Responsible for themselves and others - Safety Days at KGHM begin

The seminar ‘Worker health protection and safety in the raw materials industry’ inaugurated the annual Safety Days at KGHM. The event organised by the Polish Copper Employers’ Association was held under the honorary patronage of the President of the State Mining Authority, Dr. Piotr Litwa. As part of the Safety Days at KGHM, special activities for employees have been planned at individual divisions from 19 May.

Safety is paramount

Safety of employees is of paramount importance in the hierarchy of values of KGHM Polska Miedź S.A.

‘The safety of our staff is not only a priority, but also the foundation of everything we do. Every miner, every worker is someone's father, mother, son, or daughter. That is why Safety Days are a special time for us - a time to stop, reflect and make a joint commitment that we will do everything to ensure that everyone returns from work safely to their loved ones,’ said Andrzej Szydło, President of the Management Board of KGHM Polska Miedź. ‘We believe that modern technologies and innovative solutions are not the future, but the present - a real opportunity for an even higher level of health and life protection in everyday work’, added Andrzej Szydło.

For years the Company has advanced its vision of ‘Zero accidents due to human and technical errors, zero occupational illnesses among our employees and contractors’.

‘From 2010 to 2024, the rates of accidents per 1,000 employees and one million working hours fell three-fold, on average at KGHM. But there always comes a day like March 2019, when we rejoice with the 19 miraculous survivors of the rock burst in the G3 branch of the Rudna mine. We also remember the tragic 29 November 2016, when 8 people died in a rock burst, several of whom were 1.5 km from the epicentre. Such incidents must always remind us that we cannot be sure of anything and that must constantly listen and improve. We must listen not only to nature but also to wiser people - to learn lessons for the future’,  said Krzysztof Porębski, Chief Director for Mining at KGHM. I am therefore very pleased that this conference is taking place, as it will certainly be an opportunity to gain knowledge and exchange experience,’ added Krzysztof Porębski.

Promotion and education of employees on safety is an important element of the organisational culture at the Copper Company. An important part of this culture is the Safety Days celebrations, which this year will run until 27 May. As part of this year's campaign ‘I am aware of the consequences - I take care of myself and others’, KGHM will encourage employees to collectively take care of their health and safety, and to be more aware of their daily habits.

Discussion among experts

The seminar and the KGHM Safety Days are part of the celebrations of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work and the International Day for the Remembrance of Victims of Accidents at Work and Occupational Diseases. In addition to representatives of KHGM Group companies and the Polish Copper Employers’ Association, this unique event was attended by representatives of local governments, the Higher Mining Authority, the District Mining Authority in Wrocław, the State Labour Inspectorate and trade unions. The meeting of experts began with the symbolic laying of flowers at the plaque in memory of the victims of accidents at work on the premises of KGHM's Head Office in Lubin.

‘The motto of our seminar - 'Be responsible for others' - perfectly captures the meaning and essence of the actions we take every day. In an industry that, as we know, presents numerous challenges and risks, we cannot afford to be indifferent. Every employee, every decision, every detail of the procedure matters. Safety is not an addition to everyday work - it is its foundation’, said Jarosław Dudkowiak, President of the Management Board of the Polish Copper Employers' Association.

The seminar provided an opportunity for practitioners and experts in the mining and industrial sectors to share their experience. The participants discussed, among other things, the current state of occupational safety for miners and the prevention of accidents in the workplace. The challenges associated with the changing NDS and DSB standards were also addressed, and state-of-the-art solutions for self-propelled mining machines and self-propelled anchoring machines were presented. Safety education and the prevention and promotion of healthy lifestyles were also discussed.

Campaigns for employees

From 19 to 27 May, the Safety Days at the various divisions of KGHM will include activities combining preventive health care, education and fun. According the slogan of this year's campaign, 'I am aware of the consequences - I take care of myself and others', employees will take care of their health and safety together. The campaign aims not only to highlight safety rules at work, but also to raise awareness of the importance of daily habits. The planned activities include blood pressure and glucose level measurement points, body composition and weight checks and advice from nutritionists, first aid training, as well as numerous competitions with prizes.