Swift and precise emergency responses are never a coincidence; they are the result of rigorously tested systems. To strengthen the reliability of its emergency preparedness, Harita Nickel, through its business units PT Halmahera Jaya Feronikel (HJF) and PT Dharma Cipta Mulia (DCM), recently rolled out comprehensive integrated rescue and medical simulations.
Conducted separately by the two units, these drills served as a crucial stress test for cross-departmental collaboration when facing real-world crises on the ground.
Testing the Integrated Medical System in a Mass Poisoning Scenario
At PT HJF, the drill centered on a medical emergency scenario involving mass food poisoning at the employee mess hall. Initial reports to the Command Center indicated that several employees were experiencing severe nausea, dizziness, and stomach cramps just one hour after lunch.
To test the system’s capacity on a large scale, the simulation involved 15 "victims." Ten were categorized with mild to moderate symptoms (green and yellow triage), while five were in severe condition (red triage). The severe cases were simulated to have experienced repeated vomiting and diarrhea up to ten times—a critical condition that, in reality, threatens to cause severe dehydration and rapid electrolyte imbalance.
Strict triage implementation was key to the crisis response. Red-category patients were immediately evacuated to the Emergency Room (ER) for intensive care, while the others received outpatient treatment.
PT HJF Medical & Paramedic Supervisor, Sugianto, explained that the food poisoning drill aimed to comprehensively evaluate system readiness and identify operational bottlenecks when handling large-scale cases that demand cross-departmental teamwork.
Echoing the urgency, Harita Nickel Site Medical Doctor, dr. Randy Palittin Tonapa, emphasized the fatal risks of massive bodily fluid loss. "Symptoms of vomiting more than three times accompanied by severe stomach cramps must be treated immediately to prevent drops in blood pressure and even loss of consciousness," dr. Randy warned.
Adhering to the principle that "time saving is life saving," he urged employees not to panic during an emergency. Instead, they are advised to contact the Command Center immediately so the integrated medical team can be dispatched to the scene without delay.
Evaluating Operational Rescue Procedures
Emergency response capabilities were also put to the test at PT DCM through an occupational accident drill in the stone crusher area. The team's agility was measured in a scenario where an employee was trapped in a belt conveyor after the machine suddenly turned on during maintenance.
Upon receiving the emergency report, the Command Center immediately orchestrated the deployment of a joint response team—consisting of Fire and Emergency Services (FES), Clinic, Security, and Safety personnel—to conduct rapid extraction operations and administer first aid.
PT DCM OHS Superintendent, Priyo Adi Pamungkas, explained that the simulation serves as both an educational and evaluative tool to refine evacuation procedures, triage protocols, and identify operational gaps. "The primary goal is to evaluate collaboration among our response teams before we face actual emergencies in the field," he emphasized.
The successful execution of these two drills demonstrates that Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) at Harita Nickel is a dynamic, constantly evolving system. Through continuous procedure evaluations and integrated training, the company ensures that all emergency response elements remain perpetually on standby to protect its most valuable asset: its employees.