Suez Cement runs with Helwan Governorate to boost awareness on Environment and Safety at work
Helwan, 27 April 2009. Continuing a tradition, Helwan Cement Company, one of the subsidiaries of Suez Cement group of Companies, has pledged its support and sponsored Helwan Governorate 2009 Marathon. The event took place on April 23 and it aimed to boost awareness on environment and safety and health at work.
Suez Cement group, composed by Suez Cement Company, Helwan Cement Company and Tourah Portland Cement Company, has been participating in the marathon since its launch as the main partner. Thousands of people, including Suez Cement group’s employees, participated in the race as strong indication of their support for this prominent sport’s event.
Mr. Sanad Morad, plant manager of Tourah Cement said: “We are proud to join Helwan Governorate in their efforts to bring greater awareness on the importance to protect and safeguard the environment. As social responsible Company we strongly believe in being environmentally conscious and protecting our surroundings. Therefore, in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and the World Bank in 2008, we have started the implementation of the EPAP II (Environmental Pollution Abatement Project) at Tourah Cement plant. This project has been designed to minimize dust emissions from the main stacks through the conversion of three electrostatic precipitators and the replacement of gravel bed filters with bag houses”.
At the end of the race, the employees’ children were gathered at Tourah quarry to plant trees. "We are giving plants to our children instead of medals to encourage them to plant trees in our quarry and enhance the value of our landscape" Tourah plant manager added.
In 2008, a surface of 40,000 square meters was designated as a new green area in Tourah Cement plant, and more than 20,000 trees were planted over the concealed historical bypass area.
Recognizing the importance of promoting safety and health at work, the event was also an occasion for Suez Cement group to start the celebration together with its employees, the local community of Helwan and the local authorities of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work that occurs on the 28 of April of each year.
Mr. Ahmed El Sawy, plant manager of Helwan Cement underlined: “This event is one of the initiatives undertaken by Suez Cement group to raise awareness on Safety and Health at work. Safety and Health of our employees and contractors is our first concern”.
On a wider level, Suez Cement group had launched the nationwide multimedia awareness-raising campaign “Salamtak Bel Donia” (Your Safety is Your Life) implemented in coordination with the International Labour Organization [ILO] and the Ministry of Manpower and Migration to promote a culture of safety and the importance of principles and methods of safety and accidents’ prevention.
