The ALPINE team in Singapore, led by project manager Vivek Singhal, had a particularly pleasing cause for celebration at the beginning of May 2011: a total of two million working hours without an accident. The company has been working on two sections of the new Downtown Line of the city’s underground network.
A real team effort
ALPINE employs around 600 workers in Singapore. Four metro stations and tunnels with a combined length of 8.3 km have already been completed. By 2015, three more stations and several tunnels will be constructed. The subject of safety is an important concern for the project team during this process. Regular safety meetings and training courses are held with the aim of heightening employee awareness, highlighting potential risks and explaining important safety measures. During the course of an extensive campaign, a safety week, video presentations and a safety quiz were held for the whole team, among other things. Specially printed T-shirts, posters and stickers are used to remind employees – including those on the construction site – to exercise caution, show consideration for new or inexperienced colleagues, and avoid risks.
Project Manager Singhal is particularly pleased with the effectiveness of these activities: “Two million accident-free working hours is a great success. A feat that we could only achieve with close and committed teamwork on all levels.”
The success was celebrated with the entire project team and many guests on the construction site. Alongside speeches by the project team and the developer, awards were presented to especially safety-conscious employees. The entire management team acknowledged their commitment to safety in a written promise.
High standards
“Health and safety at work are taken very seriously at ALPINE,” emphasises Divisional Director Meik Müller, who is responsible for underground construction projects in the Asia region. “It is very important to us that safety standards are also our top priority abroad and employees receive appropriate training.” The fact that these measures have proved to be so effective in Singapore is undoubtedly a good cause for celebration.
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Header photo: istockphoto.com/scibak
