Energy Sector Highlights Safety at 19th SHAPES Conference

The 19th Energy Safety, Health, and Environment Conference, organized by the Safety and Health Association of the Philippine Energy Sector (SHAPES), concluded successfully on December 11, 2024.

The event, held in collaboration with the Department of Energy (DOE) and other stakeholders, gathered over 120 participants from renewable energy, coal, distribution utilities, and energy service providers.

The conference provided a platform for sharing innovative strategies and best practices aimed at advancing safety, health, and environmental standards within the energy industry.

It also recognized companies and professionals for achieving significant safety milestones, such as operating without lost-time accidents, and for their outstanding contributions to fostering safer workplaces.

Discussions addressed critical health and safety challenges exacerbated by climate change, including disruptions caused by extreme weather events like El Niño and La Niña.

Topics ranged from behavioral-based safety protocols to workplace mental health, underscoring the importance of robust safety frameworks in the complex and hazardous energy sector.

The DOE emphasized its commitment to ensuring health and safety in the industry through policies like the Renewable Energy Safety, Health, and Environment Rules and Regulations (DC No. 2012-11-0009) and the Coal Mine Safety and Health Rules and Regulations (DC No. 2018-012-0038).

Since its inception in 2005, the conference has become an annual gathering that promotes collaboration and continuous improvement across the energy sector.

The event emphasized the critical role of safety and health protocols in the energy sector and the need for their continuous adaptation to address emerging challenges.