LABU (Feb 8): AkzoNobel ended 2011 by launching a Dulux [email protected], a Health, Safety and Environmental programme for Primary School community at Sekolah Kebangsaan Labu Batu 10, in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.

The world's largest paints and coatings company decided to end the year with the implementation of [email protected] pilot programme to raise awareness and educate primary and secondary school community including students, teachers, staff & parents through the Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) on the importance of safety, health and sustainability.

A joint collaboration with the Negeri Sembilan Education Department and the Seremban District Education Office, the aim of this programme is to build health, safety and environmental (HSE) awareness at an early age as it gives a deeper and more sustainable impact. State EXCO of Rural Development, Public Affairs and Infrastructure cum Labu State Assemblyman Datuk Hashim Rusdi, was also present to officiate the Dulux [email protected] Leadership programme (Phase 1) to ensure a sustainable HSE culture in schools.

"Every year, AkzoNobel has a Sustainability Agenda where we try our best to advocate sustainability in all facets — business, environment and community. We are pleased to be able to contribute to the community with a meaningful programme that can educate our leaders of tomorrow on the significance of HSE," said CW Goh, managing director of ICI Paints (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.

"With increased awareness in HSE, we are constantly conscious and informed with our surroundings. As our children spend a third of their time in school, increased knowledge on HSE can be of great advantage as this helps prevent occupational safety and health (OSH) related accidents in school and at the same time cultivate the OSH and Green culture for our future generations," added Goh.

Various safety, health & environmental activities were conducted during the two-day programme covering multiple HSE-related engagements including games, workshops, school inspection, tree planting and a Dulux plant tour in Nilai. The HSE workshops covered topics such as "Safety & Health Hazards in Schools", "HSE Regulations", "Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control (HIRARC) in School", as well as "5S", an organisation methodology that focuses on having visual order, organisation, cleanliness and standardisation.

The Dulux [email protected] programme is designed and developed based on the Awareness, Involvement & Engagement (AIE) concept with students, teachers, staff, parents and surrounding communities in mind to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of the project.

It was fun and games later in the day as the participants took part in games as well as a mural painting activity using Dulux's Green products, facilitated by over 50 AkzoNobel employees. As the Dulux [email protected] (Phase 1) programme came to an end, the teachers, staff, and parents of Sekolah Kebangsaan Labu Batu 10 walked away with great prizes and more importantly gain new knowledge on the importance of health, safety and environment before the programme is introduced & extended to the students in 2012.

"In addition to building awareness, Dulux [email protected] equips these students, teachers, staff & parents with discipline in the areas of health and safety. The success of this pilot programme will indeed start a series of [email protected] programmes of which we will roll out over the next few months as part of our sustainability effort," said Goh. — Bernama