At AfrAsia, as per our Safety and Health policy, we have a Safety and Health Committee in place as well as a Safety & Health Officer on a full-time basis, who conducts weekly inspections of our Mauritian premises. Unsafe conditions are reported through the committee members and we have an Accident at Work procedure to cope with work-related incidents and ill-health. The committee meets regularly and discusses on remedial actions, recommendations and suggestions to prevent and mitigate identified health & safety impacts linked to the Bank.
Additionally, safety trainings are dispensed to our staff and subcontractors (cleaners, tea ladies and security officers) and ergonomic chairs and equipment are provided to our employees to prevent discomfort and soft tissue injuries and musculoskeletal disorders caused by repetitive motion and awkward posture.
We are pleased to report no work-related accidents for the financial year.
The outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) since the beginning of the year has brought the aspect Safety and Health at work to the limelight. The Bank mandated a maximum number of its employees to work remotely during the lockdown period. Front Liners such as those based in our branches were provided with disposable masks and gloves when they had to come to work. During this crisis period, safety training on COVID-19 was dispensed to all employees through Microsoft teams.
Currently, with all the restrictions related to COVID-19 lifted in Mauritius, we are still promoting remote working, the provision of disposable masks to all our employees, taking of temperature for those coming to the branch and maintenance of social distancing at our premises.