With this in mind the company re-commited itself to safety improvement by launching a ‘behaviour based safety’ programme with a bill of safety rights (which also includes duties) and a number of processes to increase health and safety awareness. Employees and the executive signed commitment posters which are prominently displayed at the sites.

Yellow and orange armbands were issued for employees to wear to show their commitment to the ideals of the bill of safety rights. Systems were developed that help team members identify unsafe behaviours and situations in such a way that resulted in a learning experience for the person involved and their colleagues and to recognise safe behaviour.

Despite greatly increased activity at all of our factories, the trend for the Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate since the launch of the initiative is showing a decline. These trends are analysed and discussed at monthly executive meetings and the statistics are distributed widely across the company.

All factories have maintained their OHSAS 18001 certifications which ensures that PPC complies with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards for Health and Safety in the work place. All sites have been audited by DEKRA, an independent European Certification body to ensure compliance with recognised standards. All sites achieved five shield status during 2007 with the exception of the Jupiter factory which earned four shields. Health and safety management committees are functional at all operations, again in accordance with, and beyond, the legal requirements. Through these committees equal representation of employees and the employer is guaranteed. Stakeholder engagement continues to take place concerning all matters relating to health and safety.