ALK-Abelló is building up a cross-organizational structure for work on safety, health and environment (SHE). Leading this work is a management responsibility and it requires focus on the company's roles and responsibilities towards a wide variety of stakeholders.
The process of implementing a systematic method of handling the most important aspects of safety, health and environment has been initiated. The system is being structured on the basis of the guidelines for ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001. From the very beginning, the company thus meets the requirements of both Danish and foreign authorities and has the option of further integrating the management tool with standards for quality management.
Aiming at certification
ALK-Abelló's work on SHE encompasses its headquarters in Hørsholm and the production sites in Stenløse (Denmark), Madrid (Spain), Round Rock, Port Washington, Spokane and Spring Mills (USA).
The goal for the work on SHE is aimed at achieving a basis for certification. Standards and action plans are gradually sustained throughout the organization. The first steps to develop an overall SHE manual and the general company-wide procedures have been taken. Risks have already been mapped and assessed in every department. In 2006, concrete targets and action plans will be introduced, preparing procedures and instructions, and appointing and training internal auditors.
The first SHE report applying the new measurements will be published at the end of 2006. On the environmental side, it will include data on the consumption of water, energy and materials, and on emissions of waste water, CO2, NOx and SO2. ALK-Abelló has already started taking measurements this year, so the 2005/06 annual report can present comparisons for key data over two years.
Employees and accidents
An important part of the work on SHE relates to employee safety and well-being, which are e.g. measured via occupational injury frequency and the rate of absence due to sick leave.
The occupational injury target is an annual level of maximum nine injuries per million working hours, which is the average for the industry. In 2004/05, the frequency was 4.9, and there were no serious injuries. But every injury is one injury too many, and so ALK-Abelló is working constantly to control and reduce the risk of injury. Absence due to sick leave has been around 3% this year, which matches the average for manufacturing companies in Denmark.
ALK-Abelló uses indicators and figures which can typically be compared directly with other companies in the industry. Once the foundation is in place, new indicators are expected to be added.
Organization
The Board of Management at ALK-Abelló is responsible for approving the SHE management system, policies, vision, overall goals and action plans. On an everyday basis, this work is organized by a Group SHE Director, who works closely with local SHE managers to ensure that procedures and action plans are followed by the employees. The entire system and actual compliance are audited by internal auditors, and the work on SHE is assessed periodically by national and local authorities. Annual reporting ensures that external stakeholders are informed about the progress in this field.