The company said that the aim of the week “is to galvanise employees into even greater action with the aim of preventing accidents and safeguarding everyone’s health as part of a collective effort to improve working conditions. Top of the event’s agenda is fall hazard prevention.”
Veolia noted that according to the World Health Organization (WHO), falls are the second leading cause of accidental or unintentional injury deaths worldwide.
Lost working days
At Veolia, the consequences arising from such falls account for 22% of lost working days through work-related accidents internationally. Because of this the International Health & Safety Week is directing its attention towards the risk of slips, trips and falls from height.
We are determined to move forward with our strategy of improving risk perception and promoting responsible behaviour
– Antoine Frerot, CEO Veolia Group
Last year’s campaign week focused on raising awareness of dangerous behaviour and aimed to improve the ability to spot hazardous situations. The goal behind the 2019 campaign was to encourage everyone to behave in a safer manner and pay greater attention to others.
Antoine Frérot CEO of Paris-headquartered Veolia said: “In 2021, we are determined to move forward with our strategy of improving risk perception and promoting responsible behaviour, with the aim of raising greater awareness of unconscious mistakes. That is why the 2021 International Health & Safety Week will shine the spotlight on the fall hazards that all Veolia employees may be exposed to. We need to continue being ever mindful of our own daily behaviour and also attentive to our colleagues’ behaviour if we are to constantly create healthier and safer working environments.”
Culture
Richard Hulland, Veolia UK & Ireland chief risk and assurance officer said: “Safety is at the heart of everything we do at Veolia, and fostering a proactive safety culture for our teams across our whole business is essential.
“Safety is a continual focus for all our sites and contracts. Our annual Safety Week allows us to trial new concepts, discuss the procedures we have in place, and explore new processes. Setting aside a whole week for this ensures we have ample time to have great safety conversations.
“This year, we are celebrating the company’s fantastic work after the challenges of the pandemic, with a focus on looking after others, as well as ourselves.”
Competition
Part of the week’s activities involve an internal competition at all the group’s sites to identify fall hazards based on a series of photos or videos (showing the hazard before and after risk treatment).
These photos and videos will be uploaded to Veolia’s online platform of ‘Best practices for health and safety.
After creating a shortlist of the best behaviour in each zone, the Veolia Executive Committee is to pick the three winners of the “Always Safe” health and safety awards based on the criteria: the best practice must be easy to replicate, offer good cost-effective performance and reflect the group’s expertise.
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