Health and safety

An area where SCA strives for continuous improvement is the health and safety of employees and contractors who work at our sites.

 Bradley Sun, EHS engineer at SCA Packaging Asia, is checking emergency stop and lock out devices on printing machines at a Chinese plant.

Decentralized responsibility

Accountability for delivering on SCA’s commitment to provide employees with a safe, stimulating and non-discriminatory work environment is devolved through the line organization. Local facilities are required to develop and implement appropriate management systems, procedures, and training in line with the SCA Group Health and Safety Guidelines.

Site certification

Many SCA facilities use national or international management systems such as OHSAS 18001 to assist in their efforts towards improvements in health and safety. The standard is aimed at assisting companies to manage operational risks and improve performance. To date more than 30 SCA production facilities are certified in accordance with OHSAS 18001. During 2007 four production sites were newly certified and 20 production sites plan to obtain certification during 2008.

Accident statistics

Workrelated injuries and illnesses are tracked and reported at all sites throughout the SCA Group, with a particular focus on incidents resulting in time away from work (Lost Time Accidents). As of 2005, SCA also tracks dangerous occurences and minor accidents that do not result in injury or absence from work.

Of SCA’s production plants, 33 (50) were free from accidents and injuries during 2007.

Tragically two employees and one contractor lost their lives at SCA workplaces during the year, despite overall improvements in accident and injury statistics.

During 2007, SCA in China focused on enhancing safety culture. Activities included fire-fighting exercises, first-aid training, thermo-graphic surveys at all sites to eliminate the possible causes of electrical fire and a knowledge-based safety competition.

Blood Borne Viral Infection

SCA recognizes the seriousness of blood borne virus infections such as Hepatitis and HIV/ Aids and the potential impact they could have on the workplace and lives of employees. SCA is therefore addressing blood borne viral infection proactively in a supportive and non-discriminatory manner in collaboration with its employees. During 2007 a suite of documents summarizing SCA’s view on blood borne viral infection and how it should be dealt with within the organization was developed to guide local SCA companies. Work will be undertaken in 2008 to communicate this throughout the organization.

SCA continuously measures, reports and publicises key indicators for all operations:

• Number of Lost Time Accidents (LTA)
• Number of Days Lost (DLA)
• Accident Severity Rate (ASR)
• Incidence Rate (IR)
• Frequency Rate (FR)

Health and safety, key figures