Safety is a shared responsibility. Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI) is further firming up its commitment to workplace safety and security by actively enjoining its employees in upholding organizational policies and industry standards. “A safe work environment empowers employees across industries. PCPPI continues to uphold policies and standards that prevent workplace accidents and protect our people and properties,” said PCPPI’s Director for Environment, Health, Safety and Security Fernando Ramos. Guided by its Environment, Occupational Safety, and Health (EOSH) Policy, PCPPI developed programs to reinforce its occupational safety procedures based on international standards, including practicing Hazard Identifications, Risk Assessment and Control (HIRAC), immediate reporting of near-miss incidents to immediately address potential risks, and conducting mandatory trainings and safety orientation with employees and service providers alike. Occupational safety and health initiatives PCPPI continues to work closely with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in implementing safety protocols and guidelines across locations in different parts of the country. Aside from attending the organization’s own safety orientation, employees are also participate in mandatory safety training sessions. “Occupational health and safety boils down to communication, coordination, and collaboration. There must be a clear and effective process on how to communicate policies and procedures in the workplace, then the Safety Officers and employees will work together to ensure that these policies and procedures are implemented properly,” Ramos added. To avoid accidents and injuries, employees assigned to production are provided with personal protective equipment such as cut resistance gloves and safety glasses. PCPPI’s Southern Tagalog Region Operations (STRO) plant in Santo Tomas, Batangas, in particular, started to utilize an all surface bottle inspector and machine guards to make work safer and more streamlined. Ramos also shared that the Santo Tomas EHSS team takes its roles and responsibilities to heart, as they acknowledge that they are accountable for the safety of all those who access the facility—may they be employees, service providers or visitors. Such preventive safety measures were taken as part of PCPPI’s EHSS strategy and risk assessment. According to Ramos, PCPPI conducts regular risk assessment activities to revisit and review its existing policies and programs, and come up with corrective action plans if needed. “Our main objective is to avoid accidents, incidents, and losses. So, we have to identify and address potential areas of vulnerability. This is important for the continual improvement of our occupational safety and health standards,” he added. Safety recognitions In 2022, PCPPI achieved complete certification of all its plants across the country as each facility was awarded the DOLE Safety Seal. The completion of the said certification program affirms that all PCPPI plants are compliant with the public health standards set by the government. They also comply with the General Labor Standards and Occupational Safety and Health Standards of DOLE.