Safety at the workplace
At Solvay, safety is more than just a priority; it's a core value that guides everything we do. We believe that everyone has the right to a safe and healthy work environment.
We are committed to maintaining an accident-free workplace to keep our employees safe. Our goal is to achieve zero accidents and a zero reportable injury and illness rate (RIR) per 200,000 work hours by 2030.
We continuously improve workplace safety and reinforce our safety culture.
Why is Safety a core value?
- People first: Our people are our most valuable asset. Their safety and well-being are paramount.
- Ethical responsibility: We have a moral obligation to protect our employees, contractors, and the communities where we operate.
- Business continuity: A strong safety culture also ensures operational excellence and minimizes disruptions.
How is this translated into practice?
- Rigorous standards: We maintain and enforce strict safety standards and procedures across all our sites globally.
- Continuous training: Safety training is provided to all employees.
- Risk assessment: Proactive risk assessments are conducted to identify and mitigate potential hazards.
- Open communication: We encourage open communication about safety concerns and near misses.
- Incident reporting and investigation: All incidents are thoroughly investigated to prevent recurrence.
- Employee’s formal commitment: Safety is integrated into our Solvay Code of Business Integrity (COBI), and each employee must sign every year.
Safety for Generations: Global approach
Safety for Generations is the fundamental expression of our safety purpose. It’s about protecting our people and embedding safety as a core Group Sustainability value.
It translates into five axes (points of the star) that drive our safety transformation program. These areas encompass the most important safety rules, and the desired safety culture for both our employees, and partners.
We are raising the bar in safety leadership, emphasizing presence in the field, and setting a strong example. We want to empower every employee to be an active participant in safety.
Our S.A.F.E. charter
A crucial initiative aimed at enhancing safety priority across our global operations.
This charter represents a significant shift in the Group’s approach to safety, emphasizing the critical role of leadership and a collective commitment to a safe working environment. All employees have a role to play in ensuring safety.
Solvay Life Saving Rules: Protecting lives every day
We introduced the Life Saving Rules in 2015 as a key component of our Global Safety Excellence Plan. These are vital rules for creating and maintaining secure working environments.
Core focus and proven impact
- These rules are limited to 10 critical actions.
- They are precise and unambiguous, ensuring clear understanding and compliance.
- A staggering 90% of serious accidents are linked to a failure to adhere to these Life Saving Rules.
Our Life Saving Rules are more than policies; they are essential ways of working that protect lives. These rules must remain front and center in everything we do.
Safety Days
Held every year on April 28, World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an international campaign to promote safe and healthy workplaces to help reduce the number of work-related deaths and injuries worldwide. It has been observed by the International Labor Organization (ILO) for 20 years.
At Solvay, the safety and well-being of our colleagues is imperative and each site organizes once a year a “Safety Day”. It takes different forms, depending on the year and the site.
Occupational Health
Solvay's Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) management system is aligned with ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 definitions and with our Responsible Care Policy.
Through these standards, Solvay is committed to safeguard people, decrease our impact on the environment and ensure our product stewardship over its life cycle with a culture of continuous improvement.
This is achieved through robust processes and a culture of continuous improvement:
- Health and safety: Adhering to procedures and guidelines on occupational health and safety, process, transport safety, product safety and security.
- Product stewardship: Promotion of substitution for Solvay substances of very high concern (SVHC) when possible.
- Security: Enhancing measures under the Responsible Care Security Code.
- Process improvement: Using audits, risk assessments, and performance monitoring.
- Sustainability strategy: Focusing on materiality topics, energy efficiency, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
- Sustainability benchmarking: Ensuring best practices in sustainability management.
This reflects Solvay’s position as a signatory to the International Council of Chemical Associations ICCA’s Responsible Care Global Charter®.
Responsible Care Policy
