The Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) is taking bold steps to promote safety in the workplace by fostering collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Eswatini Water Services Corporation (EWSC) and subcontractors.
This initiative comes in response to recent workplace incidents and fatalities, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing safety to prevent future tragedies.
Commitment to Zero Tolerance for Fatalities
At the recent Safety Indaba held at the Happy Valley Hotel in Ezulwini, EEC Managing Director Ernest Mkhonta reiterated the company’s unwavering commitment to safety. The event, themed “Zero Fatalities, Zero Tolerance to Incidents. Safety First,” brought together stakeholders to highlight the urgent need for stronger safety protocols.
“We believe that every accident is preventable,” said Mkhonta. “The loss of life is never acceptable, and we must ensure that our workplaces are safe environments where everyone is protected. This partnership with EWSC and our subcontractors is a key step toward achieving this goal.”
Building a Culture of Safety
EEC’s collaboration with EWSC and its subcontractors is designed to instill a culture of safety across all levels of the organization and its external partners. By sharing knowledge, resources, and best practices, the goal is to minimize risks, particularly in hazardous environments like electricity and water services.
Eswatini Water Services Corporation (EWSC) CEO, Jabulani Ndlovu, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of joint responsibility in safety.
“As essential service providers, we face similar risks. Working together with EEC allows us to pool our expertise and ensure that safety becomes a shared priority, not just for management but for every employee and contractor,” Ndlovu stated.
Addressing Recent Fatalities
The partnership comes in the wake of two fatal workplace accidents involving contractors within the past year. These incidents have driven EEC to take a more proactive approach to safety, ensuring that everyone involved in their projects adheres to stringent safety standards.
“Contractors are an integral part of our operations, and their safety is just as important as that of our internal teams,” said Mkhonta. “The tragic loss of two lives over the past year has been a wake-up call. We are committed to doing everything we can to ensure that such incidents never happen again.”
Training and Safety Compliance
As part of this collaboration, EEC and EWSC are focusing on providing comprehensive safety training to all employees and subcontractors. The training includes the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), hazard identification, emergency response protocols, and strict adherence to safety regulations.
“The safety training we’ve received from EEC has already made a significant difference in how we approach our day-to-day tasks,” said one contractor who participated in the initiative. “It’s clear that safety is no longer just an afterthought—it’s the foundation of how we operate.”
A Shared Responsibility
The partnership between EEC, EWSC, and their subcontractors underscores the fact that safety is a collective effort. By aligning their safety goals and practices, these organizations are setting a new standard for workplace safety in Eswatini’s essential service sectors.
“In the end, safety is everyone’s responsibility,” said Mkhonta. “By working together, we can ensure that every worker, whether an employee or a contractor, returns home safely at the end of each day.”
Through this collaboration, EEC and its partners are demonstrating that workplace safety is not only achievable but essential for the well-being of all.