Day Five of OHS Training at Somatua Training Center: Strengthening Workplace Safety Awareness

Central Papua — The training participants at Somatua Training Center entered the fifth day of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) training program on Monday, 19/05/25. This training is attended by students from various backgrounds, including those from the seven indigenous Papuan tribes, with the aim of deepening their knowledge and skills in workplace safety.

This two-week training program delivers a range of essential materials directly taught by experienced coaches in the field of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS). One of the participants, Delkianus Tebai, who comes from Paniai and is a member of the Me tribe, shared his experience during the training.

“I previously worked in Mpaigelah, so I’ve known about Somatua Training Center for quite some time. Many of my friends have joined training programs here, ranging from OHS and welding to heavy equipment. Given my background as a mechanic, I chose to join the OHS training to gain a better understanding of workplace safety,” said Delkianus during an interview.

Delkianus expressed that the training provided him with a wealth of new insights, including a deeper understanding of HIRA (Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment). “I’m grateful to have received HIRA training, which helps us identify hazards in the workplace. Previously, I only had a basic idea about HIRA, but here we truly learned how it works and applied it directly in practice,” he said.

He also highlighted the importance of this training not only for the workplace but also for everyday life. “It turns out that OHS isn’t just for work. We can also apply it at home to ensure the safety of ourselves and our families,” he said.

Somatua Training Center is known as a training hub focused on empowering the indigenous Papuan communities, especially those from the seven tribes. The training certificate awarded upon completion of the program serves as a valuable asset for participants in securing decent employment opportunities.

“My hope after completing this training is that my friends and I will be able to get good jobs. I will continue to recommend this training to others because not only is it high quality, but it also places great emphasis on Indigenous Papuans (OAP) and the seven tribes. The certificate from this program is very important—without it, it’s difficult for us to find work,” Delkianus added.

The OHS program at Somatua Training Center will continue until the end of next week, focusing on field practice and the completion of workplace safety modules designed according to industry standards. (STC)