Building a safer working environment through emergency preparedness, practical skills and a culture of safety.
African Sun Energy’s Operations and Maintenance (O&M) team recently participated in comprehensive safety training conducted in collaboration with Francistown Fire Station. The training focused on first aid, fire safety and fire marshal responsibilities, reinforcing the company’s commitment to protecting its employees, maintaining safe working environments and promoting a strong safety culture across its operations.
As a renewable energy company operating in environments that require strict adherence to health and safety standards, African Sun Energy recognises the importance of equipping its teams with the knowledge and practical skills needed to respond effectively to workplace emergencies, whether in the office or out in the field.
First Aid Training: Preparing for Emergencies
The first aid training equipped team members with essential life-saving skills to respond to medical emergencies and workplace injuries before professional medical assistance arrives.
Key topics covered included assessing an emergency scene, checking responsiveness, calling for assistance, performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), placing an injured or unresponsive person in the recovery position, and managing bleeding, burns, fractures and choking incidents.
Participants also received guidance on the correct use of first aid kits and handling common workplace injuries. Practical demonstrations allowed team members to practise CPR and bandaging techniques, helping them build confidence in responding to emergency situations.
These skills are particularly important for O&M teams working at solar installations, where prompt and appropriate responses can help reduce the severity of injuries and support the safety of colleagues and others on site.
Fire Safety Training: Prevention and Response
Fire safety training focused on understanding fire hazards, preventing outbreaks and responding appropriately when a fire occurs.
Participants learned about the fire triangle, common causes of workplace fires, including electrical faults and flammable materials, and the different classes of fire and types of fire extinguishers. The session also highlighted fire prevention measures applicable to offices, solar installations and homes.
Additional topics included emergency evacuation procedures, identifying designated assembly points, maintaining good housekeeping practices and storing flammable materials safely. Particular emphasis was placed on understanding why water must not be used to extinguish electrical fires, as doing so can create additional risks.
A practical demonstration on the use of fire extinguishers helped reinforce the importance of selecting and operating the appropriate equipment when responding to a fire.
Fire Marshal Training: Strengthening On-Site Safety Leadership
The third component of the programme focused on fire marshal training, highlighting the responsibilities of designated personnel in supporting fire prevention and coordinating emergency responses.
Fire marshals play an important role in identifying and reporting fire hazards, ensuring that emergency exits and firefighting equipment remain accessible, and helping guide staff to designated assembly points during an evacuation. They are also responsible for assisting vulnerable individuals, checking that personnel are accounted for, supporting regular fire drills and inspections, and maintaining relevant fire safety records.
Following the training, fire marshals were appointed to strengthen emergency preparedness and improve fire safety compliance at the workplace and plant.
This initiative reinforces the importance of having clearly defined responsibilities and trained personnel who can help coordinate an orderly and effective response when emergencies occur.
Building a Stronger Safety Culture
At African Sun Energy, safety is an essential part of delivering reliable renewable energy solutions. From the installation and maintenance of solar systems to the ongoing operation of energy infrastructure, protecting employees, contractors and the communities in which the company operates remains a priority.
The collaboration with Francistown Fire Station provided the O&M team with valuable knowledge, practical experience and a clearer understanding of their responsibilities in emergency situations.
By investing in training, strengthening emergency response capabilities and promoting proactive hazard identification, African Sun Energy continues to build a workplace culture in which safety is a shared responsibility.
A safer workplace starts with preparedness. Through continuous learning and collaboration, African Sun Energy is committed to ensuring that its teams are better equipped to protect themselves, their colleagues and the communities they serve.
Media Contact:
Tachenama Nomsa Pusoetsile
Marketing & PR Officer
African Sun Energy
Email: pusoetsile@africansunenergy.com | Phone: +267 2404895
