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FortisTCI Trains Over 100 Contractors and Their Workers in Environmental Health & Safety Standards

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Contractor Monroe Forbes of 4M Construction (right) receives his ‘Safety Passport’. 

#Providenciales, August 21, 2019 – Turks and Caicos Islands –FortisTCI recently trained 106 contractors and key members of their staff across the Turks and Caicos Islands in a series of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) workshops. The training seminars ensure that contractors working with FortisTCI understand and comply with the company’s Environmental Health and Safety Management Systems (EHSMS).

Participants completed various courses in CPR and First Aid, incident and accident reporting, working in confined spaces, working at heights, forklift operations, spill control, energy control procedures, fire extinguisher use, waste management, security control, business continuity management, housekeeping, waste management, and ethics. Contractors who completed the training were awarded a ‘Safety Passport,’ which gives them the approval to work on FortisTCI jobsites.

Training workshops were held on Providenciales on June 25 and 27 and again from July 16 to 17 for 72 contractors. Training sessions on the sister islands were held thereafter on July 19 and 22 on South Caicos for nine contractors, on Grand Turk from July 25 to 26 for 15 contractors, and on North Caicos from July 29 to 30 for 10 contractors.

The EHS Department and members of senior management at FortisTCI led the series of training sessions. Instructors included Vice President for Grand Turk and Sister Islands Allan Robinson, Grand Turk Operations Manager Neil Allen, Senior Project Engineering Consultant Michael Polonio, Senior Director of Financial Operations Catherine Munsayac, Director of EHS and Line Operations Dave Laing, Director of Plant Control Alvejes Desir, Manager of ISO Management Systems and Business Continuity Sharon Alli-Jose, Manager of EHS Marcus Francis, Senior EHS Coordinator Eustace Musgrove, and Work Methods Specialist Walter Wilson.

FortisTCI President and CEO Eddinton Powell said, “Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) is paramount at FortisTCI. There is no greater commitment we must have to work in the electricity industry. Thanks to the work of our EHS Department and the commitment of our employees and business partners, we live a health and safety culture that is a part of everything we do. Our commitment to training and education in this area and the policies we have established is a further pledge to operating with excellence in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Our focus on health and safety extends beyond our doors at FortisTCI, and I commend and congratulate all participants who completed the recent EHS workshops.

Left photo: Contractor Evan Harvey (right) is presented his ‘Safety Passport’.

“Contractor and workshop participant Oneal Delancy spoke about his experience and said, “FortisTCI is making an important contribution in providing EHS training for contractors, who can improve their work methods not only while working with the company but can use this knowledge for the benefit of their own business and their employees. Ultimately, this training will have a lasting value for local business and the construction section.” Also speaking about the training, contractor Henry Handfield said, “The training was very informative and a great help to us. I am revisiting projects that I have done in the past and implementing the new things I have learnt.”

FortisTCI operates within international best practices and is an ISO 14001:2015, 45001:2018, and 22301:2012 certified company.

Release: FortisTCI

Photo Caption:

Header: Contractors in Grand Turk taking part in the EHS training seminar work together on an exercise to identify safety hazards.

A group of contractors in Provo talks about job safety planning during the FortisTCI EHS training seminar.

 

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Health

Case of Malaria Identified in TCI

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 8th May 2024: A case of malaria has been identified in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The individual is presently stable and receiving treatment. The Public Health team is currently conducting further investigations, however, initial findings indicate the case may be imported. The Ministry of Health and Human Services is working closely with its stakeholders to respond to this finding.

Malaria is an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Malaria is not contagious and cannot spread from one person to another. It is preventable and curable. However, without prompt diagnosis and effective treatment, a case of uncomplicated malaria can progress to a severe form of the disease, which is often fatal without treatment.

There are five species of Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria in humans and 2 of these species – Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax – pose the greatest threat. Not all Anopheles mosquitoes have malaria, but if they bite a person with malaria, they can become infectious.

Symptoms

Malaria symptoms range from very mild illness to severe disease and even death. The first symptoms of malaria usually begin within 10–15 days after the bite from an infected mosquito. Early symptoms can include:

  • Fever and flu-like illness
  • Chills
  • Headache, muscle aches, and tiredness
  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur

If not treated quickly, the infection can become severe.  If Plasmodium falciparum malaria is not treated within 24 hours, the infection can progress to severe illness and death.

Severe symptoms can include:

  • kidney failure
  • seizures
  • mental confusion
  • coma

See a healthcare provider as soon as possible if:

  • you are experiencing any of the symptoms of malaria, and
  • you have traveled in the last year to or from an area where malaria occurs

Only a healthcare provider can diagnose malaria. A lab test via microscopy and/or rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) will confirm malaria using a small sample of your blood.

Prescription drugs can treat and cure malaria.

Prevention

Persons traveling to countries where malaria is endemic should take precautions to prevent infection including taking chemoprophylaxis (use of medications to prevent infection).

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page onhttps://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.

 

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News

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL STATEMENT REGARDING RECENT THREATS MADE AGAINST TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AIRPORTS AND SCHOOLS

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May 6th, 2024 – As co-chairs of the National Security Council, Her Excellency the Governor and the Honourable Premier condemn strongly recent threats made against Turks and Caicos Islands airports and schools.

We have zero tolerance for these disruptions and the alarm that they cause. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) continues to work closely with partner agencies and will keep the public updated as we manage the situation.

The National Security Council wishes to reassure residents, travellers and parents that the safety and security of our Islands is its highest priority.

All appropriate measures are being taken to address these threats and all required security protocols are being followed.

The Airports Authority and the Ministry of Education, with school principals are collaborating with the RTCIPF  investigations.

We encourage the public to be extra vigilant against phishing and malicious emails and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

We appreciate the understanding of the public as we work to ensure the safety and well-being of our airports, schools and communities.

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TCI News

Bomb Threat No 6. In TEN days

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer

“Our daughter is on the plane and they took them off the plane and we don’t know where the people are—she called— and we haven’t been able to get a hold of her since” the words of a panicked parent and one example of the chaos that criminals making malicious bomb threats on the Turks and Caicos’ airports are causing.

That parent was one of many residents waiting anxiously outside the Providenciales International Airport on Sunday, May 5th after Bomb threats were yet again filed against it; simultaneously threats were also made against the JAGS McCartney Airport in Grand Turk.

The couple, speaking to Wilkie  Arthur, Magnetic Media Court Correspondent,  were sitting in their car, the mother in tears, watching as travelers were made to disembark and leave the airport for their own safety.

The TCIAA confirms that it quickly evacuated travellers who were on board the aircraft on the runway at the time, via gates in airport fencing.

Arthur spoke to pilots who were frustrated at the delay.

”From our perspective, this flight is canceled.“ One of them told Arthur.

They expressed the same concern that other residents had shared with Magnetic Media, that it was time for the police to find the culprits behind the repeated threats which have turned out in all cases so far to be hoaxes.

Magnetic Media observed dozens of resident travelers mowing about on the tarmac and outside of the airport just waiting for police to finish their bomb threat protocol for the sixth time in 10 days.

The other threats came on Friday, April 26, Saturday, April 27, and Monday, April 29 (2) all via email.

Eventually, passengers were observed going back through security to reboard their  flights.

It’s the first time in six encounters that no word has come from the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority about the bomb threat, and when Arthur tried to approach the airport to film, he was told not to.

Based on eyewitness reports, several flights were delayed, including at least one international flight to Texas.

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