SBM Offshore commemorates 11th Life Day anniversary with focus on hand safety

Reinforcing the crucial role of safety in its daily operations, SBM Offshore observed its 11th annual Life Day celebration globally on May 28.  Life Day 2024 was held under the theme ‘Every day is Life Day’ and placed special emphasis on preventing hand injuries and promoting overall safety and good wellbeing in the workplace. The company observed this activity at the Guyana Marriott Hotel. 

General Manager of SBM Offshore Guyana, Martin Cheong emphasised the company’s focus on promoting safety and wellness among its employees. 

He said, “In our fast-paced industry, prioritising health and wellness alongside physical safety should be a personal goal for each of us. Our objective is to create a supportive and inspiring work environment for every employee.” 

Life Day is a key activity that allows the company to reconnect with the elements of its ongoing ‘LIFE 365’ campaign, which focuses on supporting behavioural change and raising process awareness. The event was live streamed to the Liza Destiny, Liza Unity and Prosperity Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels and a cohort of the company’s Trainee Technicians who are undergoing training in Canada. Life Day enabled collective reflection on how the company and its employees show care for themselves, their colleagues and the environment in the journey to Target Excellence. 

Production Manager at ExxonMobil Guyana, Huzefa Ali, commended the company for its proactive safety-first approach, saying, “I’d like to commend SBM Offshore for taking this initiative – focusing on safety ensures that our employees return home to their families each day. When we prioritise safety, we demonstrate our commitment to each person’s physical and mental well-being, reinforcing the trust of our workforce.”

Senior Petroleum Coordinator at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Gopnauth Bobby Gossai Jr., lauded the company’s initiative, underscoring the importance of safety in the petroleum industry at large. 

“It is very important that we recognise that Life Day is about the entire spectrum of safety, of management, and of the entire continuation and sustainability of the livelihood of the industry itself,” he posited.

Occupational Health and Safety Consultant, Gweneth King, in delivering the feature address on behalf of the Minister of Labour, noted, “By embracing our joint responsibility, fostering collaboration, focusing on accident prevention, addressing climate change challenges and supporting behavioural change through continuous education, we can build a safer, healthier and more sustainable future for all workers.” 

Additionally, Founder of the Vurlon Mills Football Academy, Vurlon Mills, whom the company has partnered with for a Women in Football Development Programme, shared valuable tips on preventing hand injuries during recreational sporting activities. He encouraged the team to be proactive in their approach, saying, “[By] taking safety precautions such as wearing your protective gear, warming up, use of proper technique, listening to your body, you can reduce the risk of injuries and play sports safely.” 

Activities included a blood drive which attracted a number of donors, medical checkups and a wellness station. In addition to the provision of a number of free wellness services for its employees and guests, the company also held an exhibition with its local sustainability partners, Plympton Farms, Hubu AquaFarm, The Non-Governmental Organisation, the National Coordinating Coalition, Guyana Marine Conservation Society and the Vurlon Mills Football Academy, reinforcing its commitment to advancing local sustainable development.