State owned energy logistics firm, Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) today started a national wide drive to sensitize members of the public on fire safety and first aid.
The firm has partnered with the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) in the initiative that comes two months after a a gas explosion killed three people and injured 280 others in Embakasi area of Nairobi.
In a press statement circulated to news platforms, KPC said the partnership with KRCS is a strategic move to bolster fire safety and first aid community awareness in the lead up to this year’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work.
The two organizations conducted a joint fire safety sensitization drive targeted at Nyayo Estate and environs residents in Embakasi, with the goal of equipping households with the knowledge and skills to efficiently prevent and respond to safety incidents in residential settings.
Speaking at the drive, KPC Safety, Health and Environment Manager Carol Kiplagat emphasized the Company’s commitment to entrenching a culture of safety, highlighting their initiatives tailored to raise awareness on emerging occupational safety and health risks.
“At KPC, we believe that ensuring the highest safety standards is a continuous journey that requires collaboration at all levels. Through this partnership with the Kenya Red Cross, we hope to drive conversations that will lead to impactful changes in how we approach workplace and community safety,” she said.
Kiplagat noted that the World Day for Safety and Health at Work slated for 28th April is an opportune moment on the global calendar to shine a spotlight on work and residential areas safety, which she noted remains an evolving area of focus in the industry.
“Since 2017 when we first marked this day, we have made great strides in integrating robust controls and training to aid our workforce in prioritizing safety. This year’s theme, which focuses on the crucial intersection between climate change and workers’ safety, is pivotal.
By exploring these impacts during our week long safety campaign and beyond, we aim to get ahead of the curve and integrate appropriate controls that eliminate or minimize safety risks exacerbated by climate change,” Ms. Kiplagat added.
The community sensitization drive comes as part of KPC’s week-long safety week running from April 22 to 26, where the Company will carry out a number of activities to enhance safety awareness across all its installations.
On his part, KRCS First Aid Instructor Philip Ochieng’ said the with increasing frequency and intensity of disasters induced by climate change, it is important for humanitarian agencies like the Red Cross to form strategic partnerships that allow us to scale training and awareness campaigns that boost preparedness levels across the country.
“We commend KPC’s strong commitment to safety, and look forward to working together to equip domestic workers with simple but lifesaving skills,” said Ochieng’.
The theme for this year’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work has been set to focus on climate change and its effects on occupational safety and health.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) will release a report highlighting how climate change is altering the nature of work and its implications on workers’ wellbeing, including heat stress, extreme weather events, air pollution, vector-borne diseases and agrochemicals.
As a leader in safety management in the energy sector, KPC has invested heavily in systems and programmes to continuously promote a safe working environment. Part of this commitment involves extending safety awareness and supporting communities who reside along the Right of Way across Kenya.
The company recently donated Ksh.1 million towards the Red Cross and Kenyatta National Hospital to aid victims of the February gas explosion in Embakasi, Nairobi.