AGM Inc records 1 million man-hours

Aurora Gold Mines Inc, a subsidiary of Guyana Goldfields, on Sunday revealed that its gold mine in Aurora has recorded more than one million man-hours without a Lost Time Injury (LTI).
The company employs 729 Guyanese at the Aurora mine site in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), which makes more than 96 per cent of the mine’s total workforce Guyanese.
“This significant milestone is the start of a journey after achieving four million-plus man-hours without any LTI in 2017. AGM Inc’s immediate goal is to get back to over four million man-hours without LTI,” Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer Suresh Kalathil stated.
In a release issued by the company, it stated that reaching this important milestone further demonstrated AGM Inc’s commitment to eliminating unsafe conditions, behaviours and workers’ injuries throughout the company’s operations.
“This significant safety milestone is a reflection of everyone’s commitment and efforts toward enhancing a safe working environment for all,” Kalathil added.
Kamal Deodat, a welder from the Mill Maintenance Department, said, “Safety is a job not just for people who have ‘safety’ in their title. It’s a job for everyone, everywhere, every day. It never stops.”

Of the achievement, President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Caldwell said that Guyana Goldfields believes in a proactive approach to all aspects of health and safety, driven through a programme of consistent employee engagement to ensure the best working conditions for all employees and contractors across all its facilities. He commended everyone involved on achieving “such a great feat”.
Senior Safety Coordinator Rondie Phillips related that reaching the million man-hours LTI free, the project’s team has demonstrated commitment to a safe culture by focusing on making safety a core value and not just a priority, with strong visible leadership from line management setting the example for all, to ensure everyone goes home without harm every day.
“Our employees are a part of something very important. They are devoted to creating a culture of excellence,” Phillips said.
In its mission to keep workers’ safety as the highest value, People Manager Peter Benny said, AGM Inc has incorporated several initiatives and corporate changes that encourage every employee’s participation and input. The company-wide workers’ safety programme comprises core elements that are essential to achieving and maintaining a strong safety and health programme.
By implementing these elements, which include hazard prevention programmes, daily work-site analysis, safety awareness training and strong management-employee relationships, Benny said, AGM Inc can continue keeping workers’ safety as a core value.