A cement manufacturing facility in San Fernando, Cebu, has just concluded a comprehensive week-long program dedicated to strengthening safety protocols and emergency preparedness among its workforce.
Week-Long Focus on Safety and Health
From January 11, 2026, Taiheiyo Cement Philippines Inc. (TCPI) placed a renewed emphasis on cultivating daily safe habits during its annual Safety and Health Week. The initiative, organized by the company's Environment and Safety Department (ESD), aimed to reduce workplace incidents through a series of seminars, practical drills, and health interventions.
ESD head Dwight Avila underscored the collective effort, stating, "Safety is a shared responsibility and our strength lies in the small choices we consistently make." He noted significantly increased participation not only from TCPI staff but also from employees of primary materials supplier Solid Earth Development Corp. (SEDC) and partner contractors, calling the turnout "a sign of a maturing safety culture."
Activities and Recognitions
The week's schedule was packed with diverse activities designed to address various aspects of worker well-being and hazard recognition:
- A mental health awareness seminar to kick off the events.
- A plant-wide emergency drill and a general safety assembly in front of the plant's kiln.
- Sessions on chemical safety, behavioral-based safety, and monkeypox health awareness.
- Health services including eye exams, audiometry tests, general screenings, and a pre-blood donation lecture.
- An eight-hour mandatory occupational safety seminar for new hires and a defensive driving seminar by TESDA.
Gines Timosa, an engineer from the Department of Labor and Employment's Occupational Safety and Health Center in Region 7, led a crucial session on emergency preparedness and response.
The observance also featured competitive events to hone emergency skills. Winners included:
- Rescue and transfer relay: 1st - Mechanical team; 2nd - Electrical and instrumentation team; 3rd - Geo-transport.
- Firefighting with fire hydrant: 1st - Purchasing team; 2nd - Packing team; 3rd - Production.
- Creative contests: The Information Systems department won the poster-making contest.
Japanese "Pointing and Calling" Method for Long-Term Safety
Beyond the week's activities, TCPI is investing in long-term hazard prevention through its upgraded KY (Kiken Yochi) Training Version 2.0. This program applies the Japanese "Pointing and Calling" method to improve hazard recognition and communication.
Assistant plant manager for maintenance and engineering, Yuichiro Imasaka, explained that the technique involves workers physically pointing at potential hazards while verbally identifying them. This simple action significantly boosts situational awareness and reduces errors.
Avila reported that the program has already trained 335 individuals, comprising 235 regular workers and 100 outsourced personnel from TCPI and SEDC. "This simple but powerful technique enhances communication and minimizes oversight," Avila said. "By embedding this discipline into our routines, we reduce risks even before tasks begin."
Through this dual approach—an intensive safety week and sustained KY training—Taiheiyo Cement Philippines reaffirms its core commitment: ensuring that every employee returns home safely at the end of each day.
