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Tribune News Network
Doha
Galfar Al Misnad has succeeded in fully vaccinating 99 percent of its 6,000-strong workforce against COVID 19 after a rigorous and diligent vaccination drive, with the support of all its stakeholders.
The leading construction firm’s success in vaccination is in alignment with the country’s strategy to maximise vaccination for a safer and healthier Qatar.
Right from the beginning of the pandemic, Galfar Al Misnad exerted all efforts to ensure the safety of its employees and stakeholders, while simultaneously striving to fulfil the contractual obligations to the clients.
“It is our founding principle ‘Safety First’ that laid a good foundation for us to adeptly handle this unforeseen difficulty. We have been able to manage the crisis relatively thus far by strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols. Our great solace is that we did not have any casualties, due to our timely intervention in controlling the situation,” said Satish G. Pillai, executive director of Galfar Al Misnad.
Assessing the serious nature of the virus, Galfar formulated a pandemic response plan as early as February 2020. A task force team consisting of employees from various levels was formed to initiate, implement and monitor the measures and adeptly take control of the situation.
The status was then reviewed daily by the senior management and the task force team.
Prevention methods were employed all across the company as per the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) directives in response to the constantly changing situation. These included daily toolbox talks at worksites and facilities; temperature checks; dedicated cleaning plan, along with training, for office premises and transportation fleets; mandating and provision of face masks for employees; provision of hand sanitisers at all offices; and display of prominent awareness posters in all locations. Vulnerable groups at the workplace were also monitored regularly.
During the peak of COVID-19 in Qatar, the highest possible social distancing strategies were strictly implemented at the worksite, camps and offices to ensure the spread of the virus was restricted. As a part of this, all meetings, events, trainings and internal audits were shifted to online platforms to prevent risks of in person interaction.
In addition, the company acquired new vehicles to cater to the transportation social distance protocols.
When the virus did make its way into the workforce, the company was ready with isolation wards and quarantine facilities, which were arranged at existing camp and accommodation facilities in consultation with the in house medical unit.
Moreover, the company’s HSE team ensured that counselling and support was provided to all affected employees and their families. This proactive approach of the task force restricted the affliction of the virus to 15 percent of the entire workforce.
Despite the myriad hurdles posed by COVID-19, Galfar Al Misnad was recognised at British Safety Council’s International Safety Awards 2021 (ISA 2021) with the Best in Country Award and two ISA 2021 awards, including one with Distinction for the Roads and Infrastructure of Al Wajba East Project (Package 01).
The company was also awarded the RoSPA Silver Health and Safety Award 2021 for its HSE performance in 2020 from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), a globally recognised organisation that promotes occupational health and safety.
“The immense efforts and hard work from Galfar’s medical unit, project, camp administration staff and HSE team in controlling the COVID-19 spread within the organisation and in ensuring vaccination for our employees has to be applauded,” said Navaneetha Shetty, head of QHSE at Galfar Al Misnad.
Active COVID-19 cases in Galfar have now reached ZERO thanks to this determined approach adopted by the company’s HSE team to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the business.
However, due to the rapidly evolving nature of the virus, the menace of COVID-19 is expected to continue into the forthcoming years as well.
The company will continue to adhere to the safety control measures against COVID-19 until its eradication.
Doha
Galfar Al Misnad has succeeded in fully vaccinating 99 percent of its 6,000-strong workforce against COVID 19 after a rigorous and diligent vaccination drive, with the support of all its stakeholders.
The leading construction firm’s success in vaccination is in alignment with the country’s strategy to maximise vaccination for a safer and healthier Qatar.
Right from the beginning of the pandemic, Galfar Al Misnad exerted all efforts to ensure the safety of its employees and stakeholders, while simultaneously striving to fulfil the contractual obligations to the clients.
“It is our founding principle ‘Safety First’ that laid a good foundation for us to adeptly handle this unforeseen difficulty. We have been able to manage the crisis relatively thus far by strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols. Our great solace is that we did not have any casualties, due to our timely intervention in controlling the situation,” said Satish G. Pillai, executive director of Galfar Al Misnad.
Assessing the serious nature of the virus, Galfar formulated a pandemic response plan as early as February 2020. A task force team consisting of employees from various levels was formed to initiate, implement and monitor the measures and adeptly take control of the situation.
The status was then reviewed daily by the senior management and the task force team.
Prevention methods were employed all across the company as per the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) directives in response to the constantly changing situation. These included daily toolbox talks at worksites and facilities; temperature checks; dedicated cleaning plan, along with training, for office premises and transportation fleets; mandating and provision of face masks for employees; provision of hand sanitisers at all offices; and display of prominent awareness posters in all locations. Vulnerable groups at the workplace were also monitored regularly.
During the peak of COVID-19 in Qatar, the highest possible social distancing strategies were strictly implemented at the worksite, camps and offices to ensure the spread of the virus was restricted. As a part of this, all meetings, events, trainings and internal audits were shifted to online platforms to prevent risks of in person interaction.
In addition, the company acquired new vehicles to cater to the transportation social distance protocols.
When the virus did make its way into the workforce, the company was ready with isolation wards and quarantine facilities, which were arranged at existing camp and accommodation facilities in consultation with the in house medical unit.
Moreover, the company’s HSE team ensured that counselling and support was provided to all affected employees and their families. This proactive approach of the task force restricted the affliction of the virus to 15 percent of the entire workforce.
Despite the myriad hurdles posed by COVID-19, Galfar Al Misnad was recognised at British Safety Council’s International Safety Awards 2021 (ISA 2021) with the Best in Country Award and two ISA 2021 awards, including one with Distinction for the Roads and Infrastructure of Al Wajba East Project (Package 01).
The company was also awarded the RoSPA Silver Health and Safety Award 2021 for its HSE performance in 2020 from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), a globally recognised organisation that promotes occupational health and safety.
“The immense efforts and hard work from Galfar’s medical unit, project, camp administration staff and HSE team in controlling the COVID-19 spread within the organisation and in ensuring vaccination for our employees has to be applauded,” said Navaneetha Shetty, head of QHSE at Galfar Al Misnad.
Active COVID-19 cases in Galfar have now reached ZERO thanks to this determined approach adopted by the company’s HSE team to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the business.
However, due to the rapidly evolving nature of the virus, the menace of COVID-19 is expected to continue into the forthcoming years as well.
The company will continue to adhere to the safety control measures against COVID-19 until its eradication.
