INSEE Cement signs MOU to nurture Occupational Health and Safety

Tuesday, 19 September 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Minister of Labour, Trade Union Relations and Sabaragamuwa Development D.J. Seneviratne and INSEE Cement CEO Nandana Ekanayake (left) shake hands after signing the agreement while NIOSH Director General Dr. Champika Amarasinghe (left corner), Secretary of Ministry of Labour, Trade Union Relations and Sabaragamuwa Development Nimal Sarantissa (3rd from right), INSEE Cement Head of Health and Safety Gayan Fernando (2nd from right) and INSEE Cement Talent Manager Thushara Balasooriya (right corner) look on

Minister of Labour, Trade Union Relations and Sabaragamuwa Development D.J. Seneviratne is handing over laptops to the participants while INSEE Cement Sustainable Development and Communications Director Farzana Khan (left corner), INSEE Cement CEO Nandana Ekanayake (right corner), NIOSH Director General Dr. Champika Amarasinghe (3rd from right) and Secretary of Ministry of Labour, Trade Union Relations and Sabaragamuwa Development Nimal Sarantissa (2nd from right) look on

In an earnest endeavour to develop much needed safety professionals in Sri Lanka, INSEE Cement recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to partner with the institute and initiate a robust mechanism to provide academic and practical training for youth in the Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) sector.

NIOSH Director General Dr. ChampikaAmarasinghe said, “It is indeed commendable of Siam City Cement Lanka, renowned in the country as producers of high quality INSEE Cement to strengthen the construction industry by taking steps to remedy the current lack of safety professionals in Sri Lanka. This clearly demonstrates INSEE Cement’s commitment to enhancing occupational health and safety in the country.”

INSEE Cement CEO Nandana Ekanayake said, “We strongly believe in building a brighter future for Sri Lanka and this is one of our practical and farsighted ways of achieving the goal of upgrading the proficiency of youth in our country and making them understand the importance of health and safety.” The training will provide for 12 participants with a NVQ Level-5 Safety Officer Qualification. The structured one-year curriculum will be initially conducted at the NIOSH Office in the Ministry of Labour. The course conducted by competent professionals will provide practical exposure in an advanced industrial environment to the participants.

INSEE Cement Head of Health and Safety Gayan Fernando commented, “We are very appreciative of the officials of the Ministry of Labour Trade Union Relations and Sabaragamuwa Development for joining hands with INSEE Cement to enhance the competencies of safety professionals who are in short supply in the country. The young people who are fortunate enough to participate in this program can look forward to a bright future after the valuable training they receive.”