With the participation of over a hundred students from the Arturo Pérez Canto school and the Liceo Técnico Profesional Científico Humanista (TPCH), the inaugural ‘Road Safety Fair’ took place in María Elena. This event aimed to promote and cultivate a culture of road safety among children and young people in the Pampina commune.
Organized by SQM Yodo Nutrición Vegetal’s Land Transportation division, the fair received support from the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications and the National Traffic Safety Commission (Conaset).
Alberto Escobar, Deputy Manager of the Land Transportation division at SQM Yodo Nutrición Vegetal, emphasized the importance of the event, stating, ‘For us, this initiative was very significant because we firmly believe that educating children contributes to the development of a road safety culture, with children becoming advocates for safety within their families and communities.’
The fair featured various theoretical and practical workshops where attendees learned about safe driving practices and how to interact with vehicles on the road. They also gained insights into the risks associated with driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, and other factors.
María Elena’s Mayor, Omar Norambuena, commended the initiative, stating, ‘I want to congratulate those who have taken this step because safety is paramount, especially for our students in María Elena who have participated in this significant event through a public-private partnership.’
The fair’s activities were made possible through collaboration with Pacto por la Seguridad Vial and contracting companies of the chemical company, such as Gauss Control, Nazar, Seeing Machines, and Automóvil Club de Chile. These companies showcased simulators, including rollover simulators and practices with anti-clutch boxes, among others.
Additionally, Transporte Nazar presented its electric fleet, allowing students to learn about its composition, functions, and interact with the equipment.
Lucía Parra, a risk preventionist at the Coya Sur SQM Yodo Nutrición Vegetal site, highlighted the involvement of contractor companies in the event, stating, ‘We wanted our contractor companies to participate as they work with us daily in monitoring trucks. Bringing them to this event allowed them to share their experience and knowledge with the community, enriching the understanding of the various controls that help prevent road accidents.’
Ayleen Aguilera, a student at the TPCH High School, expressed gratitude for the event, stating, ‘I feel that it is a very good experience to learn at a young age about accident prevention. Additionally, we learned about electric trucks, making it a great activity.’
Fernanda Madrid, a student at the Arturo Pérez Canto school, praised SQM’s initiative, stating, ‘I think it is wonderful that SQM organizes this activity because it shows that they are taking the necessary measures to prevent accidents in our commune.’
The Road Safety Fair was part of SQM Yodo Nutrición Vegetal’s efforts to raise awareness and promote effective safety management both within and outside its operations. Recently, the company received the RAEV award in the Mining Principal category for the fourth consecutive year. This award, presented by Conaset and Migtra, recognizes cargo transportation companies that have successfully reduced the risks associated with speeding on highways.
