In anything we do, ensuring safety must be among our top priorities. Our efforts for growth and success serve no purpose if we neglect safety.
At CPIP, we value safety in our everyday practices and commit to raising awareness about it. We had the opportunity to speak with one of our locators, High Tech Solutions Corporation, and personally witness their dedication to promoting safety awareness in their work environment.
HTS Safety and the People Behind It
Safety in HTS Corporation is overseen by their safety committee which is comprised of most of the core officers within the company. This committee is headed by the company’s Safety Officer and Facility Supervisor, Mr. Luis Rolando Tribo II.
In our interview with Mr. Tribo, he mentioned that the safety committee of the company participates in Basic Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH) and Construction Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) training sessions to gain the necessary knowledge required for their roles in ensuring the company’s adherence to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) guidelines and in protecting the well-being of employees.
“Safety officers is a must, so we have BOSH and COSH, for example, radiation safety, BFP related trainings, similar matters,” said Mr. Tribo.
In addition to this, workplace safety is also incorporated into the discussions held during the 8-hour New Employee Orientation to equip the employees with essential knowledge. Furthermore, the company also has first aid responders who undergo training every three years. As safety is a shared responsibility, it is important for everyone to have a comprehensive understanding and awareness of the company’s safety protocols.
HTS’s Safe-fficiency
“It’s a delicate balance,” Mr. Tribo stated on maintaining a balance between safety and efficiency in the workplace. “Sa tingin ko, nakukuha ko yung tamang balance, they are safe enough but we can produce fast enough,” he added.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), safety visual aids, and planned responses to emergencies are some of HTS’s efforts to keep this safe-fficiency balance in the company.
“When I started in February (this year), I implemented most of what they need. When I started, they haven’t used laser goggles yet, but we have a laser welding machine here. (However) they just used ordinary goggles. Having trained with radiation safety, I know the difference of lasers to an ordinary-like. That’s why I introduced the laser goggles. A bit expensive but necessary,” Mr. Tribo explained.
He also stated that as an injection molding company, all of the PPEs that HTS Corporation needs are the basics only such as safety shoes, gloves, hairnets, safety helmets, earmuffs, and earplugs. “No need for high ends,” he added.
When asked about safety visual aids, “A lot,” Mr. Tribo answered. HTS Corporation has infographic posters on ergonomic safety, earthquake safety, electrical safety, and fire safety. Emergency exits have illuminated signs so they can be easily seen. There is also a labeled emergency eyewash station in the production area.
However, there is one safety visual aid that Mr. Tribo proudly introduced as “unique in a way that in CPIP, this is the only place that I implemented it.” These are the moon-shaped floor markers indicating door arcs. This is necessary to avoid potential hazards of door openings such as striking someone positioned near the door or obstructing the pathway with boxes.
In the event of emergencies, Mr. Tribo stated that HTS Corporation has documented procedures outlining their planned responses based on the type of emergency. Part of their emergency preparation is the monthly inspections of all the fire extinguishers throughout the company.
5S+S Audit Program
Every month, Mr. Tribo and the committee conduct one round of safety assessment through their 5S Plus Safety Audit Program. This internal audit involves participation from all departments, which are evaluated using a checklist that grades them based on their adherence to 5S + S practices.
5S is a workplace organization method based on five Japanese words: “sort,” “set in order,” “shine,” “standardize,” and “sustain.” Adding safety makes it 5S + S or 6S as regarded in other companies. Through this method, HTS Corporation has been effectively achieving a balance of safety and productivity within the workplace.
5S + S has become HTS’s way to establish visual order and to ensure that safety is being practiced in their daily operations. However, Mr. Tribo mentioned that there is one thing that the employees struggle with based on the results of their 5S + S Audit Assessment.
“In our Excel file, there’s a pictogram, (the thing the employees fail at is) mostly sustaining. They can start (preparing for the assessment) before the audit (such as) basic cleaning up, but they cannot sustain it after a day or two.”
Workplace safety is part of a company’s investment. Commitment to ensuring safety is long-term guarantees a good future for both the company and its employees. Workplace safety goes beyond being a regulatory obligation; it’s a fundamental aspect of a productive and healthy work environment. Prioritizing safety at work protects employees, minimizes risks, and improves overall organizational performance. At HTS Corporation and throughout CPIP, we foster a safety-oriented culture as we believe that if we prioritize safety today, we are rewarded with a tomorrow.
