COMMEMORATING THE 28TH OF APRIL, THE WORLD DAY FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK
Poured by
Lambro Patce
The 28th of April 2015. It is 10:30 AM. Suddenly, echoes a penetrating sound of the electronic alarm system for fire protection. Smoke has been detected in Pivara Skopje’s administrative building. Security services call 193 to ask for assistance from the firefighting brigade. Only a moment later, all Pivara’s employees “Pivarci”, one by one, leave the premises. There is no panic or people running around, only a disciplined row of people quietly gathering in the corridor of the meeting place for this particular case. The vehicles of the firefighting brigade arrive and firefighters start intervening. “Pivarci” check if someone is missing. Just few minutes later, the fire is extinguished. You probably thought that this was a scene from an actual fire happening in Pivara Skopje, but you are wrong. This was only a fire simulation drill, taking place as a part of the campaign aimed at raising the awareness of all Pivara Skopje’s employees regarding the protection against fires within the activities for marking the 28th of April, the World Day for Safety and Health at Work. This year’s topic of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work in Pivara Skopje was the education of its employees in the area of fire prevention and protection. As a part of the campaign, the company organized a practical drill aimed at familiarizing our employees with fire extinguishing techniques using fire extinguishers.
Occupational health and safety are among Pivara Skopje’s top priorities. As a leading company in the beverages industry in the country, Pivara Skopje is constantly investing in implementation and improving occupational health and safety methods and techniques, which are of exceptional importance for all employees and for increasing the level of efficiency and productivity at work.
Creating and maintaining healthy and safe working environment is an integral and essential part of corporate culture in Pivara Skopje and the development policy we support, and we are constantly trying to transfer it outside the boundaries of our company. Within the marking of the 28th of April, the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, Pivara Skopje continued the realization of the project for education of elementary school students in areas related to health and safety in schools. We have started this non-branded project in 2014. Within the frame of this project, in the presence of their teachers, students got the opportunity to learn more and get practical advice on how to prevent injuries caused by sliding, tripping or falling; how to maintain proper posture when sitting at school, when writing or working on a computer; as well as how to react in case of a fire at school. This year, the project included a total of 1,500 fourth graders from primary schools from Gazi-Baba, Aerodrom and Chair. These advice, in a creative and picturesque manner, adjusted to students’ age, were transferred by our employees and ambassadors, who voluntarily applied to contribute to a happier and safer childhood at school. As an established practice of the company, our ambassadors are regularly trained to refresh their knowledge in the area of occupational health and safety.
On the occasion of the 28th of April, the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, as a part of our “Health and Safety” program, we have launched the “Traffic Safety” campaign aimed at raising the awareness and the need for our employees to be responsible participants in traffic. The campaign consisting of 4 separate segments: “Pre-Driving Preparations”, “Anyone Can Get Hurt”, “Enjoy Driving” and “Don’t Drink and Drive” started with the presentation of the video of Wietse Mutters, our Commercial Manager, addressing the commercial team using short educational messages to mark this day which is important for all of us.
For many years, Pivara Skopje has been investing in the health and safety of its employees and their education in various relevant topics in this area. In 2007, Pivara Skopje was the first company to implement and get certified pursuant to the leading international occupational health and safety management system – OHSAS 18001. For its achievements and the activities it undertakes in this area, the company has been awarded the National Best Practices Award in the area of occupational health and safety. This award is presented by the Macedonian Occupational Safety and Health Association and the International Labour Organization. This award serves as a verification of our continuous efforts and investments into ensuring and guaranteeing the highest level of safety and health of all Pivara Skopje’s employees, our collaborators, the consumers of our brands, as well as all of those who are part of our business surrounding. Creating and maintaining healthy and safe working environment is an integral and essential part of corporate culture in Pivara Skopje and the development policy we support, and we are constantly trying to transfer it outside the boundaries of our company.
