INDICATOR: 11.9.5
Worker participation, consultation and communication on occupational health and safety
Percentage of the total workforce represented on formal health and safety committees, which are jointly attended by management and employee representatives, who help monitor and advise on workplace health and safety programs:
All staff are represented (100%). The committees participate in periodic meetings with the management of the respective facilities and make suggestions for improvements in their workplace regarding Health and Safety.
Health & safety issues covered in formal agreements with trade unions:
See also Table of Certifications in disclosure 2-24, OHSAS 18001/ELOT 18001 facilities certification.
Health and Safety issues are mentioned in the Internal Work Rules available on the intranet.
A memorandum of understanding is signed between the companies and the trade unions on security staff in the event of a strike.
- Internal Protection and Prevention Service operates under PD95/1999; aiming at monitoring employees’ occupational health, maintaining hygienic conditions, and taking protective measures to avoid accidents.
- Occupational Health and Safety Committee in each facility, consisting of elected employee representatives, in accordance with Law 1568/1985, representing all employees. Any employee of each facility (100%) may participate in the elections. The committees participate in periodic meetings with the facility management making suggestions for Health and Safety improvements in their workplace. Minutes of the meetings are published, including the progress of implementation of the agreed ones. The dates of the meetings are included in the annual report of the Internal Protection and Prevention Service to the Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Social Solidarity.
Relevant references on Health and Safety at work are found in:
- HELPE RSSOPP’s Internal Regulation (Articles 8, 19, 35)
- EKO’s Internal Regulation (Articles 9, 12, 23) and
- Group’s Code of Conduct (chapter 7.1).
Outsourced Protection & Prevention Services: Where appropriate (e.g. during periods of general maintenance), additional properly qualified external partners are mobilized, relevant indicators are monitored, and the provisions of relevant labor legislation.
Health and Safety issues are covered 100% by local agreements or regulations or official procedures, the Health and Safety Employees’ Commission, with the participation of a Safety Technician and Occupational Physician, at periodic Health & Safety meetings with colleagues at other Group’s facilities, also as part of the Internal Protection and Prevention Service activities.
There are also formal agreements in place covering issues such as the:
- Provision and use of personal protection equipment
- Participation of employee representatives in inspections
- Education and information
- Submission of complaints
- Right to refuse performing dangerous work
EKO CYPRUS
There are two safety committees in EKO CYPRUS LTD, their constitution and their role is governed by legislation. Every three years the members are elected by the staff. Members of the two security committees (one for Nicosia and one for Vassilikos) represent workers on all health and safety issues.
OKTA
At OKTA, the Health and Safety System covers issues such as: Personal protective equipment; Participation of employee representatives in health and safety inspections, audits and accident investigations; Training and development; Right to refuse unsafe work; Periodic inspections. The Union has appointed representatives for Health & Safety at work, who participate in regular meetings with the Management and provide feedback and suggestions for improving issues related to Health & Safety at OKTA. Regular training sessions are held for employees and contractors on health and safety issues by the Health, Safety and Environment organizational unit. OKTA is licensed to carry out mandatory training and workplace risk assessment, with three employees as licensed experts. In addition, there are annual KPI indicators for Safety Visits conducted by all Managers in order to promote a safety culture within the company.
DIAXON
In DIAXON, there are training programs for safety and hygiene for the employees, because this sector is extremely important to the principles of the Group (Code of Conduct, Related Health and Safety Policy, DIAXON Internal Regulations (Article 8) and, due to the standard for food safety BRC/IOP Issue 6: Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials, on the other hand, it derives from the relevant law (Law 3850, Government Gazette A (NO: 84) 2/6/2010, ARTICLE 48).
EKO BULGARIA
In accordance with local legislation, there is a Work Conditions Committee, which includes representatives of the employees and the management and provides for a dialogue between the employer and employees on health and safety issues. The company has a Health and Safety Service provider (required by law), which performs risk assessments of the work places, audits and reviews all relevant practices and documents and performs yearly health and safety trainings for all employees.