At Metinvest's iron ore enrichment plants in Kryvyi Rih, exactly a year ago, the work of fire-fighting units and first aid units was introduced. They are formed from employees in each production shift who are prepared to act correctly during emergency situations, including those that may be caused by hostilities. Today, training in algorithms of actions in case of emergencies are held monthly.
Since the beginning of 2025, 56 trainings have been held for employees in the structural divisions of the plants on responding to fires as a result of hostilities and providing assistance to victims. Also, employees master the algorithm of actions in case of detection of explosive objects: Currently, 50 trainings have been already finished, another 119 will be held by the end of the year.
Teams are ready for potential power outages: Regularly at production sites, employees work out the procedure for safe actions in the event of blackouts during exercises. 103 of such trainings have been held since the beginning of the year. And in total, it is planned to carry out 320 of them, covering the maximum number of GOKs' employees.
"Training of employees' skills in case of emergencies is part of the implementation of the occupational health and safety program," said Maksym SOVENKO, Acting Head of the Occupational Health and Safety Department of Metinvest Iron Ore Enrichment Works. "Employees first of all master the ability to provide assistance to victims of crisis situations and hostilities. Comprehensive trainings are held according to the schedule. Regular practical classes are organized for pre-medical care units with the involvement of professional doctors. For firefighting links, training is conducted by enterprise trainers: The participants carry out measures to localize and extinguish fires using primary means, preventing the spread of fire and minimizing negative consequences.”
The comprehensive nature of the trainings allows employees to test their skills, train skills, consolidate knowledge, and coordinate interaction with colleagues.
"Our team maintains the equipment of Pervomaisky open pit mine. There are enough production risks, and the war has brought with it military threats. And time in such situations is the most valuable resource," says Oleksandr SAMOYLENKO, a fitter on duty and equipment repair fitter of the Maintenance Service Shop No. 2 of Northern Iron Ore. "It is important to constantly practice the existing knowledge and skills at work correctly, quickly and in time to respond in case of an emergency. I've completed trainings in first aid. Firefighting trainings are also regularly held at our enterprise. In the link, each employee has certain functions, and for success it is important to strictly perform your own ones. In order to save lives and health of our colleagues without panic and hesitation in the event of trouble.”
