Ghana’s power transmission company (GRIDCo), on Friday, climaxed a week-long safety awareness week with the presentation of awards to staff and departments which emerged winners for various activities instituted by management to test their level of knowledge regarding safety and fitness.

The activities which were outlined for the annual safety awareness and health week included Safety Quiz, Tree Planting Exercise and  Safety Walk also known as GRID Walk.

The Safety Quiz was in two categories namely Technical and Non-Technical.

For the technical category, the Akosombo area emerged first while the Techiman area and the Prestea area emerged second and third respectively.

For the non-technical category, the Audit Department emerged first while the System Operations secured the second position.

Over 40 staff of the company who undertook training in Occupational Safety Health and Administration were also presented with certificates.

This year’s safety awareness week was on the theme: ‘Act together to build a positive safety and health culture.

Speaking at a durbar at the head office of GRIDCo in Tema, Friday, the Chief Executive Officer of GRIDCo, Ing Ebenezer Kofi Essienyi indicated that “safety Week Celebrations reminds us of our individual and collective responsibility to remain in good health and to collectively act in a manner that promotes a safety culture which inevitably keeps the business operating for the benefit of all.”

He, therefore, encouraged the staff to strive to know GRIDCo’s safety rules and abide by them, follow safety procedures and learn to use safety equipment such as fire extinguishers and other equipment that can be lifesaving and respect the safety controls which are in place to protect life and GRIDCo’s facilities.

“Compliance with these Safety Principles is key due to the nature of GRIDCo’s operations and business which involve construction activities to extend or upgrade the network as well as regular maintenance of assets. These duties need to be carried out with the utmost regard to sound safety practices.”

Ing. Essienyi said management would do its best to ensure that GRIDCo creates and sustains a health and safety culture by providing the needed tools, equipment and training to meet the mandate stated under our Core values.

He noted that the COVID-19 virus is still hovering around and urged the staff not to forget to respect safety protocols such as hand washing, the use of hand sanitisers and getting checked for any ill health.

“I want to urge all of us to initiate steps that will guarantee our general well-being, health and safety by doing a checkup at least once a year,” he advised.

On his part, the Director for Technical Services, Ing Bernard Gyan commended the management for prioritising the safety of staff by supplying 1,200 overall and 790 gloves to staff under the Framework Agreement for the supply of safety tools and equipment to staff for the company’s operations.