Sands China Hosting Occupational Safety and Health Month
Company's 6th year hosting large-scale campaign to encourage safe and healthy habits for team members
(Macao, Nov 9, 2023) – Sands China Ltd. inaugurated its OSH Month with an opening ceremony Monday at The Venetian®️ Macao's heart-of-house area. It is the company's 6th consecutive year hosting a large-scale campaign to raise awareness of occupational safety and health (OSH) among team members while encouraging the development of regular exercise and healthy dietary habits.
Throughout November, Sands China is hosting a diverse range of activities to engage team members, including interactive game booths, roadshows, seminars, and competitions. The primary objective is to educate and motivate team members to prioritise their OSH awareness, physical fitness, and dietary habits.
Dr. Wilfred Wong, president of Sands China Ltd., said: "As the largest private employer in Macao, Sands China remains committed to the occupational safety and health of our team members and to prioritising their well-being through a focus on safety, health, and prevention. With OSH Month 2023, our goal is to promote a safe and healthy workplace by providing education, fostering healthy habits, and highlighting our departments' outstanding achievements in occupational safety and health."
Highlights of this year's OSH Month include:
- Nutritional consultations: Nutritionists will provide on-site consultations for team members, incorporating the concept of the Glycaemic Index (GI) into the existing "traffic light" food and beverage labelling at team member restaurants. This initiative aims to help team members understand the relationship between the Glycaemic Index and their overall health. Nutritionists will also educate team members about the GI values of various foods, enhancing their awareness of healthy dietary choices.
- Exercise promotion: Team members are being encouraged to participate in stretching exercises through online tutorial videos and sports promotional materials. Additionally, surprise exercise flash mob activities are being organised, led by OSH ambassadors who will visit different departments and guide team members in simple exercises, fostering a culture of regular physical activity.
- OSH Quiz competition: Team members will get a chance to join a competition covering four categories, namely health index, occupational safety and health, healthy eating, and exercise. By encouraging team members to study and understand relevant information before the competition, their awareness and understanding of occupational safety and health will be further enhanced.
- Continuous reinforcement of OSH knowledge: Occupational safety and health tips will be regularly distributed through the company's intranet and major internal promotion platforms to ensure continuous reinforcement of OSH knowledge. This approach aims to transform knowledge into habits and help team members maintain a high level of awareness.
As the first integrated resort operator in Macao to establish OSH-related awards, Sands China will continue its tradition of recognising departments that have demonstrated excellence in occupational safety and health.
Sands China signed its Occupational Safety and Health Charter in 2017, aiming to foster collaboration between employers and employees, promote a safe and healthy working environment, and establish a comprehensive occupational safety and health management system. Since the charter's signing, team members have attended various OSH training sessions organised by DSAL or Sands China, totalling nearly 270,000 training hours to date.
Sands China has also been a pioneer in introducing and training its OSH wardens – team members with specialised training in occupational safety and health. OSH wardens regularly meet with various departments to formulate precautionary measures, supervise related practices, and follow up to ensure that all OSH objectives are met. With over 100 wardens trained in 2023, the company now has nearly 840 OSH wardens.
Sands China has achieved measurable results in the workplace through its ongoing OSH efforts. In October 2019, its facilities department obtained ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certifications for its Integrated Management System, and another seven departments have obtained ISO 45001 certification. The company is working to extend certification to other departments, and a cross-departmental OSH Committee continues to oversee supervision, management (through ISO certification and Kaizen strategy), and education of occupational safety and health while enhancing the frequency of field inspections to build a safe workplace.
Photo caption: Guests of honour kick off Sands China's OSH Month with an opening ceremony Monday at The Venetian Macao, in promotion of occupational safety and health (OSH) at Sands China properties.
Left to right: Dr. Au Yeung Wai, Centro Medico Huixian; Nico S. F. Hong, Assistant General Manager of China Taiping Insurance (Macau) Co., Ltd.; Ng Siu Lai, Director of the General Union of Neighbourhood Associations of Macao; Wong Chi Hong, Director of the Macao SAR Government Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL); Dr. Wilfred Wong, President of Sands China Ltd.; Ho Sut Heng, President of the Macao Federation of Trade Unions; Ng Ka Teng, Vice President of The Women's General Association of Macau; and Cecelia Wong, Director of the Macao Nutrition Exchange Association.
Photo caption: A Sands China team member joins an OSH challenge at the opening ceremony of OSH Month Monday at The Venetian Macao.