With more than 75 per cent of its workforce in operational roles, Veolia Water is committed to the health and safety of all employees and contractors. Safety is one of our key values and is an integral part of our employee recognition program in addition to our annual internal safety awards.
To support the goal of zero harm, Veolia Water embarked on a renewed safety program to reinvigorate safety performance and make this a significant point of difference as to how we do business with our alliance partners and clients. Known as "work safe, home safe, be safe" the program involves a number of safety initiatives, and emphasises the importance of safety in all aspects of life, not just in the work place.
One of these initiatives is the "Work Safe to Give" program, which started in 2011, enabling each team to raise a possible $5,000 donation each year for the charity of their choice if agreed safety targets are met. Since its inception, the teams are improving on safety performance leading to company donations of $66,000 to more than 12 charities or not for profit organisations around the country. To achieve the donation, teams must meet measurable safety performance criteria with the overarching goal of achieving zero harm.
All water and wastewater treatment and distribution facilities operated by Veolia Water in Australia and New Zealand are certified to meet the Australian Standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management AS 4801 and ISO 1800.
The International Labour Organisation also recently recognised Veolia Water's ongoing efforts to create a safe and healthy work environment by inviting the company to sign the Seoul Declaration - an international declaration that recognises health and safety at work as a basic human right.
Veolia Water was the only water services company worldwide to be invited and this signals Veolia Water's compliance with international guidelines to prevent work-related accidents and diseases.
