PTPN, short for Perkebunan Nusantara, is a state-owned enterprise in the plantation sector, while state electricity company PLN, or Perusahaan Listrik Negara, is responsible for managing the national electricity supply.
"Workplace safety is the foundation of sustainable plantation business. PLN’s presence alongside PalmCo to directly educate harvesters reflects a concrete step toward creating a safe working environment," PTPN IV PalmCo President Director Jatmiko Santosa noted in a statement on Friday.
Themed "Safe Harvest, Safe from Electrical Hazards," the initiative aims to raise awareness among field workers about the potential dangers of electricity, especially when harvesting with long tools near power lines.
“This initiative also reflects our commitment to not only pursue productivity but also to ensure every worker returns home safely,” Jatmiko affirmed.
According to the president director, electrical safety education is particularly relevant, given the intense harvesting activities, many of which take place near medium-voltage distribution lines—posing fatal risks if workers are unaware of the hazards.
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PLN's North Sumatra Regional General Manager, Ahmad Syauki, emphasized that such educational programs should be conducted regularly to foster a strong safety mindset among workers and communities.
“Routine tasks like harvesting may seem trivial, but without proper safety knowledge, they can lead to dangerous situations,” Ahmad cautioned.
PLN and PTPN jointly held the session interactively in the field, covering topics such as the dangers of using metal tools near power lines, ways to identify hazardous electrical conditions like sagging wires or leaning poles, and first aid measures during electrical incidents.
This initiative complements PalmCo’s broader strategy to achieve Zero Fatality across its operational units. As of April 2025, PTPN IV PalmCo has certified over 160 work units to SMK3 standards and trained 268 General Occupational Safety Experts (AK3U) across its regions.
“We will continue to expand such training to other areas to ensure all our workers—our most valuable assets—understand the critical importance of safety,” Jatmiko remarked.
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Translator: Primayanti
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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