safety & health
ExxonMobil in Norway is working to create an environment where people care about and help each other to achieve a common goal where “Nobody Gets Hurt”, where “Everybody Stays Healthy” and where we “Protect Tomorrow, Today”. We have established a basic principle in our activities – all injuries and incidents are preventable, and the effect on the external environment must be minimized.
In 2009 we had no serious incidents which resulted in lost time. We had, however, a few incidents which called for medical treatment and adaptation of work. We continue our goal-oriented efforts at reducing the number of incidents and injuries.
ExxonMobil works systematically with reducing the probability of high potential incidents. During 2009, we implemented a system for report and analysis of Process/Safety incidents. By reporting minor leaks, activation of safety barriers, status of safety systems, and monitoring these indicators, we work systematically with reducing the risk of major incidents.
Our Loss Prevention System (LPS) has been operational in our upstream activities since March 2007. The system is an important tool in the development of our safety culture. An important part of LPS is hazard identification and incident reporting. This gives a good basis for working proactively eliminating hazards, as well as changing behavior and ways of working. The focus areas for the safety work in 2009 have been mapping of hazards in connection with routine activities, which continue to result in incidents and injuries. Furthermore, efforts were made to improve the quality of observation of work operations, as well as increase focus on work planning and identification of hazardous situations prior to start-up of work activities.
ExxonMobil has also established programs for continuous reduction of health exposures, including exposure to chemicals, noise, ergonomics and psycho-social impacts. In 2003, an extensive co-operation program started among employees at Slagen, the medical doctor, and psychologists in order to map and understand the psychological causes of incidents and dangerous actions. This program, which has been named “A Safe Hand”, was further developed in 2005 to comprise management training, and it was implemented within the Refining and Logistics function. Today “A Safe Hand” is an important and integrated part of our yearly training and dialogue both with our own employees and contractors.
ExxonMobil employees in Norway have over many years achieved a low level of sick leave. In 2009, sickness absence was 3.6 percent, which is bit lower than the previous year.
