A safe working environment

Safety at work plays a significant role at Apetit and is one of the key themes of its personnel strategy. The goal is to reduce occupational accidents to zero and to reduce sickness absences. Key measures include increasing communication about occupational safety, in addition to more systematic safety observation practices and the further development and harmonisation of location-specific occupational health and safety committees.

In order to prevent occupational accidents, Apetit regularly updates occupational safety guidelines. In addition, we have improved our know-how in risk evaluation and incident investigation and systematically conducted risk assessments regarding production tasks. We have also given supervisors training on occupational safety management in an extensive training programme that lasted for a year and covered 20 topics. Maintenance staff has been provided with training in machine safety. In 2018, Apetit started to offer a reward for days without any incidents at each location.

Key indicators of occupational safety – the accident frequency rate and the number of safety observations, occupational accidents and sickness absences – are monitored on a monthly basis. Apetit has a slightly better level of accidents compared with the average for the food industry.

Production work involves repetitive movements that may cause musculoskeletal disorders. In addition, cold-storage facilities and humid production facilities, as well as the use of machines and knives, increase the risk of illnesses and accidents. Apetit seeks to reduce this risk primarily through job-specific instructions and appropriate personal protective equipment and by improving machine safety and ensuring appropriate work clothing for the circumstances.