It is important to Telenor that all injuries and near accidents are registered and handled according to corporate procedures. Preventative measures following analysis of injuries and the course of events contribute to a safer work place, since they reduce the likelihood of the same injury occurring in the future.
The analyses also contribute towards making the preventative work more result-orientated and efficient. Resources can be brought into play to reduce the risk attached to the activities in which the frequency of injuries is greatest.
All employees are encouraged to file reports on near accidents, but reporting of such unwanted incidents has been, and still is, significantly inadequate. It may be difficult for people to report incidents which one feels one could have handled better or cases where one has not followed all the prescribed procedures, but Telenor is interested only in improving internal routines for ensuring personal safety in the work place.
In 2000, a total of 83 occupational injuries leading to absence were reported. The corresponding figure for 1999 was 91. Of the injuries leading to absence in 2000, almost half (36 cases) were injuries from falling. The same relationship is also seen for registered for registered injuries which did not lead to absence (35 of 83 cases). In all, injuries led to 1300 days of absence – 0.6% of the total sickness absence.
Moreover, 83 injuries were reported which did not lead to absence, as well as 45 near accidents. Despite the fact that near accidents are under-reported, there has been a very satisfactory increase in the reporting of such incidents during the year. This contributes to the reinforcement of the preventative work.
Injuries leading to absence give the following H and F values[!]:
H value = 2.7
F value = 42.1
The injury statistics for recent years are presented in the following table, which shows the actual H values[!] and the Group's goal:
Following a marked drop from 1994 to 1996, the trend for the H value has flattened out. It is still significant that injury-preventative work is focused upon continued effort in the form of training, information, control and HSE[!] audits. In the period after October 2000, Bravida has not been included in the calculations. This will affect the basis of the calculations in the future, since Bravida, being the industrial part of the business activities, has represented the majority of the injuries.
In 2000, a fatal accident occurred involving a fall from a ladder during installation work at a private house. A commission was set up at the request of Telenor's board, which reviewed the systematic HSE work in Bravida, including procedures, instructions, training, information, safety routines and inspection of safety equipment. Following the accident, Bravida has focused additional attention on safety and prepared and implemented two specific procedures for work involving safety hazards.
Communication with the Labour Inspectorate in this connection has been good.
