28 Apr At Euroports safety is not a priority, it is a value!

Approaching the world’s forefront – Euroports Pietarsaari attains a high occupational safety level classification

The Vision Zero Forum awarded Euroports Pietarsaari a level II occupational safety classification – approaching the world’s forefront. All in all, 87 workplaces from various industries received a safety level classification. Awareness, observation, and responsibility among both the work community and individuals are part of everyday operations.

Awareness and safety observations help minimize risks 

In 2020, Euroports Pietarsaari had zero accidents leading to absences from work. In the same year, the average number of occupational accidents in Finnish workplaces amounted to 25 accidents per one million working hours. At the member companies of the Vision Zero Forum, the average frequency of accidents was 9.2 accidents per one million working hours, which was lower than in the previous year.

“For many years now, we have recorded safety observations in accordance with our objectives, and we make every effort to correct any safety deficiencies as quickly as possible. Last year, our goal was to record 90 safety observations, and just over 140 were recorded. This year, the goal is 120, and by last week, 47 observations had already been recorded,” says Tony Hanner, Production Manager at Euroports Pietarsaari.

Euroports Pietersaari employs 42 full-time workers as well as temporary dockworkers in Pietarsaari. Each of them participates in the company’s daily development work.

“The aim is to continuously improve safety and to minimize risks and their possible consequences. This can be achieved, for example, by changing working practices and acquiring various safety-improving equipment, and by ensuring the proper maintenance of machinery and equipment.”

Safety is everyone’s responsibility

Hanner has discussed the factors that influenced the new safety level classification with occupational safety representative Tommy Liljekvist and the foremen of Europort’s Pietarsaari unit. Collaboration, participation, and day-to-day awareness-raising have been mentioned in all discussions. 

“We have actively improved occupational safety and the wellbeing of our staff and emphasized the importance of awareness. When we discuss these matters on a daily basis, safety remains a conscious concern and becomes part of our daily operations,” says Hanner.

“We work together to develop occupational safety throughout the organization, which means that everyone from dockworkers to managers invests in it. These issues have been and will be equally emphasized in work processes, training, meetings, and coffee table discussions. We have a very low threshold for addressing safety issues.”

At Euroports, safety is the responsibility of every employee. Everyone should make sure they arrive at work healthy and return home safe and healthy.

“The new safety level classification is a clear indication that we are on the right track. Personally, I would like to thank all our staff for their contribution so far. We will continue our efforts to create a safer workplace,” says Hanner.

The Vision Zero Forum

The Vision Zero Forum is a network of workplaces coordinated by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. The forum promotes the continuous development of occupational safety and wellbeing at work and the dissemination of good practices. The forum consists of 450 workplaces. Euroports’ Pietarsaari unit was one of 33 workplaces that achieved the goal of zero accidents in 2020.

“Of the 87 workplaces that received a safety level classification this year, 33 were able to achieve the goal of zero accidents. This figure is higher than ever before,” says Anna Melleri, Risk Management Director at VR Group and Chair of the Vision Zero Forum’s steering group.

35 workplaces were awarded a level I occupational safety classification (at the world’s forefront), 32 workplaces a level II occupational safety classification (approaching the world’s forefront), and 20 workplaces a level III occupational safety classification (heading for the world’s forefront). The criteria for the safety level classification have been established in cooperation with the Vision Zero Forum’s member companies. The classification depends on the frequency and severity of occupational accidents in the workplace, among other things. Other criteria include proper investigation and reporting of occupational accidents.

“We have been very pleased to see the number of workplaces applying for a safety level classification increase over the past few years. Workplaces wish to receive recognition for their long-term efforts to improve occupational safety,” says Tiina-Mari Monni, Product Manager at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and Director of the Vision Zero Forum.