Page 116 - Sigmaroc Annual-Report 2023

SIGMAROC ANNUAL REPORT 2023
Our ESG Journey
HighVizz
HighVizz continues to be continually developed and integrated into our newly acquired businesses allowing us dynamically to report and manage safety. HighVizz includes SIF identification, as well as new modules such as pre-start inspections, and enables our teams to have lean processes and systems that ensure risks are managed more effectively and efficiently.
Occupational Health
Both SASB and the UK Minerals Product Association have a focus on occupational health, especially Silicosis. As a Group we have a hierarchy of controls, based upon best health and safety guidance and an assessment of the risks within our sites and workplaces ensuring compliance with HASWA 1974, MHSWR 1999, COSHH Regulations, L140 – HSE ACOP for HAVS, PUWER 1998, HSG258 – HSE Controlling airborne contaminants at work (use of LEVs) and EH75-4 and INDG 463 Silica and control methods.
These include:
• Use of Risk assessments, safe systems of works and COSHH assessments;
• Minimising dust generated by our operations through engineering controls such as enclosing processing equipment and transfer points, water suppression, use of spray systems for dust encapsulation and local exhaust ventilation;
• Periodic personal and local monitoring by external consultants and subsequent personal assessments against recognised exposure limits;
• Health questionnaires and health surveillance of staff by Occupational Health specialists;
• Where surveys identify potential exposure above recognised exposure limits warning signage is posted and workers are required to wear appropriate respiratory protective equipment including full and half masks, and air fed breathing systems;
• Time limits set for and policy of job rotation to minimise exposure times in addition to the use of specialised PPE in areas of risk;
• Training for new employees and regular refresher training for existing employees to raise awareness of the risks to health that can arise from exposure; and
• Training in the correct use and maintenance of PPE provided to protect their health and other checks such as face fit testing for dust masks.
Governance and strategy
69% of the Company’s operations are certified to ISO18001/45001. Those that are not, leverage the safety management systems.
In addition to safety management systems, the Group operates its own internal audit function with over 172 internal audits conducted in 2023 across our operations. The audits focus on both systems and sites, with interactive
STRATEGIC REPORT
and constructive feedback and actions generated. The audit also monitors the close out of these actions.
Responsibility
The Board has overall responsibility for Health and Safety with the implementation of the strategy and performance managed by the Group Health & Safety committee that has both Executive Directors, Non-Executive Directors and Executive Committee members as part of the committee. The delivery of the strategy and driving of performance is then the directive of the Group Health & Safety Director.
Once the Health & Safety strategy is set by the Board and Group HS Committee, the Executive Committee and Health & Safety Director implement the strategy and drive the performance. Each month the performance is reviewed by the executive management committee in a dedicated meeting and is cascaded wider to ensure that all employees are engaged. Health and safety form a key part of every Board and Executive meeting.
HS Policy
The Company operates a Group wide Health & Safety Policy that is cascaded and implemented in every business. The Policy applies to any person operating on our sites, including employees, contractors and visitors.
The policy is approved by the Board and cascaded throughout the business with a formal acknowledgement and training program to be rolled out in 2024 to all employees and contractors as required. These will be monitored and audited quarterly by the Board with a target of 100% compliance for employees in terms of acknowledgement and training.
H&S Targets and Performance
The group is committed to the continuous improvement of health and safety and wellbeing for any person who is on our site, be it an employee, contractor or visitor.
Health and Safety Frequency rate improvements
2% 26% 17% 6%
-9% 28% 6% 17%
27% -29% 19% 31%
47% -31% 8% 25%
0000
Since the start of all reporting, both employees and contractors have been included in all the statistics. In 2023 contractor and employee statistics were separated to allow greater understanding of where focus should be between contractor and employee.
2020
2021
2022
2023
TIFR (contractor and Employees)
HIFR contractor and Employees)
SHIFR contractor and Employees)
LTIFR contractor and Employees)
Fatalities