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Health, safety and environment
A healthy and safe working environment is a key priority across all companies in the Group. To achieve this, the Group has an active Health and Safety Forum which meets regularly.
A Group Health and Safety Officer has been appointed, who ensures on an ongoing basis, that compliance to the OHSA is achieved throughout the Group. All health and safety representatives, first aiders and fire marshals are trained and refreshed on a regular basis, while regular evacuation drills are conducted and external audits are completed. The Group is also reviewing its business continuity plan, inclusive of technology, financial and operational contingency requirements.
The three main safety risks for the Group continue to be motor vehicle accidents, general office environment accidents and fire. The Group had 10 non-reportable incidents during the year (2012: 17). Unfortunately, the Group experienced its first reportable incident this year in a fatal motor vehicle accident.
Disabling injury
frequency rate |
|
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
2011 |
|
South African
operations |
|
|
0.62 |
|
1.102 |
0.625 |
|
Work-related
fatalities |
|
|
1 |
|
0 |
0 |
|
The disabling injury frequency rate decreased by 0.48 from 2012 to 2013. This is largely attributed to greater awareness and vigilance about safe work practices amongst the staff.
The Group continues to offer the “Wellness for Life” programme, which aims at addressing specific social, emotional and physical issues which staff may present. This is offered on an individual counselling basis.
Environmental practices
The responsible use and management of natural resources form a critical part of the Group’s daily business activities. Whilst the Group’s business activities are categorised as low risk from an environmental perspective, the Group proactively implements and manages “environmentally friendly” practices and procedures. The Group actively manages its environmental impact including carbon emissions and waste management.
The table below reflects electricity usage at the Group’s head office. The kWh usage is calculated in accordance with the % of space occupied by Group companies at
75 Grayston Drive. The fuel usage represents the fleet of vehicles operated by TPC and BLD.
The fleet consists of vehicles that are utilised by technicians, customers service consultants and company drivers.
During the year under review, the Group was not issued with any reviews, prosecutions or fines in respect of the contravention of any environmental laws and regulations.
No significant changes were made to the scope, boundaries or measurement methods. The total electricity usage has been restated to only include the amounts used by the Group at head office. Other than electricity, there have been no restatements of sustainability information when compared to the 2012 integrated annual report.
Environmental
parameters |
|
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
2011 |
|
Total electricity
usage (kWh)
(head office) |
|
|
1 679 550 |
|
1 557 388 |
1 499 242 |
|
Fuel (litres) |
|
|
493 127 |
|
531 808 |
407 583 |
|
|