Sustainability Report 2012 - Transnet

Safety firstTransnet is committed to providing a safe and healthy workingenvironment for all our stakeholders. Safety is a key part of ourSHEQ (Safety, Health, Environment and Quality) managementsystem. Performance is measured against industry recognisedindicators such as the disabling injury frequency rate, lossincidents, fatalities and derailments.There has been a decrease in the DIFR over the past year from0,82 to the level of 0,65 at year-end. This is below the target of0,80 and the performance reflects an improvement of 20,7%compared with the prior 12 month period. The DIFR rate hasdropped by more than 40% over the past six years. This isexceptional progress by international standards but is not yetgood enough.There has been a notable reduction in the number and severityof loss incidents over the past year, dropping from 1 652 in2010/11 to 1 060 by 31 March 2012. The estimated cost ofthese incidents year-to-date is R432 million compared toR1,1 million for the previous year.There were seven employee fatalities in 2011/12 compared to12 in the prior year. Employee fatalities have dropped by morethan 70% over the past six years. Four of the seven deathsresulted from motor vehicle accidents and three occurred due tonon-adherence to Standing Operating Procedures. Whilst thereis a significant decline in fatalities, one fatality is one too manyand Transnet continuously strives for zero fatalities.There were 100 public fatalities reported for 2011/12 comparedto 151 in the prior year. The majority of these were rail-related.Trespassing into Transnet’s operational areas remains thebiggest contributor to these incidents.Running line derailments have declined from 125 in 2010/11 to87 in 2011/12. Shunting derailments declined year-on-year from363 to 294. However, shunting derailments at private sidingsincreased from 210 to 219 in the same period.Transnet is now in the third year of its intensive Safety CultureProgramme through Safety Leagues and competitions.The safety leaguesUsing the competitive framework of a soccer league, SafetyLeagues aim to embed safety management practices andbehaviour. Teams compete for prize money, which is usedtowards morale-boosting facilities such as canteens and braais.Performance is measured on unplanned absenteeism, personalprotective equipment usage and breathalyser statistics. Thereare currently three Safety Leagues involving more than 9 000employees in 13 business units and four Operating divisions.DIFR 0,6520,7%IMPROVEMENTIN 2011/12FATALITIES2010/11 2011/1212 EMPLOYEES 7151 PUBLIC 100“Our foremost priority is reducing health andsafety risks in the workplace for all our staffand contractors. In 2011/12 we achieved thebest safety record in many years with asignificant decrease in the disabling injuryfrequency rate and the number of employeefatalities. Our Operating divisions achievedvarious National Occupational SafetyAssociation five-star ratings for excellentsafety performance. This can be attributedto the ‘Safety Mindset’ that is evident at alllevels of the business. We neverthelessacknowledge that we have more work to doas we strive towards totally eliminatinginjuries from the workplace. We alsoacknowledge that an injury-free workplace isnot an end in itself; it is a standard that mustbe maintained through constant vigilance,evaluation and communication. We willmaintain our ‘no excuses’ approach tosafety, and continue to support each otherin doing so.”Virginia DunjwaChief Risk OfficerSustainability performance: Social dividendsSustainability Report 201251