Injuries and hazardous conditions
Statkraft's Code of conduct establishes that we must work to achieve a healthy working environment with zero injuries, and that we will not engage in any activity that endangers life or health. Through a systematic effort, the Group has halved the injury frequency for own employees over the last three years, but 53 injuries in 2009 show that major challenges remain. The injury frequency for contractors is higher than the injury frequency for own employees.
24 lost-time injuries in 2009
The LTI rate (number of lost-time injuries per million working hours) was 3.8 in 2009, compared with 4.6 in 2008, while the TRI rate (number of injuries per million working hours) was 8.4 in 2009, compared with 12.1 in 2008. Increased attention from the management and personal commitment, as well as a clear goal of zero injuries, are assumed to be the reasons for the positive development. In addition, there has been more focus on reporting and analysis of both incidents and hazardous conditions, as well as stricter requirements related to investigation of serious conditions.
In total, 24 lost-time injuries, 229 absence days due to injuries and 53 injuries were recorded in 2009. In addition, 19 lost-time injuries were recorded among Statkraft's contractors. The injury frequency for the Group's contractors was 6.7 in 2009, and we are now strengthening the follow-up of safety among our contractors, both in the consolidated and associated activities.
The Group's HSE performance for own employees has improved significantly in recent years, but measures and efforts to minimise the number of injuries will continue to have high priority. We have an expressed desire to learn from injuries and hazardous conditions. The safety culture in the Group must therefore be characterised by transparency, cooperation and willingness to comply. In 2009, 5597 hazardous conditions and near-misses were recorded in the Group.
An effort is now underway to ensure that the recording and follow-up of incidents involving safety hazards take place in a uniform manner. Furthermore, the concern for personal safety will be more clearly incorporated in all project development processes.
Low and stable absence due to illness
Absence due to illness in the Statkraft Group has been stable in recent years and was in 3.3 per cent in 2009. The objective is to keep the absence due to illness below 4 per cent. All Norwegian companies in the Group are so-called IA companies, which entails active follow-up of absence and close cooperation with the company health service.
