GPL’s top management meet to review 3rd quarter objectives with emphasis on health and safety

By Kurt Campbell

[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Executive Board and Directors of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) have converged in Georgetown to review its objectives for the third quarter of 2013 with special emphasis on health and safety with the hope of improving its quality of service.

According to Divisional Director, Human Resource Balgobin Parsaud, nine targets were set for the third quarter all of which have been surpassed. He said the company continues to make strides in retaining the highest level of qualified and healthy staff.

Parsaud told iNews that two of the key areas being looked at in terms of health are hypertension and diabetes however; HIV awareness continues to be elevated with several plans in place to deal with HIV+ employees.

Meanwhile, GPL’s Safety, Health and Environment Officer Stacy Phillips urged employees to always adhere to safety regulations as the companies seeks to reduce incidents of accidents and make working environs safer.

She said that GPL is currently engaging with its employees in this regard through several training programs. He said what has been observed is that the majority of accidents continue to emanate from one department but refused to name the department or provide statistics on such industrial accidents.

Phillips did however, urge all employees to be cognizant of all safety regulations and adhere to same as a means of assisting the company in its quest to reduce accidents.

Speaking more specifically on health related issues; GPL’s Industrial Nurse Mathew Moore underscored the importance of an employee’s health to both the employer and the employee.

He said currently there is a medical review program which is conducted annual by GPL where employees are screened for chronic illnesses and there are follow ups with educational forums.

The cost for this review is absorbed entirely by GPL. Moore encouraged staff to take their health seriously.

The Management of GPL at the end of the three day retreat hopes to leave with overwhelming ideas to increase employee’s working environment thereby increasing the overall quality of service.