Occupational health and safety

Work environment performance of the Company is in compliance with the requirements of national legislation and international occupational health and safety management system standard OHSAS 18001.

Work environment management system is based on the assessment of risks in the work environment area and execution of activities aimed at preventing or reducing dangerous situations. Workplaces are under constant internal monitoring and internal as well as external audits of the management system are carried out.

In 2014, 2 occupational accidents occurred, one of which had more serious consequences. An employee suffered from a thorax contusion after a fall at Paljassaare Wastewater Treatment Plant. Another a more serious occupational accident occurred in our subsidiary OÜ Watercom, where an employee’s foot was left under falling soil and resulted in a fracture of ankle joint. The causes of all occupational accidents were thoroughly analysed by the Work Environment Council and improvement actions were taken to prevent similar accidents from occurring again.

The Company is more and more focusing on the staff awareness. “Terve Tilgu” traffic sign is used to keep the information on avoiding the occupational accidents in the employees’ mind. We publish various articles on occupational safety in each edition of the internal newspaper. A so-called occupational health and safety corner was set up in the rest room at the main office, where people can find necessary information and pick up the¬matic leaflets and brochures etc.

Work environment policy

We aim to be recognized as a water company delivering strong safety performance and providing safe environment for customers and colleagues, by enabling a positive safety culture.

Safety is an inseparable part of our business. It is central to everything we do, and we absolutely do not compromise on it:

  • We provide adequate control of the health and safety risks arising from our work activities.
  • We consult with our employees on matters affecting their health and safety.
  • We are committed to providing safe and healthy working conditions.
  • We provide information, instruction and supervision for employees in order to ensure they use safe working practices.
  • We are dedicated to ensuring all employees are competent to do their tasks, and provide them with adequate training.
  • We ensure a crisis and emergency management system is in place to minimize the impact of such incidents.
  • We proactively put into place processes and practices to prevent work accidents and illnesses.
  • We provide our employees with benefits which support their wellbeing and encourage them to pursue a healthy lifestyle.
  • We implement health and safety management system to ensure our employees work in safe and healthy work environment. It is in full compliance with legal requirements.
  • We are dedicated to continuous improvement of company’s performance in health and safety.

Work environment trainings

The implementation and results of work environment related actions are largely dependent on the awareness of employees. There¬fore, much attention is paid to work environment training, information materials and other actions as well as channels to raise awareness of the issues related to work environment. In 2014, the following training events were carried out in the field of occupational safety:

  • First-aid training and in-service training;
  • Training and in-service training of Work Environment Council members and work environment representatives;
  • Trainings for a person organizing works on a construction site;
  • Trainings on machinery safety;
  • Practical training on excavation works on sample sites;
  • Several follow-up fire-, electrical- and chemicals’ safety trainings;
  • Trainings on occupational hygiene;
  • Chlorine safety training at the Water Treatment Plant focusing on the use of personal protection equipment and first aid in the event of a chlorine emergency;
  • Trainings on evacuation;
  • In cooperation with 3M Eesti OÜ trainings on hearing protection equipment;
  • Training “Work Tool” organized for work environment specialists by the Labour Inspectorate;
  • Conference on Ergonomics;
  • Various seminars organized by the Network of Health Promoting Workplaces.

Continuous improvement in occupational safety

Similar to the previous years we are committed to the continuous improvement of work environment. Several supporting actions were carried out in 2014 at the treatment plants, water and sewerage networks, laboratories and offices:

  • We renewed the Company´s work environment risk analysis;
  • All Management Team members and the main and substitute members of the Work Environment Council regularly carry out safety audits
    Example of the new safety installation Example of the new safety installation
    across the Company and we actively eliminate the deficiencies;
  • We hired an Occupational Safety Specialist with the most important task of inspecting the safety compliance on repair and construction sites and other workplaces;
  • New rules for using the personal protective equipment in the Company were established making high visibility clothes, helmet and protective footwear mandatory on all repair- and construction sites as well as high visibility clothes, protective footwear and gloves (because of wastewater) on the territories of Water Treatment Plant and Wastewater Treatment Plant;
  • New safety instruction for lone working was established, under which the situation of the employees working alone most of the time is regularly checked.
  • The system of instructing employees was improved and the rule to prepare a safety plan before non-routine hazardous works was established;
  • New breastworks and handrails were installed to avoid falling, ladders were replaced, safety signs updated, new personal protective equipment were purchased;
  • We reconstructed several pumping stations, work rooms, replaced doors, windows and floor covers, repaired staircases, restrooms, and walking as well as driving tracks on permanent sites;
  • We performed regular observations, inspections and maintenance of fire safety installations (e.g. fire extinguishers, fire doors, hose systems) in buildings and vehicles; also, weekly check-ups of the sensors and alarms of the automatic fire fighting system were performed;
  • In line with the Fire Safety Act we prepared the self-checking and fire safety reports on the structures and submitted those to the Rescue Board.
  • We performed maintenance and check-ups on alarm systems, electrical installations, alarm lights, elevators and lifting equipment, up and over doors, ladders, gas meters;
  • Consistent measurements of lights and indoor climate were carried out in the departments.
  • We improved ventilation and air conditioning systems in the labs and offices;
  • During the period of 2013-2015 we replace all office chairs to ensure an ergonomically correct and convenient seating position for the staff.

Promoting occupational health

For the tenth year, we participated in the work of the Network of Health Promoting Workplaces.

“Bank of Good Ideas“ box “Bank of Good Ideas“ box

We promote healthy life style among its staff by organizing various sports activities for its employees. Staff participated in Stamina series of healthy jogging and walking events and in the run around Lake Ülemiste. Employees have the opportunity to use two gyms, as well as squash and ball courts, and also participate in a yoga class once a week. In cooperation with Meriton Sports club, Kalev Spa and Sparta sports club our staff can use the spas and sports club with special price. A joint Donor Day was organized together with the Blood Donation Centre. Within the Heart Week organized across Estonia we organized various activities: tour to Esko Farm producing various dairy products; each employee received a fruit; those who wanted had an opportunity to measure blood pressure and weigh oneself; the usual yoga classes with specific exercises for heart; the staff had an opportunity to visit Kalev Spa and group classes with special rates; especially heart-healthy meals were available at the canteens in the Company; a photo competition promoting a healthy heart took place also a competition of healthy food recipes.

In line with legal requirements, our employees attend regular health checks, which provide the basis for adjustment of working conditions where necessary. In addition to the procedures foreseen by legislation, we provide influenza vaccinations to all interested employees and prophylactic massage according to the prescription of the occupational health doctor.