MARES Safety Program gets external recognition

APM Terminals Itajaí’s MARES program, which was shortlisted for the Maersk/APM Terminals Global Safety Day awards, has received a major national award from Brazil’s leading safety organisation.

The Prêmio Proteção Brasil 2022 Awards showcase the best safety initiatives in the fifth largest nation in the world. APM Terminals Itajaí stepped up to scoop silver, just two years after launching the MARES program. MARES, which stands for Movement for Attention, Respect and Safety, was created to change behaviours and improve the safety culture at the terminal.

Accident reduction

With the help of program ambassadors and extensive awareness work, accidents were reduced in the terminal by 57% between 2020 and 2021. In addition, the terminal secured a 43% reduction in year-on-year asset damage.

Among the actions taken to drive safety were the creation of safety videos, safety boards, text groups, an App, and newsletters. Workshops were held, and over 7,000 hours were spent on technical training. Toolbox Talks were increased and enhanced, and 60% of Kaizens were dedicated to safety impacts.

Commenting on the effectiveness of the program, Diogo Stupp, HSSE Manager at APM Terminals Itajaí, said: “Mares works on several fronts such as better communication, leadership involvement, technical and behavioural training. It the combination of all these activities together with the commitment of the company and each collaborator, that enable us to achieve this result.”

Chosen from 200 companies

Speaking at the 5th Brazilian Congress of Health and Safety at Work, Alexandre Gusmão, director of the organisers, Proteção Magazine, said the winners are “examples of change” and commended their transition from response to proactivity.

APM Terminals Itajaí was chosen from over 200 companies representing mining, electronics, power generation, civil engineering, healthcare and other sectors, all vying for the country’s most important safety award. The MARES program, will be featured in Brazil’s most important safety magazine as part of a special edition in December.