Occupational Health and Safety
The health and safety of our people at both work and outside of work is paramount to us.
Our commitments are set out in our Oceania Health and Safety Policy and are delivered through a Nestlé Safety, Health and Environment System which is based on the international standard, OHSAS 18001.
We’ve improved our Health and Safety Performance dramatically over the past five years. Our key measure, Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR), has dropped by some 70% since 2004. In 2009, we’re aiming to further reduce our Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate to less than three injuries per million hours.
While our performance has improved significantly, our ultimate goal is to develop a zero-injury culture right across our business. This will require some new thinking and innovation going forward, including a new set of behavioural leadership expectations for all employees, a ‘near miss’ reporting and investigation program, a focus on specific issues such as manual handling, and better risk reduction strategies to stop injuries happening from the outset.
We recognise innovation and safety achievements through our Workplace Safety Awards. Key achievements, championed by our people, over 2008 included:
Choc Chip Vacuum System at Wahgunyah Factory – The lifting of 10kg boxes of choc chips above shoulder height was identified as a hazardous manual handling activity using the Nestlé Risk Matrix. Options were examined, and it was decided to use an innovative technique where the operator vacuums the chips out of a tub located at waist height. The operator places the suction hose into a large plastic tub containing choc chips and proceeds to perform other tasks. The chips are vacuumed/sucked into an overhead hose and delivered to the chip feed hopper. There is no deterioration or damage to the chips in this transfer. The cost of the project was $15,000.
Fan Cooling at Gympie – The installation of a new fan cooling system significantly increased air flow in affected areas, resulting in increased comfort during summer. The energy-running cost of the new approach is only 2.5% of that of air-conditioning and environmental benefits include the avoided use of refrigerants and low energy use.
Wall of Safety at Campbellfield – A new format of communication was released in the form of a visual 'before and after' scenario along with a risk assessment score. This has provided an opportunity to display, communicate and prioritise safety concerns and issues to all employees and the factory where necessary. Since the inception of the Wall of Safety in early September 2007, a zero recordable injury record has been achieved.
Patisserie Packing Room Safety Upgrade at Chalet – The engineering project aimed to eliminate the amount of manual handling in the site’s packing room and create a smooth flow of packed product. This has resulted in the elimination of a significant strain risk. The goal was to make sure the heights and widths were suitable for all staff working in the area. The operators were also involved in the layout of the packing line. Also the process time for each cake has been reduced, minimising impacts of temperature fluctuations on product. The project has also eliminated the use of all wooden pallets in the area.
Nestlé Uncle Tobys’ Wahgunyah factory also received the 2008 Victoria WorkSafe Award for ‘Best Strategy for Health and Safety Management’. Uncle Tobys’ manual handling risk reduction strategy was developed in consultation with employee Health and Safety Representatives, managers and a range of external stakeholders.
To download a copy of our Health and Safety Policy Oceania, click here.
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