Health and safety and union agreements (LA9)

Health and safety are strategically important matters for Vattenfall, and co-operation with the unions is an important aspect. Regulations differ in the countries where Vattenfall operates.

• Guidelines in Finland are essentially in accordance with law or collective agreements – Vattenfall makes sure that these guidelines are followed.
• In Denmark, health and safety matters are covered by the Health and Safety at Work Act (Arbejdsmiljøloven).
• In Sweden, health and safety matters are covered by the Work Environment Act (Arbetsmiljölagen). In addition to this, the energy sector is covered by a collective agreement that specifies health and safety issues in more detail. Swedenergy’s committee for Health, Environment and Safety works as an advisory board for overall policy issues and other tasks of common interest, such as education concerning work environments and occupational health services for employees in the energy sector.
• In Germany no direct agreements exist between unions and companies regarding health and safety issues. Many basic needs involving employees are regulated by law. Agreements covering health and safety issues are made by the company and the works council. This mostly happens in joint management/employee health and safety committees and health and safety committees in the works council. In this way, the works council is involved by setting policy, instructions and guidelines regarding health and safety issues. Additionally, certain formal agreements between Vattenfall and the works council are in place. Formal agreements include work-related medical checks, handling health and safety issues in electronic data processing, protection of non-smokers, personal protective equipment, health and safety for computer work and accident investigations.
• In Poland, no special agreement exists with trade unions on health and safety matters, as everything is regulated by the Labour Code and related laws. Unions are entitled to choose internal work inspectors in the company. Unions co-operate with the employer and supervise health and safety matters in the company through internal work inspectors. The employer and the union must agree on health and safety matters. Together with other companies in Poland, Vattenfall has signed an external collective agreement with the trade unions.