“Of the 87 jobs rated 87 this year, 33 were able to reach the target of zero accidents. This figure is higher than ever before,” says Anna Melleri, VR Group’s Head of Risk Management, who chairs the steering group of the Zero Accident Forum.
Safety-rated jobs also included a number of industrial jobs where production has continued without interruptions or changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several construction companies had also been able to avoid accidents resulting in absences.
– We have been very pleased to see the increase in the number of jobs applying for safety level ratings in recent years. Workplaces want to be recognized for their long-term efforts to improve occupational safety, ”he says Tiina-Mari Monni, Product Manager of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and Director of the Zero Accident Forum.
Long-term work pays off. In 2020, the average number of accidents at Finnish workplaces was 25 accidents per million working hours. At the workplaces of the members of the Zero Accidents Forum, the average accident rate was 9.2, lower than a year earlier.
The key to positive safety development is that everyone in the workplace commits to a common goal. Workplaces that received a safety level rating reported measures such as additional safety walks by managers, employees were instructed to perform task-specific risk assessments, provide subcontractors with better safety orientation, and subcontractors were invited to participate in safety observations. Many workplaces also offer rewards for safety activities.
Successful COVID measures are discussed in the workplace
This year, many workplaces have reported successful measures to combat the spread of COVID-19. Rapid action and COVID measures based on workplace risk assessment have proven to be very effective.
The pandemic has also inspired new policies to promote occupational safety. Management reviews have shifted from an auditorium meeting a couple of times a year to a monthly video conference. Online training in occupational safety has also become increasingly popular.
“We have been pleased to see that workplaces have been able to continue safety work despite the pandemic. Companies have also developed new ways to provide safety training and share risk assessments. Many of these new practices are likely to be a permanent part of safety work,” says Anna Melleri.
The Zero Accident Forum consists of 450 workplaces, and the safety rating criteria were created in collaboration with member workplaces. The classification depends, among other things, on the frequency of accidents at work and the severity of accidents. Other criteria include an accurate investigation of accidents at work and the reporting of incidents.
Level I – at the forefront of the world (35 jobs)
Ahlstrom-Munksjö Glassfibre Oy, Karhula factory *
Bosch Rexroth Oy *
Caruna Oy *
Danisco Sweeteners Oy *
David Brown Santasalo Finland Oy
DS Smith, Finland *
Eaton Power Quality Oy
Elenia Oy *
Gasum Oy Group *
Hexion Oy *
Kekkilä Oy *
Kiilto Oy *
Kraton Chemical Oy *
MeramaTec Oy *
Metso Outotec Finland Oy, Tampere
Neles Finland Oy *
Patria Land Oy *
Prefere Resins Finland Oy *
Radiometer Turku Oy
Rauman Satama Oy *
Roal Oy *
SK Protect Oy *
Solvay Chemicals Finland Oy *
Steris Finn-Aqua
Synthomer Finland Oy *
Tapaturva Oy *
Telinekataja Oy *
Thales DIS Finland Oy
Tmi Tiina Lius *
Trinseo Suomi Oy, Hamina *
Ulefos Oy *
Vakka-Suomen Voima Oy *
Venator P&A Finland Oy *
VEO Oy
Yara Suomi Oy, Siilinjärvi
Level II – a world-leading approach (32 jobs)
Alamarin-Jet Oy *
Altia Plc
ARNON Oy
Cargotec Finland Oy, Multilift
Cimcorp Oy
Coor Service Management Oy
Digita Oy
Ekorosk Oy Ab *
Euroports Pietarsaari Oy Ab *
Evonik Silica Finland Oy
Finnfeeds Finland Oy
GRK Infra Oy
GRK Rail Oy
Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District Association
Inspecta Oy
ISS Palvelut Oy
Kotkan Energia Oy
Kuusakoski Oy
Lappeenrannan Energia Oy
National Land Survey
Nordkalk Oy Ab
Posiva Oy *
Posti Palvelut Oy, early morning delivery
Promens Oy *
Raumaster Paper Oy
Sappi Finland I Oy
Stora Enso Oyj, Forest
Teollisuuden Voima Oyj
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health *
Umicore Finland Oy
Vapo Group Finland
Vexve Oy
Level III – a trend at the forefront of the world (20 jobs)
Elekmerk Oy
Golder Associates Oy
HKScan Finland Oy
HT Laser Oy
Kiertokapula Oy
Kongsberg Maritime Finland Oy
Lassila & Tikanoja plc
Western Metro project
Mantsinen Group Ltd Oy
Meyer Turku Oy
Moventas Gears Oy
NRC Group Finland Oy
Nurmijärven Sähkö Group
Cooperative Arina
Ponsse Oyj
Association of Municipalities of the Satakunta Hospital District
Steveco Oy
Turku Korjaustelakka Oy
UPM Plywood Oy
VR Group
Source: Finnish Institute of Occupational Health
Source: The Nordic Page