Tampakan's Sagittarius Mines gets SOPI award

MANILA, Philippines - Tampakan’s Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI) received an Award of Distinction for “reaching a milestone of five million man hours without lost time injury (LTI)” from the Safety Organization of the Philippines Inc. (SOPI) during the 43rd National Industrial Safety Convention held over the week at the Subic Bay Travelers Hotel in Olongapo City.

SMI achieved the five million zero incident feat in January this year.

Rogelio Quito, SMI safety superintendent, said the accomplishment was due to the willingness of SMI employees and contractors to embrace the goal of zero harm.

At least 84 percent of SMI’s workforce comes from Tampakan, South Cotabato and other neighboring municipalities, cities and provinces.

“Our behavior-based safety programs, measures and audit systems have been widely accepted throughout the company and by the community,” Quito said.

“We will continue to implement and improve on various safety programs such as education and training, risk identification and prevention, contractor engagement and light vehicle safety management,” Quito said.

SOPI, founded in 1959, is a non-profit, non-governmental, national public service organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting health.

Members of SOPI include businesses, schools, public agencies, private groups, labor organizations, and individuals.

SOPI’s primary focus is preventing deaths and injuries that occur in workplaces, homes, communities and roads.