Dubai: Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has recently announced the introduction of the innovative behavioural safety program called “SafeStart” to the region. This initiative is part of EGA’s commitment to achieving zero harm within its operations, aiming to eliminate the risk of serious harm by the end of this decade.
EGA has already achieved a significantly better safety performance compared to global industry benchmarks. However, the company remains dedicated to further enhancing safety across all aspects of its operations. This includes focusing on four key factors that are technical solutions involving inherently safe equipment, organisational safety management systems, authentic safety leadership, and human behaviour.
SafeStart, an integral part of EGA’s safety improvement strategy, specifically targets the human element of safety. It acknowledges that factors such as rushing, frustration, fatigue, or complacency contribute to the majority of accidents both at work and in personal life.
The program identifies four critical errors that commonly result from these states of mind, eyes not on task, mind not on task, moving into or being in the line of fire, and issues with balance, traction, or grip. By raising awareness and providing practical tools, SafeStart aims to enable EGA’s employees to recognize these states of mind and errors within themselves throughout their lives.
It is noteworthy that a significant number of accidents leading to injuries occur outside workplaces globally. As a result, the SafeStart program extends its impact beyond the workplace, empowering EGA’s workforce to apply its principles to their personal lives, contributing to a safer overall environment.
EGA’s introduction of SafeStart underscores its unwavering commitment to prioritize the well-being and safety of its employees. By integrating this comprehensive program, EGA seeks to create a culture of safety consciousness, reducing accidents and striving for zero harm throughout its operations and beyond.
Mr. Abdulnasser bin Kalban, EGA Chief Executive Officer, stated that, “Our goal of eliminating the risk of harm is essential and very ambitious for any industrial company. To achieve it, we must focus on further improving all aspects of safety. Each of us at EGA is responsible for our own safety and the safety of everyone around us. This programme will enable us to recognise sates-of-mind which all human beings are prone to which can lead to someone getting hurt.”