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IMPACT ON SOCIETY AND EMPLOYEES (S)Highest safety standards

The approach to managing employee health and safety at PSE

Employee health and safety is a very important area of management in our organisation.

The occupational health and safety management system was implemented based on the recognised standard PN-ISO 45001:2018-06 'Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use'.

The management of health and safety of PSE employees is based on the integrated environmental and occupational health and safety management system implemented in the company. All employees are covered by the system and its objectives are pursued by all organisational units. In addition, the requirements imposed by the system must be met by contractors working with PSE, who are obliged to comply with the organisation's policy. The Office of Work Environment Management is a dedicated unit responsible for OH&S management as well as for meeting the requirements of the system.

Objectives of the Office of Work Environment Management:

  • Ensuring compliance with legal requirements and following available practice regarding HSEQ (work environment with reference to employees, environmental protection, equipment and infrastructure maintenance) at PSE CG, and regarding company operations, network asset maintenance, and investment process implementation.
  • Exercising supervision and control over work conditions and environment, as well as over the observance of OH&S and environmental protection regulations and rules for PSE CG's assets, in accordance with applicable provisions of law, also during the investment process.
  • Minimising the probability of incidents in the work environment by implementing incident prevention solutions at PSE CG.
  • Minimising the probability of incidents in the work environment by implementing incident prevention solutions at PSE CG.

 

Tasks of the Office of Work Environment Management:

  • Building a system and culture of safety and quality regarding the functioning of PSE CG, including the maintenance of network assets and the implementation of the investment process.
  • Performing the duties of the OH&S services.
  • Organising and maintaining a system related to the supervision of the HSEQ work environment.
  • Organising and maintaining a fire protection system for PSE S.A. facilities and developing PSE CG's standards.
  • Identifying and analysing risks at PSE S.A., as well as carrying out occupational risk assessment for work positions.
  • Collaborating with the company's employee representatives in OH&S consultations.
  • Ensuring compliance with environmental protection requirements at PSE S.A. facilities and developing standards at PSE CG.
  • Supporting the investment process with regard to the preparation of tender documentation for investment projects and the execution of HSEQ tender procedures.
  • HSEQ supervision of the work of contractors and subcontractors on investment projects.

The unit responsible for occupational health and safety management at PSE is the Office of Work Environment Management (BH). BH performs the duties of the occupational health and safety service, and has a leading role in identifying risks and developing standards regarding occupational health and safety. It also engages other units in activities related to this area. All OHS activities undertaken at PSE are included in the occupational health and safety management system, implemented and certified with reference to the requirements of PN-ISO 45001. A recertification audit of the integrated environmental and health and safety management system was conducted in June 2021, which the organisation successfully passed.

Communication with the employees is carried out, among others, by sharing documents – instructions, guidelines, orders – and current information on the intranet, through direct mailing to employees and publications in the corporate newspaper. BH analyzes the actual incidents and shares the knowledge about the identified causes of the incidents with the relevant persons in the organisation. The company also provides a wide range of training courses in OH&S, fire protection and first aid – those required by law and those resulting from additional company needs.

The identification and assessment of work-related risks is conducted based on the Manual for Hazard Identification and Occupational Risk Assessment at PSE. New risks are also identified following accidents at work. The quality of this process is guaranteed by the Occupational Risk Assessment Team (ORAT), which is composed of occupational health and safety experts, the company's Social Labour Inspector, a representative of the Human Resources Department, representatives of the staff and relevant organisational units and, where appropriate, the physician in charge of medical care and industry experts from outside the workplace.

Information on the results of the occupational risk assessment is communicated to employees individually (by reading the occupational risk assessment card), during the initial OH&S training, on-the-job training and periodic OH&S training, as well as other workshops relating to OH&S and fire protection. The effect of occupational risk assessment are actions taken to reduce the risk, taking into account the hierarchy of hazard controls (e.g. elimination, substitution, engineering safety measures, organisational and administrative measures, personal protective equipment).

PSE has an HSEQ observation reporting system in place, as well as a HSEQ reporting platform on the Intranet. The employee has the option to report anonymously (no blame policy). Information about a risk can also be reported by calling the HSEQ contact number operated by a BH employee.

According to the provisions of the Labor Code and the Instruction for reporting incidents and hazards in the work environment, an employee has the right to refrain from work if the working conditions do not comply with the provisions of occupational health and safety. The aforesaid issues are always subject to initial and periodic OH&S training. PSE has a stop work policy, which is implemented each time in the safe work organisation manuals.

Accidents at work are investigated in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation on determining the circumstances and causes of accidents at work. Each time the employer appoints an accident investigation team consisting of an employee of the occupational health and safety service and a social labor inspector. In addition to accident investigation, PSE conducts a root cause analysis (RCA) after an incident to identify and assess the risks associated with an accident. Accident analysis is performed using PSE's HSEQ hazard and risk matrix. After the analysis of the incident, corrective recommendations are made, taking into account the hierarchy of controls indicated in the accident investigation report. Following the conclusion of accident investigation, orders are issued by the President to implement the recommendations identified in the protocol.

Workplace safety promotional activities

HSEQ platform

One of the objectives arising from the Company Strategy and the tasks of the Office of Work Environment Management (BH) is to build a safety system and culture for the work environment – both in the area of PSE's core business and in the investment process. In practice, this means the establishment of the Health Safety Environment Quality (HSEQ) standard in relation to employee safety, environmental protection, and safety of equipment and infrastructure in the work environment. The HSEQ platform allows employees to report anonymously on one of the selected categories:

  • POS – positive observation,
  • UC – a near miss – unsafe working conditions,
  • UA – a near miss – unsafe acts,
  • NM – an actual incident without damage,
  • AC – an actual incident involving damage (accident).


Based on the data obtained, the TPR (Total Prevention Rate) is calculated:

TPR – work safety between 2018 and 2021

The increase in the value of the prevention rate demonstrates a continued increase in the involvement of all employees in monitoring the work environment. Each report is analysed by BH staff and a response is sent back to the reporting person regarding the implementation of the case. In 2021, a total of 2,121 applications were received on the HSEQ platform..

Given these statistics, it is important to note that incidents are reported on an ongoing basis by employees, which demonstrates their commitment to building a safety culture at work. As a result, the prevention rate is increasing year on year.

Key figures

employees took part in a series of practical fire training courses for those designated to carry out evacuation and fire fighting.

communications from the Office of Work Environment Management on OH&S and environmental protection were published on the Intranet.

webinars as part of the 'Be Healthy' series on health topics (vaccinations, complications after COVID-19, addictions, diet, sleep, rest) and ergonomics were organised for PSE employees.

In accordance with the applicable regulations, our organisation has an Occupational Health and Safety Committee in place. Meetings between the employer representatives and the community representation are held on a quarterly basis. In addition, the company’s occupational medicine physician attends the meetings to analyze and advise on problems in the area of occupational medicine and health care. Meetings of the Occupational Health and Safety Committee are documented in the form of minutes.

The Occupational Health and Safety Committee meetings are an occasion to discuss occupational health and safety issues related to, but not limited to the following:

  • periodic reviews of the working conditions,
  • proposals to improve the working conditions,
  • analysis of potential hazards reported by employees,
  • analysis of the conclusions and recommendations from cross-checks performed by the social labor inspectors and the OHS service, as well as the decisions made by the accident investigation teams,
  • review and evaluation of specifications for the purchase of PPE, etc.

PSE has elected social labor inspectors divided into regional SLIs and the company’s SLI. The role of the SLI is described in the Act on the social labor inspection.

Employees can report their observations, problems, or risks in several ways, i.e. by::

  • e-mail to HSEQ@pse.pl,
  • using the HSEQ reporting platform,
  • contacting the BH staff directly,
  • contacting the Social Labor Inspector directly.

When drawing up instructions related to occupational health and safety, contract reviewers whose work is related to the subject of the document are always appointed.

OHS communication is effected, among others, through intranet publications, mailing to staff at every level of the organisation, training, webinars and the company's magazine entitled “Transmission”.

General training in our organisation includes the following:

  • initial occupational health and safety training provided on the employment date in the form of an induction training,
  • periodic training in occupational health and safety, conducted for:

     - administration and office employees: first within 1 year as of the employment date, next every 5 years;

     - engineering and technical employees: first within 1 year as of the employment date, next every 5 years;

     - engineering and technical employees working in particularly hazardous conditions: every year;

     - employees on managerial positions: first within 6 months as of the employment date, next every 5 years;

     - blue-collar workers: once a year.

Form of training: self-directed learning, except for training for blue-collar workers (induction training).

Our company offers employees subscription health packages from one of the leading providers of such services. Employees have the option to choose the scope of services. Occupational medicine is fully funded by the employer and other services for the employee are partially funded. In June 2021, the prevention programme was modified by extending it to include the possibility to apply for a rehabilitation stay after a COVID-19 infection.

In addition, the organisation's 'You Can Count on us' programme offers free consultations with psychologists, financial advisers and lawyers. They are available to PSE employees and immediate family members, including children up to the age of 25, where they have the legal status of pupils or students.

Another form of support is the free 'Be Healthy' webinar series addressed to all PSE employees.

Our organisation conducts planned and ad-hoc inspections of the work environment to identify hazards and risks, and to minimise the occurrence of hazards. Technical condition assessments are conducted. The organisation provides measurements of work environment factors, such as, for example, noise, electromagnetic field and fire hazards. The results of the measurements are analysed and actions are taken to ensure that the negative effects on the health and lives of employees are minimised.

Risks and hazards are managed by controlling the hierarchy of hazards, starting with elimination. In the area of electric power facilities, particularly hazardous work is carried out by licensed and authorized persons as part of the process of safe organisation in working with power equipment and systems, while ensuring multi-level verification and assurance of the activities carried out. In addition, employees have access to the 'Be Healthy' webinar series on ergonomics and occupational health.

Accident rates
PSE’s rate of severity of accidents at work

The accident frequency rate shows a decreasing trend.

Rate of severity of accidents at work at PSE

The accident severity rate shows a decreasing trend.

Total recordable incident rate (TRIR)

[FAT] Fatality: a single fatality; a fatal accident or death due to a work-related injury or illness.

[LTI] Lost Time Injury: a major injury, illness; work-related injury or illness which prevents the employee from taking up any work the day after the incident.

[RWC] Restricted Work Case: qualified medical assistance required; the employee cannot perform his/her work the next day, but is able to take another job or work in his/her position part-time or without performing all of the duties.

[MTC] Medical Treatment Case: a minor injury, illness.

HSEQ in numbers

Number of cases of unsafe conditions (UC) and of unsafe acts (UA) recorded; number of HSEQ checks

Figures recorded from January to December 2021:

  • 2,413 HSEQ observations (1,995 for projects and 418 for operation);
  • 1,958 cases of unsafe working conditions – UC: 1,735 for projects and 223 for operation;
  • 213 cases of unsafe acts – UA: 196 for projects and 17 for operation;
  • 242 positive observations: 64 for projects and 178 for operation.

At the same time, 552 HSEQ checks were carried out for ongoing investment and operational tasks.

OH&S and fire inspections

In 2021, OH&S and fire protection inspections were carried out on the basis of an inspection plan approved by the President of the Management Board. These inspections were carried out using checklists, following the regime applicable during the COVID-19 epidemic.

HSEQ requirements for contractors carrying out investment tasks for PSE

Work continued in 2021 to improve the effectiveness of HSEQ oversight of contractors, i.e. OH&S, fire and environmental protection. Standard contractual clauses developed, which include HSEQ requirements, are part of contractual provisions. These clauses were developed in three variants, depending on the subject matter and the level of detail of the requirements imposed on contractors. The diversity of clause variants makes it possible to tailor contractual provisions appropriately to the risks encountered during the performance of a particular agreement.

HSEQ clauses are used in all investment agreements entered into by PSE, as well as for maintenance and operation works (it is possible thanks to their universal nature). Their use results from the standards, strategies and policies implemented in the company, but also from a broadly understood responsibility for the safety of people and the natural environment. We aim to collectively raise awareness of the importance of safety and to engage in solidarity in issues related to the safety of employees, equipment and infrastructure in the work environment, and to environmental protection.

For several years, PSE has been applying a tariff of contractual penalties to identified breaches by contractors of specific OH&S, fire protection, and environmental protection regulations and rules. The tariff of penalties is part of agreements concluded with contractors carrying out investment and operational tasks.

The Employer's staff – in accordance with the adopted HSEQ check schedule – verifies the contractors' compliance with OH&S, fire and environmental protection regulations during the execution of investment and operational tasks.

PSE Life Saving Rules

The development and dissemination of Life Saving Rules (LSRs) among employees and associates is an element of building a safety culture at PSE.

This is a set of rules of conduct that address the biggest hazards associated with the company's operations. The documents indicate the responsibilities of persons performing the work and their supervisors, as well as prohibited actions. The LSRs are published in the form of posters and flyers. The rules are formulated as slogans calling for specific actions, namely:

  1. Keep a safe distance! – due to the risk to health and life posed by electric shock and arc flash burns, for work on live equipment and near voltage sources;
  2. Follow the work order instructions and use checklists! – for work on network assets carried out under particularly hazardous conditions, based on a written order;
  3. Observe safe organisation of work on power equipment and systems!
  4. When working at heights, protect yourself and your tools from falling!
  5. Wear work clothing, safety footwear and personal protective equipment whenever required!
  6. Drive safely!
  7. React to and report dangerous situations!

PSE's priorities for HR development

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