Zero Harm: Safety & Health

Safety and health are a key priority for us. We aim for zero harm and firmly believe accidents and injuries are preventable. We have implemented various measures to inculcate an enhanced safety culture at work to improve our safety performance. Towards this end, we have in place clear SOPs and instructions. We provide safety training and appropriate supervision to ensure workers work safely and responsibly.

To enhance ownership and accountability in implementing Safety and Health policies and procedures in operations, we have introduced Key Performance Indicators at various functions and levels. Continuous training programmes for managers, Safety and Health Management Representatives and Safety Committee members are organised to empower operating units to self-assess adequacy of controls in key operational risk areas.

SD Guthrie continuously strengthens the safety performance of our operations. The key to delivering this commitment is by equipping our people with the necessary training and tools in occupational safety and health.

All our operations ensure on-the-job and competency training that are aligned to their respective job scopes. This includes:

• Tractor Driver On-Job Training (TD-OJT) Programme - our comprehensive training modules and standard assessment method ensure that all our new and untrained tractor drivers have the necessary competencies and skills to operate the machines safely.
• Harvesting Competency Training Programme (HCTP) - a compulsory training for all new workers who conduct harvesting work to ensure they are safe and skilled to execute their day-to-day jobs.
• Switch-on Safety Leadership Workshops - Series of workshops facilitated by external consultants to empower all our managers to become safety leaders and instil a culture of safety first for all our employees in PNG and Solomon Islands.
• Safety Leadership & Safety Champion – a series of workshop and coaching sessions conducted by external consultants to improve the Company's safety culture using the Hearts-And-Minds® methodology.
• Life Saving Rules (LSR) -  a training series with proven live-saving methods. Training includes various topics such as Permit-To-Work, Working at Height, Confined Space, and Lock-Out-Tag-Out.
• Safety Townhall – a series of town hall meetings to provide two-way communication with all employees, socialising new requirements, increasing safety awareness level and explaining the latest developments in the Company.
• Dangerous Decibels® Programmes - a hearing conservation training programme conducted annually by certified internal trainers using internationally recognised and proven modules tailored to our industry.
• Forklift competency programme – an annual safe driving training specific for forklift drivers to refresh and hone their competency.
• HSE Conference – a multi-day biennial conference for all HSE personnel to increase their skills and knowledge on the Company's issues.

There are ergonomic risk factors associated with work in estates. To minimise the risk of injuries and ill health to our workers, we adopted the following control measures in our operations

• Women are not encouraged to do heavy-duty work.
• Introduction of mechanisation for spraying activities such as the application of auto spreader and turbo mixer and sprayer drones to reduce risks of ergonomics during spraying.
• Introduction of Ergonomic Risk Assessment (ERA) methods based on the Guidelines of Ergonomics Risk Assessment at Workplace (2017) to identify, assess, and control ergonomic risk factors associated with the work tasks and activities at the workplace.
• Workers are encouraged to take intermittent breaks from their tasks and to stretch.

At our operations, medical surveillance is conducted in accordance with national safety and health regulations. This is especially important for workers who are exposed to pesticides.
Generally, an appointed occupational health doctor conducts medical surveillance once a year. Health surveillance is also conducted monthly by a medical assistant, clinic doctor or visiting medical officer.

All our workers are supplied with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supplied by the company at no cost to the workers. All workers are trained to properly use these PPEs, and other operational equipment. We have made it a requirement for them to use PPEs, which are periodically replaced. Our PPEs are chosen carefully to ensure that our workers are protected against the risk of accidents or adverse effects on health. They include safety helmets, gloves, eye protection, reflective vests, safety boots, safety harnesses and respiratory protective equipment (RPE).

Over the past decade, we have consciously reduced the amount of pesticides and fertilisers used in our operations, including that of our suppliers. As per our commitment to the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil Principles and Criteria, we do not use chemicals identified by the World Health Organisation as Class 1A (including paraquat) or 1B or those listed on the Stockholm or Rotterdam conventions. We do not use bio-accumulative or persistent pesticides. Pesticides are only employed as a temporary measure until natural controls are reactivated.

Access to pesticides is highly restricted in our operations, and all hazardous substances are stored in designated custom-designed buildings. We keep a register of accidents and incidents of abuse and any instances of misuse of chemicals. We closely monitor health effects and toxicity. To mitigate the use of chemicals, we have a holistic biological pest management system in place.

Integrated Pest Management System

The table below charts our chemical usage in 2022 as follows:

Note: The percentage of usage over the total hectarage for each agrochemical/pesticide as the usage varies depending on the type of usage, location, palm age, type of pests and infestation incidences.

Access to medical care is a fundamental human right. We are committed to ensuring that our workers have access to adequate facilities and qualified medical personnel. Our upstream operations, especially in remote locations, are equipped with clinics staffed by both permanent medical personnel and visiting health professionals.

In Upstream Malaysia, all clinics have permanent medical staff and are regularly visited by medical officers at least once a fortnight. In Indonesia and PNG, we employ permanent specialist doctors to serve our employees.

Our clinics are well-prepared for emergencies. In cases where advanced medical attention is required, we facilitate referrals to the nearest hospitals, supported by standby ambulances in high priority areas. If our medical assistants or doctors cannot address a medical issue in a clinic setting, a dedicated person is available to transport workers to nearby hospitals or health facilities. Additionally, we appoint panel clinics near our estates for further support.

Our medical team conducts comprehensive healthcare programs, focusing on infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and maternal and child health. These programs often include special sessions for women and children. To further enhance medical access, we conducted a comprehensive review of our Upstream Malaysia operations. Building on this initiative, similar reviews are planned for our operations in Indonesia and PNG by 2025, ensuring that our healthcare services continue to meet the evolving needs of our workforce.

Sexual harassment and physical violence have no place in our operations.
In 2019, we published a revised sexual harassment policy that sets out robust reporting procedures and prescribed courses of action to remediate sexual and physical violence issues.

The following guiding principles steer the policy:

• Confidentiality
• Prompt inquiry and action
• Support and protection for complainants
• Accountability
• Education and awareness

Employees who are aware of any sexual harassment allegations are required and encouraged to report it through any of our available grievance channels immediately. We conduct various awareness training and campaigns for employees from all levels so they know their rights and the channels for grievance reports.

In our Upstream Malaysia operations, a series of training programmes has been conducted with the Womens' Aid Association (WAO), a local civil society organisation, to develop an improved Women's Safety Framework. The programme contains key components targeted at inculcating a diverse and inclusive workplace culture through gender audits, gender sensitivity training for managers and training for Gender Representatives.

In NBPOL, our subsidiary Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited, participates in campaigns and training against gender-based violence. The programme is organised by UN Women to advocate eradicating violence against women, girls and children in the community, under the theme 'Herem Vois Blo Mi (Orange the World: #HearMeToo)'. Participants are exposed to training on company policies related to domestic violence and sexual harassment, human rights, maternal and equal opportunities, and equal rights. The training also includes an overview of domestic violence and the various forms of abuse women, girls and children face. Site-based churches also participated and held dedicated church services to raise awareness among their respective congregations. Executive staff visited the Christian Care Centre (CCC) to understand better the extent and impact of violence against women, girls and children. They also donated food, clothing and other household items to support the CCC.