Health and safety
Trelleborg’s Code of Conduct emphasizes the objective of preventing work-related injuries and illnesses at all of the Group’s workplaces globally.
Trelleborg’s Safety@Work program supports the organizational change that is required to create a culture of safety and strengthens the Group’s ability to attract, develop and retain good employees in all units. In 2008, all active production units underwent Safety@Work training, conducted self-assessments and developed a plan for preventive and corrective measures. More than 50 trained internal auditors performed audits at more than half of the plants. The combined result of these activities was the development of an improvement program that aims to reduce the risks at these units. Accordingly, the Safety@Work program has been introduced globally at all active production units from 2008. The progress of the Safety@Work program is monitored by the company’s CR reporting structure.
To date, injuries and illness have decreased in all of the countries in which the program was applied.
Trelleborg’s facilities continue to demonstrate a declining trend in terms of cases of work-related injuries/illnesses. In 2008, 768 (854) cases resulting in more than one day’s absence were reported, corresponding to a reduction of 10 percent compared with 2007. About 34 percent involved injuries in connection with the handling of materials, 25 percent were a result of contact with machines or other equipment, while 20 percent were due to injuries from a fall or slip. New key performance indicators have been introduced for 2009, with the aim of reducing the number of injuries and the number of days lost due to absenteeism.
Total absenteeism for 2008 at the Group’s production units was 4 percent of normal working hours. Trelleborg’s goal is that all facilities should have a well-functioning safety committee.
In 2008, such committees with representation from plant management were in place at 131 of 135 facilities.