“Of the 87 workplaces that received a safety level classification this year, 33 were able to reach the goal of zero accidents. This figure is higher than ever before,” says Anna Melleri, Director of Risk Management at VR Group, who chairs the steering group for the Zero Accident Forum. The workplaces that received a safety level classification also included several industrial workplaces where the production has continued without interruptions or changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several companies in the construction industry had also been able to completely avoid accidents resulting in absences. “We have been very pleased to see the number of workplaces applying for safety level classifications grow over the past few years. Workplaces wish to receive recognition for their long-term efforts in improving occupational safety,” says Tiina-Mari Monni, Product Manager at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and Director of the Zero Accident Forum. Long-term work pays off. In 2020, the average number of accidents at Finnish workplaces amounted to 25 accidents per one million working hours. At the member workplaces of the Zero Accident Forum, the average accident frequency was 9.2, lower than the year before. The key to positive safety development is that everyone at the workplace commits to the shared goal. The workplaces that received a safety level classification reported measures such as having the management complete more safety walks, asking the employees to carry out task-specific risk assessments, providing better safety orientation for subcontractors and inviting the subcontractors to participate in safety observations. Many workplaces also offer rewards for safety activities.
Workplaces discuss their successful COVID measures
This year, many workplaces have reported their successful measures in controlling the spread of COVID-19. Quick action and COVID measures based on the risk assessment of the workplace have proved highly effective. The pandemic has also inspired new policies for promoting occupational safety. Management reviews have gone from a meeting at an auditorium a couple of times a year to a monthly video conference. Online training on occupational safety has also become increasingly popular. “We have been glad to see that workplaces have been able to continue their safety work despite the pandemic. Companies have also developed new ways of organising safety training and shared risk assessments. Many of these new practices will most likely remain a permanent part of safety work,” says Anna Melleri.
The Zero Accident Forum consists of 450 workplaces, and the criteria for the safety level classification were created in co-operation with the member workplaces. The classification depends on the accident frequency of the workplace and the severity of the accidents, among other things. Other criteria include precise investigation of occupational accidents and reporting of incidents.
Workplaces share their success stories in a webinar
On 4 May 2021 between 9 a.m. and 10.30 a.m., the Zero Accident Forum is organising an open webinar called “Näin me sen teimme – tasoluokitus 2020” (‘This is how we did it – safety level classification 2020’). Three workplaces that received a safety level classification will explain the steps of their development in the webinar. HKScan Finland Oy (level III), GRK Infra Oy (level II) and Danisco Sweeteners Oy (level I) will discuss the steps they took, the functional solutions they discovered and the results of their work. Sign up for the webinar!
These 87 workplaces received an occupational safety level classification
* = the workplaces marked with an asterisk reached the goal of zero accidents in 2020
Level I – At the world’s forefront (35 workplaces)
Ahlstrom-Munksjö Glassfibre Oy, Karhula factory*
Bosch Rexroth Oy* Caruna Oy* Danisco Sweeteners Oy* David Brown Santasalo Finland Oy DS Smith, Finland* Eaton Power Quality Oy Elenia Oy* Gasum Oy konserni* Hexion Oy* Kekkilä Oy* Kiilto Oy* Kraton Chemical Oy* MeramaTec Oy* Metso Outotec Finland Oy, Tampere Neles Finland Oy* Patria Land Oy* Prefere Resins Finland Oy* Radiometer Turku Oy Rauman Satama Oy* Roal Oy* SK Protect Oy* Solvay Chemicals Finland Oy* Steris Finn-Aqua Synthomer Finland Oy* Tapaturva Oy* Telinekataja Oy* Thales DIS Finland Oy Tmi Tiina Lius* Trinseo Suomi Oy, Hamina* Ulefos Oy* Vakka-Suomen Voima Oy* Venator P&A Finland Oy* VEO Oy Yara Suomi Oy, Siilinjärvi
Level II – Approaching the world’s forefront (32 workplaces)
Alamarin-Jet Oy* Altia Oyj ARNON Oy Cargotec Finland Oy, Multilift Cimcorp Oy Coor Service Management Oy Digita Oy Ekorosk Oy Ab* Euroports Pietarsaari Oy Ab* Evonik Silica Finland Oy Finnfeeds Finland Oy GRK Infra Oy GRK Rail Oy Municipal federation of the hospital district of Helsinki and Uusimaa Inspecta Oy ISS Palvelut Oy Kotkan Energia Oy Kuusakoski Oy Lappeenrannan Energia Oy National Land Survey of Finland Nordkalk Oy Ab Posiva Oy* Posti Palvelut Oy, early-morning delivery Promens Oy* Raumaster Paper Oy Sappi Finland I Oy Stora Enso Oyj, Metsä Teollisuuden Voima Oyj Finnish Institute of Occupational Health* Umicore Finland Oy Vapo Group Finland Vexve Oy
Level III – Heading for the world’s forefront (20 workplaces)
Elekmerk Oy
Golder Associates Oy HKScan Finland Oy HT Laser Oy Kiertokapula Oy Kongsberg Maritime Finland Oy Lassila & Tikanoja Oyj Länsimetro project Mantsinen Group Ltd Oy Meyer Turku Oy Moventas Gears Oy NRC Group Finland Oy Nurmijärven Sähkö Group Osuuskauppa Arina Ponsse Oyj Municipal federation of the hospital district of Satakunta Steveco Oy Turun Korjaustelakka Oy UPM Plywood Oy VR Group
Zero accidents Forum
- The Zero Accident Forum is a network of workplaces, the aim of which is the continuous development of occupational safety and well-being at work, and the dissemination of good practices.
- It currently consists of over 450 workplaces from all over Finland, which cover 17% of the employed workforce in Finland.
- The Forum has been in operation since 2003. The Forum’s activities are co-ordinated by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.
- Learn more: www.nollis.fi, social media: @NollaTapaturmaa
For more information, please contact
- Tiina-Mari Monni, Director of the Zero Accident Forum, Product Manager at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, tiina-mari.monni [at] ttl.fi (tiina-mari[dot]monni[at]ttl[dot]fi), tel. +358 (0)50 433 1607
- Anna Melleri, Chairperson of the steering group for the Zero Accident Forum, Director of Risk Management at VR Group, anna.melleri [at] vr.fi (anna[dot]melleri[at]vr[dot]fi), tel. +358 (0)40 862 1880
- See attached contact information of the workplaces.
