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Safety programmes

We systematically assess risks to anticipate potential accidents, and put programmes in place to minimise them. We also learn from investigating the causes of accidents and make improvements accordingly. In 2004, we introduced a number of new initiatives on driver safety and process safety.

Driver safety
In 2004, there were 113 driving accidents (with lost time), which accounted for 22% of lost time injuries. Our sales representatives drive long distances every year and are therefore particularly at risk of driving accidents.

Our Global EHS standard on Occupational Travel includes requirements on driver safety. In 2004, we developed 11 technical instruction documents to help GSK businesses comply with the standard. These cover a wide range of topics including driver training, fitness to drive, vehicle selection, risk assessment, insurance, accident reporting, driver ergonomics, and driving and the environment. We monitor compliance with the standard through internal audits and self assessment questionnaires.

GSK also produced a number of tools to help commercial fleet managers improve driver safety. New driver safety programmes for sales representatives were introduced in 18 countries (Belgium, Bosnia, Brazil, Chile, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Nigeria, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka and Switzerland). More stringent requirements, such as additional training, were added to existing programmes in a number of countries (Australia, Canada, Japan, Poland and Romania and the US). In the UK, a comprehensive driver safety programme was developed in 2004 ready for roll-out to the three GSK commercial business units in January 2005. We will continue to expand driver safety programmes throughout commercial operations in the next few years.

In a few countries, we provide motorbikes or scooters for employees. In 2004, a GSK Motorbike Rider Safety Manual was produced. This was distributed in local languages to employees in countries where motorbikes are widely used, including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Pakistan and Vietnam. These countries have now also fully implemented the GSK requirement for every driver of a motorbike to wear a helmet. We will continue to follow up and monitor the implementation of the motorbike safety programme.

See more on our approach to driver safety in EHS programmes in GSK commercial.

Process safety and safety engineering
Our process safety programme ensures that safety is built into our manufacturing processes. A Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) must be completed before any new project is carried out. In 2004, we launched a new Failure Mode and Effects Criticality Analysis (FMECA) system to help engineers develop safer processes.

See more on our approach to process safety and safety engineering.

We have developed safety data sheets (SDSs) for more than 1,200 of our products. Some of these are available on our website – see safety data sheets. In 2004, we developed an email notification tool which automatically keeps employees up-to-date with changes to SDSs. We also started to make environmental testing data available on our SDSs.

In 2004, we also launched the HazClass System to help track hazardous material shipments worldwide and ensure the safe transportation of over 10,000 materials per month. See more on safe transport of materials.

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