Health and safety committees (LA6)

Health and safety committees are organised at the operational level. The committees deal with local problems and provide management with suggestions for improvements. Vattenfall’s employees are well informed about initiatives and programmes that contribute to safe working conditions.

The My Opinion survey, which is conducted every year among all Vattenfall employees, includes health- and safety-related questions. The category Health Index measures employees’ mental and physical condition. Vattenfall scored 76% on the Health Index in 2008 (i.e., 76% of employees evaluate the category positively). In the Safety category, questions are asked about the safety level of the company. The Safety category score was 76% in 2008. It is the responsibility of every unit to evaluate My Opinion results and take necessary action. More than 75% of the total workforce is represented in formal joint-management/worker health and safety committees.

Sweden

In Sweden, all companies with more than 50 employees have their own safety committees with representatives from the company, the unions and one safety representative. Some of the major companies have more than one safety committee. The safety committee at the company level is normally chaired by the president, and in some companies by the head of human resources. Every workplace with five or more employees has at least one safety representative. Policy issues and follow-up are conducted by a joint Swedish Work Environment Council.

Finland

In Finland, safety officers are appointed at every workplace with ten or more employees. The safety officers represent the employees and work in co-operation with the employer on health and safety issues at the workplace. The 1973 Health and Safety Supervision Act requires employers to appoint a safety officer to take responsibility for health and safety activities. Workplaces with 20 or more employees have safety committees consisting of employer and employee representatives, which serves as a forum for co-operation on health and safety.

Denmark

In Denmark, workplaces with ten or more employees are required to have a safety group. Workplaces with 20 or more employees have safety committees consisting of employer and employee representatives, which serve as a forum for co-operation on health and safety. In addition, employers are required to appoint a safety manager in charge of daily health and safety activities.

Germany

German legislation requires that companies with more than 20 employees have a safety committee. Some of the major companies also have central health and safety committees with representatives from management, employees, company doctors and experts. At Vattenfall in Germany, health and safety committees are established at the Business Group level in addition to local and business unit levels. The Business Group level includes a committee in which members of management and employee representatives set fundamental principles for occupational health and safety. The health and safety committees at the business unit level deal with matters that are relevant for the operations of the respective business units.

Poland

Polish labour law requires all companies with more than 250 employees to have their own safety committee in an advisory role. There are equal numbers of employer representatives including a health and safety responsible, and employees’ representatives including social work inspectors. The chairman is a person appointed by the employer and the vice chairman is the social work inspector. The safety committee reviews workplace safety and hygiene, gives opinions about safety measures taken by the employer, devises corrective measures for safety conditions and co-operates with the employer to meet safety requirements. Some of the major companies, or companies with multiple locations, have more than one safety committee. The safety committees’ activities involve all employees. In addition to the safety committees, employers with more than 100 employees must have a special health and safety function for controlling and advising purposes, while employers with fewer than 100 employees must employ an external person.