Agata bags two awards at the 2018 ANMSEC Field Safety Competition
Baguio City, Philippines / December 2018 – On the way to winning the company’s Presidential Mineral Industry Environment Award in Baguio City last month, the Agata Emergency Response Team sent its elite members to compete at the National Safety Competition and bested 10 other teams to be proclaimed Fire Brigade Champion. During the competition, Philex Mining Corp was awarded first runner-up, followed by Platinum Group Metals Corporation while defending champion, Apex Mining, ranked fourth overall.
Other participating teams include Nickel Asia Corp., Oceana Gold, Masbate Gold, Lepanto, Republic Cement, Itogon- Suyoc Resources and FCF Minerals.
In addition to winning top honors, Agata Mines Personnel and ERT Member Rodney Bongato likewise won second runner-up in the fire extinguishment leg of the competition with only a milli-second difference from the next winning participant.
Held on the sidelines of the Annual National Mine Safety Environment Conference, the safety field competition once again drew the best emergency response teams from mining companies across the country who proved their mettle in conducting emergency drills such as fire brigade, fire extinguishment and first-aid.
TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. operates the Agata Nickel Project in the adjacent municipalities of Tubay, Santiago and Jabonga in Agusan del Norte Province and is certified ISO 14001:2015 compliant. JV partner MRL is likewise a decorated company during its exploration phase with two Presidential Awards under its belt.
Apart from the PMIEA and the National Fire Brigade Championship, the company also currently holds two championship titles: the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO-Agusan del Norte) Rescue Olympics and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP-Caraga) Fire Olympics.
Rising above
The Agata ERT finished in record time during the Busted Hose and Up-the-Ladder drills, and later cornered the championship title in the Fire Brigade competition.
The drills required contenders to pick-up a six-kilogram fire hose, nozzle and ladder from the starting point then sprint the 50-feet distance along a designated area. They must then connect hoses and nozzle then hit colored panel targets in order from green, yellow and red.
The hardest obstacle is the Up-the-Ladder drill where the nozzle man must climb and leg-lock at the ninth rung of the ladder and hit the target colored panels while team mates hold the ladder at 90 degrees.
During the drills, umpires issue demerits on teams according to safety rules, proper execution and time.
Elite Rescuers
The eight-member Agata ERT all hail from the company’s host communities and specialize in various fields: IT, health care, data management, chemical assay, security and mining operations.
But despite varied roles in the company, they volunteered and devoted their time to train and hone their skills for two months prior to the competition.
Early on, community members were also trained through the company’s partnership with the PDRRMO-Agusan del Norte and the BFP-Caraga. Key personnel are likewise trained and accredited in Basic First Aid and Mass Casualty Rescue Management while eight other Community Emergency Response Teams were also established – all trained and equipped by the government agency and Agata ERT volunteers.
“Regardless of gender, we learn to be ready at all times. We also encourage volunteerism and share our skills with our communities. We can be heroes in our simple way,” shared Safety Inspector Chrizza Joy Polistico.
Prioritizing safety
Agata has surpassed 15 million safe man hours and zero Loss Time Accident (LTA) with more than 800 personnel working shifts on a 24-7 basis. In May this year, Agata held its first Safety Olympics among its employees, contractors and communities – further cultivating a culture of constant awareness among its ranks.
“In keeping with Agata’s philosophy of ‘Starting it right and keeping the end in sight,’ our Safety and Health Department takes all necessary precautions available to safeguard our people against potential risks. Today’s preparations can save lives tomorrow,” said Senior Safety Officer Aldrin Arieta.
The department ensures that all personnel are given complete Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) while contractors are also included during ISO Standards and other safety and health trainings as well as routine safety toolbox pep talks conducted during shift transition.