World Safety Day 2021

World Day for Safety is celebrated annually on 28 April and is a day on which organisations around the globe encourage steps to ensure the prevention of occupational accidents and workplace illness and health challenges. Atlas Copco commemorated the day virtually this year, by highlighting the importance of understanding mental health. Upbeat virtual comedy sessions were hosted for all Atlas Copco and Rand Air employees, with popular local comedian and MC Mpho Popps Modikoane. Modikoane focused on the importance of taking care of yourself even in the midst of a pandemic.. This virtual comedy escape also aimed to ensure that valued employees remain observant of all COVID-19 precautions even as ‘Covid-fatigue’ sets in. The comedian also provided a much-needed boost to overall employee wellness by joking about some of the things we have had to adapt to, especially with regards to seemingly never-ending virtual meetings. Wellness screenings were also done on the day to help staff gauge their mental health and coping mechanisms as well as sharing tips to improve their physical health. “The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our mental health and well-being in a tremendous way. As an organisation that prides itself in placing value in people, we wanted to provide our staff an experience that inspires joy and laughter while navigating the modern workplace and health challenges. World Safety Day is a key calendar day in our business, and while this year’s event was a change, it was more relevant for our staff at this time. The health of our staff is of utmost importance to us.” says Marilyn Govender, Human Resource and Compliance Manager. As part of our 75-year anniversary celebrations, we also introduced a 75-health challenge, to get people out and moving. This is our way of encouraging some friendly and healthy inter-department competition while continuing the focus on the mental health of employees. “Five teams were created around four activities namely a running team, cycling team, walking team, motor bike riding team and crocheting team. Each team has a target centred around 75, with the walking team completed 7.5 million steps before the end of May for example. The crocheting team pledged to make 75 beanies as well as 75 blankets, which will all be donated to the Babies Behind Bars NPO. Babies Behind Bars is an organisation that assists mothers whose children are born whilst they are serving a prison sentence. The cycling team has a target of 7500km to hit by the end of August, whilst the running team is planning on covered a distance of 75km before the end of May. The innovative motor bike team travelled for 750Km Delmas and Dullstroom. These challenges for the five teams include Atlas Copco staff members from every business area,” concludes Govender.