Home
Responsibility
CR Report 2005
Case studies
Managing health and safety risks at Wavre

Case Study

Managing health and safety risks at Wavre, Belgium

Wavre introduced a new approach to safety management in 2005 that has significantly reduced the number of injuries. It is one of three GSK Biologicals sites in Belgium involved in the research, development and production of vaccines.

The site has a specially-designed building where more than 100 employees work filling vials and syringes with vaccines. During 2003 there were seven lost-time injuries in the building and in the first nine weeks of 2004 there were five accidents resulting in disability, with the type of injuries sustained getting significantly worse. The EHS department responded by introducing a new safety management methodology known as 'Sobane'.

The Sobane method involves the active participation of staff in screening for potential safety risks and finding solutions. Every member of staff becomes a member of a team with an active safety role.

The method was introduced in May 2004 and has resulted in 96% of potential safety risks being solved by staff. Between May 2004 and May 2005 there were no lost-time injuries and more than 400 days passed without an accident resulting in disability.

The method has since been expanded to all GSK Biological sites in Belgium and we plan to introduce it to all GSK Biological sites around the world.