Health and safety
Providing a safe and healthy working environment for its employees is a primary concern for Novo Nordisk. Traditionally, the company’s health and safety practices have been based on local standards related to local legislation. But the increasing globalisation of the company, particularly in the area of product supply, requires a more global approach.
Performance in 2006
In 2006 activities included:
Stress initiatives
A healthy, well-functioning work environment is becoming a key factor in attracting and retaining highly qualified employees. Members of today’s workforce have high expectations regarding work/life balance without the risk of burnout. In recent years, up to one in six employees responding to our eVoice surveys on workplace climate has indicated at least some stress-related problems.
A stress toolbox is available on the IntraWeb for all employees. Through specific tips and guidelines, the toolbox focuses on stress detection, prevention and management.
In 2006 the employee health promotion programme NovoSund (NovoHealth) conducted a pilot study in collaboration with the Danish National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH). The aim was to investigate the nature of stress and how to deal with it proactively. A report with the final results of the study will be available in early 2007. Action plans on how to deal with the department-specific issues have been developed by the departments in question with the support of an external process consultant.
In addition to corporate initiatives, a range of local/departmental activities on dealing with stress have also been carried out. In Finance, Legal and IT, a ‘Stress and Workload Team’ was established some years back to help employees, through workshops and presentations, to get a better understanding of stress and how it can be prevented.
Going forward, the subject of work-related stress will continue to be a focus area for Novo Nordisk.
Global health and safety management
In 2006 a global Occupational Health and Safety Management System came into effect as a Novo Nordisk quality assurance document. The new document spells out the roles and responsibilities for health and safety work, including (but not limited to) safety training of personnel, efforts to identify and document risk factors, and actions to minimise these risks.
The system is mandatory for the entire Danish organisation as well as for the Novo Nordisk production facilities in France, the US, Brazil, China and Japan. Affiliate offices are not at present bound to the standards, but the system is designed to be implemented in affiliates at a later date, if this is agreed.
Internal audits will measure compliance with the system, which may also be certified according to OHSAS 18001 standards using external auditors. Product Supply has decided to aim for certification by 2008.
Novo Nordisk's approach
Elements of a healthy workplace include the physical attributes of the workplace as well as the measures taken to prevent occupational injuries. Psychological factors such as job stress, job security and employability, management practices, non-discrimination, empowerment and the opportunity to use skills also contribute to the health of the working environment.
Novo Nordisk's Health and Safety Policy states that the company will 'set high standards and continuously improve health and safety performance as a natural part of our social responsibility'. Novo Nordisk is determined to bring the work environment of the entire global organisation into compliance with the targets of this policy. Today, some discrepancies exist, due in part to local legislation and to varying degrees of compliance with International Labour Organization (ILO) standards.
Work on globalising occupational health and safety began in 2002, when for the first time Novo Nordisk collected health and safety indicators for all company sites in Denmark and all production units outside Denmark. The purpose was to establish the current status of company health and safety.
In 2003 this survey was expanded to include the entire global organisation. At the same time, specific health and safety targets were set in order to reduce the number of accidents.
The 2003 survey showed that no units had violated local regulations and that all units were working systematically to improve the work environment. However, Novo Nordisk wished to take this even further through the Health and Safety Management system implemented in 2006.
In some cases, health and safety-related practices can still be determined by local conditions. For instance, Novo Nordisk does not have global HIV/AIDS guidelines, but guidelines do exist at a local level where relevant. In the regional office in South Africa, where this issue is considerably more relevant to the company's workforce, policies and programmes are in place for employees and their families.
Focus on prevention
The Novo Nordisk Way of Management and the company policies apply throughout the organisation and serve as the framework for the management tools that drive and monitor performance. Performance data serve as a base for sharing better practices and for developing a common approach to health and safety work.
The target for the global organisation is a continuous decrease in the number of occupational injuries.
Much effort is focused on prevention and proactiveness. Preventive and corrective actions taken in connection with occupational accidents and near misses must be reported, dealt with and documented in accordance with the Health and Safety Management System.
In recording and reporting occupational injuries and illnesses, Novo Nordisk follows the ILO Code of Practice as well as local legislation. Novo Nordisk has adopted the ILO Protocol of 2002 to the Occupational Safety and Health Convention 1981.To encourage continued focus and motivate additional efforts on health and safety, a Novo Nordisk Working Environment Award is given each year to an area in the Danish part of the organisation. In the future, the intention is to make this a global award.
In Denmark, the Working Environment Council is the health and safety authority for Novo Nordisk. This council plans, manages and coordinates occupational health and safety work in accordance with agreements between management and the company's professional organisations.
In accordance with Danish law, an Occupational Health Service has been established as an advisory body on occupational health issues.
This page has been assessed by PricewaterhouseCoopers as part of its assessment of Novo Nordisk’s statement that it reports ‘in accordance’ with GRI. Please refer to Audit and assurance for a full description of the nature of assurance offered.
