PT Freeport Indonesia Awarded for its HIV/AIDS Program in the Workplace

PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) has won "the Best of the Best" award for its HIV/AIDS Program in the workplace. The Government of Indonesia presented the award after rating PTFI's HIV/AIDS program as the most effective in the country. 55 contenders with similar programs were considered for the award, and PTFI emerged the best among the best.

PTFI has been running HIV/AIDS programs for the community in local areas around its locations of operation. The programs are run through the company's Public Health and Malaria Control Community Division. The company has been executing these programs since 2004.

PTFI's Public Health and Malaria Control program, as well as the HIV/AIDS programs, have several areas of focus. Some of the key areas include disease prevention campaigns, educational and training workshops for the employees and their family members, adhering to Standard Operating Procedures in medical examinations, diagnosis and prevention of STDs, an anti-discrimination policy towards infected patients and cooperation with the Government of Indonesia to tackle HIV/AIDS at the workplace.

Health and safety of the workforce is one of the core values at PTFI. The company believes that safety and health performance is a key indicator of a successful and well-managed business. The company's goal is to achieve zero occupational illnesses and workplace injuries. Its commitment to safe production is led by programs for risk assessment and hazard identification, auditing, training, incident investigation and safety incentives.

Safety at PTFI is a direct line management responsibility. It is driven from the top down and enforced with the help of a formal structure that begins with its Safety and Health policy. Comprehensive audits are conducted and submitted to the Board of Directors to ensure that the safety management system is effective. The audits identify the weaknesses in the system, which is followed by an application of resources to achieve the safety and health policy objectives of the company. Internal safety audits and inspections supplement the independent audits to focus on specific workplace and operational hazards.

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