31 Aug 2015

Teams from Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa mines (OLDM) departments descended at Orapa Sports Hall to compete in the 35^th Inter-Departmental First Aid competitions on Saturday August 29.

The theme of the competition was ‘First-Aid, First on Call, First to Save Live’. Teams that took part were 16 and divided into A and B paddocks to compete in a range of demanding and realistic scenarios, both individuals and as teams to gain an overall score.

Security department performed brilliantly and came top in the first challenge ahead of No.2 Plant Engineering, Letlhakane Mine-Mining and No.2 Plant Ore Processing.

The four teams went on to face each other under Simulation Test and were assessed on their skills when dealing with a serious situation on victims found unconscious, fractured through the use of improvised materials found within vicinity to do first aid treatment for the casualties, and then evacuate them to a place of safety. The judges were looking at the teamwork and level of ability.

Team security department was on a mission as they commanded the scene with a remarkable skills and confidence in handling real life situation and they came first followed by No.2 Plant Ore Processing while No.2 Plant Engineering and Letlhakane Mini-Mining came third and fourth respectively.

The captain of the winning team, Kelebonye Leele said it was really exciting for their team to have been taken part in the competition and went all the way to win the trophy and gold medals.

He went on saying it was good to learn something that could help someone if they needed it in an emergency case. The top two teams would represent OLDM in the Botswana Chamber of Mines Inter-mines First Aid competition to be hosted by Karowe Mine in October 10 in Letlhakane.

Speaking at the event,OLDM general manager, Alan Breen said that the competition was all about learning and practising very important and essential lifesaving skills, which could be put to use not only in their mine work areas but also in the home and on the public roads .

“The winning is not everything, but it does bring with it a sense of pride and achievement to be shared with their teammates, and having all teams and strong competition breeds innovation and improvement.”

The organising committee, Benjamin Moni stated that the competition was great way for the workers and community to strengthen their knowledge while having fun.  “We use acting casualties who demonstrate a variety of everyday emergencies to better the workers’ skills,” he said.

He further said they were in the process of engaging the community to take part in the competition, even though the rules of Botswana Chamber of Mines would not allow them to compete further, but it would help in case the casualties arise at homes. ENDS