State Road Transport Department (JPJ) was also present to educate employees on inculcating responsible driving behaviour.

The programme concluded with a crisis simulation where the Jabatan Bomba Pulau Pinang and the Hazardous Material team (HazMat) enacted the aftermath of a chemical spillage at the power plant. The exercise was part of Malakoff’s periodic emergency response drill to ensure that all employees would be able to respond effectively in protecting the workforce should there be any such untoward incidences.

Present to officiate the opening ceremony of the Safety Awareness Campaign, Nordin Kasim, Malakoff’s Senior Vice President of Operation & Maintenance Division said, “Safety has always been at the forefront of Malakoff’s operations and I commend the staff’s teamwork and efforts to build a safe workplace for all.”

“Moving forward, we will continue to assess Malakoff’s safety programmes and strive for zero incidences as it is an essential part of our drive towards operational excellence. I am confident that we will be able to maintain our safety records with the level of teamwork and commitment demonstrated by each and every one at the Prai Power Plant,” he added.

As part of the Malakoff’s on-going efforts to improve its employee safety records, the Company continually reviews and improves its Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Management System. In recognition of its excellence to HSE, the Prai Power Plant has been certified with the following safety standards: the MS ISO 9001 QMS, OHSAS 18001:2007, MS 1722: Part 1 2005 Occupational Health and Safety Standards as well as Environmental Management ISO 14001:2004.

“Prai Power Plant’s excellent safety standard is another feather in the cap for Malakoff in reinforcing its position as Malaysia’s largest independent power producer with a proven track record,” Zainal concluded.

Lumut Power Plant also organizes its Safety Day celebrations twice annually at the plant to inculcate good health and safety culture amongst staff. At its recently held Safety Day celebration, approximately 150 people comprising of staff and in-house contractors participated in activities such as blood donation drive, safety motto competition, drug awareness talk, fire safety drill competition and fire rescue demonstration led by the Emergency Response Team of the plant.