A central area of improvement is increasing OHS training and awareness of project managers, field-service personnel, and sub-contractors. Reinforcing governance and inspections, and improving global management tools are also high priorities, including the use of a worldwide incident tool. Among our targets are to increase the frequency and quality of incident reporting and handling, and raise knowledge and awareness of incident handling for selected job roles.
Reporting on incidents
In the event of a major incident, our first priority is to take care of the injured and then support others affected such as family and colleagues. The next priority is to report on and learn from any major incidents and near misses to help prevent reoccurrence and deliver our aim of zero incidents. Ericsson takes an inclusive and transparent approach which includes engagement with suppliers. We report on both our company’s incidents and fatalities and those of suppliers building and servicing networks on behalf of Ericsson.
Strengthening our efforts
Any workplace fatality is unacceptable. We have therefore intensified our efforts to manage traffic-related risk by adding more safety requirements to vehicles used by those working for Ericsson as well as emphasizing proper driver safety equipment and providing more training for drivers of motorcycles and cars. Particular effort is being focused on countries where we have significant operations that could present a high risk to health and safety, and where the largest number of traffic-related incidents occur.
Supplier OHS requirements
All suppliers are required to implement and follow the Ericsson Supplier OHS Requirements as a minimum. These requirements form the basis of our OHS strategy to ensure safe and efficient delivery to our stakeholders, with zero major incidents. Suppliers must read, understand and adhere to these safety requirements and operational standards and ensure that they are integrated into their ways of working.
Consequence management
To verify supplier compliance with OHS Requirements and to meet Ericsson Target Zero, Ericsson has a Consequence management process defined relevant for all site related service providers. For any OHS Breach, a Red Card or Yellow Card will be issued. Consequences will be applied according to contract and Consequence table.
Global incident reporting tool, OHS GIRT
An important component of our OHS management system is reporting and effectively managing our incidents. At Ericsson, we adopt a no-blame culture wherein employees and suppliers are encouraged to report on incidents. We believe that, in order to continue to improve the OHS culture within Ericsson, incidents should be reported in a timely fashion and acted upon swiftly by the concerned management. By encouraging these behaviors, we can effectively identify trends and be proactive about incident prevention.
For more information on OHS please download the latest Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility report.
Report incidents here
