PIVARA SKOPJE THROUGH EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR HEALTHY AND SAFE SCHOOL DAYS
Poured by
Lambro Patce
Whenever I’m asked which of the many significant projects that Pivara Skopje has implemented during my 14 years of career here, makes me especially proud, since my answer is definitely the project entitled “Education for healthy and safe days at school”. Namely, after spending more than a decade in the Procurement Department, I felt that I was finally ready to push my professional boundaries further. The challenge came from the Public Affairs and Communications Department. The key turning point that helped me take the decision to join this team at the beginning of 2015 was the possibility to work on projects aimed at promoting our corporate culture and the policy for sustainable development of our company and the community we belong to.
Back in 2007, Pivara Skopje was among the first companies in Macedonia to implement and to be certified pursuant to OHSAS 18001, leading international occupational health and safety management system.
With the purpose of raising the awareness of employees in the area of occupational health and safety, here in Pivara Skopje, we consider that continuous education is of essential importance. Since 2011, the company has initiated intensive year-long promotional activities that include all of its employees. Such activities focus on considering various educational topics in the area of occupational health and safety.
The constant focus and dedication to this very important subject allows us to be leaders in the area of occupational health and safety promotion. In 2014, the company has been awarded the National Award for best practices in this area awarded by the Macedonian Occupational Safety and Health Association and the International Labour Organization.
In 2014, for the first time, the company promoted the health and safety program to an external audience through the implementation of the pilot project entitled “Education for healthy and safe days at school”. The aim of this pilot project was intended for our employees, in the role of volunteers, to transfer their knowledge to young people in the area of occupational health and safety, and health and safety in general. The project included 700 primary school students from all schools in the municipality of Aerodrom. The only way of teaching next generations about the importance of occupational health and safety is educating children from early age. In this manner, we will be able to contribute to their understanding that their behavior can help them protect their own health, but also the health and safety of their peers and other people in school and beyond.
Based on the pilot project implemented in 2014, in the presence of their teachers, young people got the opportunity to learn more and hear practical advises on how to prevent injuries caused by sliding, tripping and falling; how to maintain proper posture while sitting at school, while working in front of a computer; and how to react in case of fire at school. Such contents were presented based on 45-minute entertaining non-branded presentations. All presentations were adapted to students’ age and were based on vivid comparisons to the world of animals.
Due to the huge success of this pilot project, it was implemented once again in 2015, now with expanded scope of topics and activities. In 2015, the project included three municipalities. Our employees, acting on voluntary basis, managed to transfer their extensive knowledge in the area of health and safety to 1.500 fourth graders throughout 23 schools.
The key to our success of the “Education for healthy and safe days at school” project lies in the fact that it conveys a friendly message and contents which are specially adapted to the young audience it was presented. This, in combination with the energy and dedication of our employees, acting in the role of volunteers, is the perfect recipe yielding positive results. We continue our activities in 2016.
