| At GlaxoSmithKline, work related ergonomic illnesses
have decreased over the last three years. Even with improvements
in reporting, there has been an encouraging decline in both the
absolute number and proportion of total illnesses that are related
to ergonomics. For example, ergonomic-related illnesses accounted
for 42% of the total in 2001, declining to 25% in 2003. Nonetheless,
ergonomics remains one of the top two causes of occupational illness
at GlaxoSmithKline. Sustained focus and improvement in ergonomic
risk control will help operations meet the global objective of a
15% annual reduction in lost time injury and illness rate.
Reducing ergonomic illness and injury was an area of focus for
2003 and will continue to be emphasised in 2004. An EHS guideline
and supporting tools have been developed, providing a preferred
approach to prevent and manage ergonomic risks. During 2003 CEHS
aligned our approach to workplace ergonomics with Operational Excellence
(OE) in recognition of the fact that improved workplace ergonomics
often translates to operational improvements and cost savings. Sites
progressed successful local initiatives and continued to roll out
these programmes during 2003. To support the education and training
initiative, a one-day training programme was conducted globally
as part of the 2003 regional meetings of the network of EHS professionals.
In 2004 GlaxoSmithKline will further raise the focus on ergonomic
improvements through Operational Excellence initiatives, business
objectives, local consultation, site audits and global training.
Other key initiatives for 2004 include a programme to collect and
share 'Good Ergonomic Practice' and deployment of Office
Ergonomics Self-Assessment web based tools in five languages. These
efforts have combined to reduce the impact of ergonomic illness
and will form the focus of our continued programmes.
We also recognise that non-occupational ergonomic and musculoskeletal
issues impact the productivity of the workforce. Among active employees,
one of the most significant causes of personal sickness absence
and contributors to total health care costs is non-workplace musculoskeletal
illnesses. In the US and UK, our two largest markets, non-occupational
musculoskeletal injury and illness are the leading causes of sickness
absence. In alignment with our workplace ergonomics programmes,
we are addressing the management of non-workplace illness and promoting
fitness in our workforce. This effort includes wellness programmes,
proactive rehabilitation, workplace adaptation and changing behaviours
and beliefs of employees and their medical providers. Tools to assist
sites with managing these issues will be produced during 2004.
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The GlaxoSmithKline site at Cork, Ireland, is a strategic manufacturing plant that produces a range of bulk active ingredients for use in the formulation of prescription drugs. Management at the Cork site identified behavioural safety as the best way to develop their site safety programme. They formed and trained a steering committee and the group developed an inventory of critical behaviours for Cork, named the programme (OWLS - Observations in the Workplace Leading to Safety) and began communicating to all employees. Formal observations resulted in action plans to change at-risk behaviours. The benefits were substantial and far reaching and the OWLS programme is ahead of legal requirements. In taking ownership, employees have demonstrated enthusiasm and initiative, developed training, observation and presentation skills, and a proactive approach to safety. Most importantly, the corner stone of the success and impact of the OWLS process is employee participation. This project tied for third place honours in the EHS Initiative category in the 2003 CEO's
EHS Excellence Awards. |
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