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Occupational Health and Safety Management
Basic Policy
The Sumitomo Forestry Group established the Sumitomo Forestry Group Occupational Health and Safety Policy in order to further improve occupational health and safety activities in its corporations in August 2021. Based on the fundamental concept of "SAFETY FIRST" and the implementation of the policy, we seek to create a thriving workplace by maintaining a healthy and safe work environment.
Sumitomo Forestry and all Sumitomo Forestry Group companies, as well as business partners involved in the Group's operations, are required to routinely engage in occupational health and safety activities as the foundation of corporate management in line with this policy.
The policy reflects the expectations of stakeholders for quality improvement, which were gathered through a questionnaire survey of Group employees on their quality values and activities, as well as interviews with internal executives, senior managers, and major business partners.
In addition to disclosing this policy on our website, we also use various tools to promote understanding and penetration of the policy, such as posting it on posters and including it in the employee handbook.
In addition, Sumitomo Forestry has established Rules for Safety and Health Management with an aim of fostering a workplace environment in which employees can perform their jobs in a safe and healthy manner. The rules prescribe that a general OHS manager is to be stationed at each place of business regardless of how big it is, and every year, the Company checks on the status of the officer and OHS committee meetings.
Sumitomo Forestry Group Occupational Health and Safety Policy
Based on the fundamental concept of "SAFETY FIRST", the Sumitomo Forestry Group seeks to create a thriving workplace by maintaining a healthy and safe work environment.
- Full employee participation in health and safety initiatives
All employees of our Group's operations shall consciously participate in health and safety initiatives. - Thorough compliance
We shall strictly comply with all laws, ordinances, safety standards and other rules related to occupational health and safety. - Reducing risk and creating a thriving workplace
We shall identify hidden risks in the work environment and continuously make improvements to create a thriving workplace. - Securing safety with state-of-the-art technologies and labor-saving measures
We shall create a safe workplace by actively promoting the use of state-of-the-art technologies and labor-saving measures that will help address personnel shortages and technical transfer issues. - Nurturing a culture of mutual respect
We shall nurture a culture where everyone respects both the processes and the results of health and safety initiatives to increase motivation to pursue them. - Developing human resources through health and safety training programs
We shall provide all employees health and safety training and we shall actively pursue initiatives to develop human resources who will take on the responsibility of creating a thriving workplace. - Promoting active communication
Through the active pursuit of mutual dialogue, including with stakeholders, we shall build good relationships that help ensure a sense of psychological security.
President and Representative Director
Toshiro Mitsuyoshi
Occupational Health and Safety Management System
Promotion System
The Sumitomo Forestry Group has established Quality Control and Worker Safety Management Department as an office directly under the president strives to consistently improve product and service quality and eradicate occupational accidents. The office provides guidance and advice to the entire Group in Japan and overseas, as well as developing and strengthening the quality and occupational health and safety management system. In addition, the Sustainability Committee considers and reports on important occupational health and safety issues that affect the entire Group. We conducted a survey of the current status of quality management systems at 70 Group companies in Japan and overseas in fiscal 2022 and presented the findings at the Sustainability Committee and other entities.
Personnel department manages non-consolidated OHS of the Sumitomo Forestry, and heads of the personnel department provide OHS instructions and support branches in establishing OHS systems. In addition, OHS committees chaired by the general manager of each business division (General Manger of Personnel Department at the head office) and composed of members such as health and safety managers, industrial physicians, and labor union members were established in each business division, and matters discussed each month are posted on the intranet for the purpose of information sharing and enlightenment.
We have established individual policies and manuals for safety and health management in each of our businesses, such as Forestry, Manufacturing, Environment and Energy, and Housing, based on the characteristics of each business, aiming to prevent accidents at work sites and ensure workers' health.
Implementation and Enhancement of ISO 45001 Management System
The Sumitomo Forestry Group promotes the operation of the ISO 45001 occupational health and safety management system (ISO 45001) to reduce the risk of occupational injury and maintain safe and healthy workplaces.
Among Sumitomo Forestry Group companies, businesses with particularly high occupational injury risks are analyzed, prioritized, and promoted for implementation.
In introducing an occupational health and safety management system, we support ISO training sessions for companies considering the introduction of such a system, and we recommend that they start operating the system based on a self-declaration of conformity* and then undergo an external audit to reduce the difficulty of introducing the system.
Departments and divisions that have acquired ISO 45001 self-compliance and external certification promote the operation of ISO45001 by conducting internal auditing on a regular basis to ensure continuous improvement.
The scope of consolidated subsidiaries to be certified focuses on companies that are engaged in high occupational injury risk businesses. In fiscal 2022, the certification rate of targeted consolidated organizations was 36.0% (based on sales).
*An ISO-based management system has been established, operated and adapted by the company
Acquisition Status of Occupational Health and Safety Certifications at Each Group Company
Company | Country | Type of certification | Date acquired | Date renewed |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sumitomo Forestry Environment and Resources Division | Japan | ISO45001:2018 | August 2021 | - |
Sumitomo Forestry School of Professional Building Techniques | Japan | ISO45001:2018 | September 2022 | - |
Sumitomo Forestry Crest | Japan | ISO45001:2018 | February 2013 | February 2022 |
PT. Rimba Partikel Indonesia (RPI) | Indonesia | ISO45001:2018 | March 2019 | July 2021 |
Kutai Timber Indonesia (KTI) | Indonesia | ISO45001:2018 | January 2020 | November 2022 |
Nelson Pine Industries (NPIL) | New Zealand | ISO45001:2018 | October 2019 | July 2022 |
Rapidly Comprehending and Dealing with Occupational Injury
The Sumitomo Forestry Group operates Two-hour Rule system designed to quickly and accurately communicate information to management in the event of an emergency situation that may have a grave impact on company management. In addition to the regular reporting line, it utilizes communication via the division responsible for risk management. Through this system, management can take the best decision speedily, ensuring an initial response which avoids loss and controls the situation. Moreover, it serves a role in collecting and accumulating reported cases and assists in improved business practice and prevention of recurrence.
Furthermore, the structure is organized so that, by sharing information with the public relations departments, important situations are disclosed to stakeholders properly and in a timely manner.
Serious occupational injuries are reported and managed through case reports on risk manifestations at monthly meetings of the Board of Executive Officers, as well as at quarterly meetings of the ESG Sustainability Committee and Risk Management Committee.
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Awareness education in the Company
To encourage deeper awareness and understanding among Group employees, posters were delivered to all our workplaces, branches, and offices, as well as offices and plants of Group companies in Japan and overseas, in accordance with the establishment of the “Occupational Health and Safety Policy.” The slogan posters represent the president’s own opinions on occupational health and safety and quality for the Sumitomo Forestry Group as a whole. “SAFETY FIRST” means that the safety shall be put at the first place, and it applies to all of the Group's businesses and occupations. Sumitomo Forestry Group Occupational Health and Safety Policy is regularly disseminated to all employees through the Sumitomo Forestry Group Handbook and the business intranet, in addition to posting policy posters in easily visible locations.

Sumitomo Forestry Group "SAFETY FIRST, ZERO DEFECTS" slogan poster
Occupational Health and Safety Award
The Sumitomo Forestry Group established the Occupational Health and Safety Award at the Sumitomo Forestry Group Performance Awards Ceremony as of December, 2021, held in April 2022. Based on the concept of "Safety First," the award is given to the top entity of each head office department and division that has achieved results in raising workplace safety awareness and promoting safety activities to eliminate occupational injuries. In fiscal 2021, three companies and one school were awarded.
Purpose of the Occupational Health and Safety Award
- Raising awareness of occupational health and safety activities (especially zero occupational injury) with the participation of all employees
- Nurturing a culture of mutual respect
- Motivating employees, branches, and Group companies
Occupational Health and Safety Award*
Division | Award-winning companies and schools | Reason for award |
---|---|---|
Environment and Resources Division | Hachinohe Biomass Electric Power Co., Ltd. | Achieved zero occupational injury for more than three consecutive terms through the promotion of safety activities |
Timber and Building Materials Division | Sumitomo Forestry Crest Co., Ltd. | Achieved zero occupational injury for the fiscal year endedDecember 2021, for the first time since the company's founding. Since the introduction of OHSAS (now ISO 45001) in 2013, the reduction of the number of occupational injuries has been achieved through the continuation of safety activities. |
Lifestyle Service Division | Sumirin Fill Care Esperanza Noborito | Achieved zero occupational injury for the past three fiscal years. Specific efforts to prevent occupational injury were implemented on a daily basis, and this was a success. |
Headquarters | Sumitomo Forestry School of Professional Building Techniques | Achieved zero serious occupational injury for the past three fiscal years for both faculty and students. ISO 45001 occupational health and safety management system to promote a culture of safety. |
*Awarded based on performance in fiscal 2021
Human Resources Development
The Sumitomo Forestry Group also strives to develop human resources by conducting training for internal auditors, including Group employees. In fiscal 2021, the Quality Control and Worker Safety Management Department started ISO 45001 internal auditor training courses, and in fiscal 2022, 50 employees (36 in the internal auditor qualification course and 14 in the standard explanation course) completed the courses. In addition, a course on "Occupational Safety, Health, and Quality" was established in e-learning through the company website. The Sumitomo Forestry Group has introduced two new courses, including the content of understanding and infiltrating Sumitomo Forestry Group occupational health and safety policy and the basic course of risk management, to promote occupational health and safety education. In addition, the Quality Control and Worker Safety Management Department lends DVD materials on occupational health and safety for use in employee education and safety conferences, including those at Group companies. We will continue to strengthen our safety system, by providing guidance and advice to the entire Group.
Number of ISO 45001 internal auditors in the Sumitomo Forestry Group who have obtained the qualification *
FY2020 | FY2021 | FY2022 |
---|---|---|
8 | 44 | 39 |
*Including those who have obtained qualifications through external training
FY2022 major education on occupational health and safety (company-wide education)
Title | Form | Purpose | Object | Number of people attending (persons) |
---|---|---|---|---|
What is ISO for your organization's operations? [Courses began in August 2021] |
e-learning | Understand the basics of ISO management systems and link them to activities that promote the development of systems to address organizational issues and concerns. | Sumitomo Forestry Group companies (some excluded) |
2,349* |
ISO 45001 management system [Courses began in November 2021] |
e-learning | Go one step beyond the basics of ISO 45001 management system and link them to activities that promote the development of systems to address organizational issues and concerns. | Sumitomo Forestry Group companies (some excluded) |
2,315* |
What is Sumitomo Forestry Group's “Safety First”? Know more about our safety policy! [Courses began in July 2022] |
e-learning | Deepen understanding of the “Sumitomo Forestry Group Quality Policy” and promote health and safety activities with all employees working together | Sumitomo Forestry Group companies (some excluded) |
116* |
You may know it, but you don't know it!? Risk Assessment Part 1: Let's learn the basics, key points! [Courses began in December 2022] |
e-learning | Learn the concepts of what is safety, what is risk, what is a source of danger, and understand risk assessment | Sumitomo Forestry Group companies (some excluded) |
28* |
ISO 45001 Management System Internal Auditor Training Seminar | Group training | Learn the requirements of ISO 45001 (overview) and key points of internal audit techniques with exercises to improve internal audit skills. | Sumitomo Forestry Group companies |
50 |
ISO 45001 Management System Overview Training |
Group training Online training |
Acquire knowledge of on-site occupational health and safety management before traveling to overseas Group companies | Travelers to overseas Group companies | 25* |
*Cumulative total as of the end of December 2022
Targets and Performance Concerning Occupational Injuries
In the Mid-Term Sustainability Targets as part of the Sumitomo Forestry Group Mid-Term Management Plan, the Sumitomo Forestry Group sets critical targets by fiscal 2024 as "zero occupational injury and lost work time". The Sumitomo Forestry Group aims to achieve its critical targets and defines priority sustainability measures in each division. The performance toward achieving these targets is reviewed each fiscal year.
With regard to the performance of the Sumitomo Forestry Group with respect to occupational health and safety against industry standards, the Group is also working to reduce the number of occupational injuries by referring to the frequency rates in the same industry.
Occupational Injuries (Non-Consolidated)*1 *2
FY2019 | FY2020 | FY2021 | FY2022 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Number of occupational injuries (incidents)*3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
Lost-time injury frequency rate*4 | 0.2 | 0.29 | 0.19 | 0.42 |
Work-related illness frequency rate | 0 | 0.29 | 0 | 0 |
*1The aggregation period for fiscal 2020 onwards is January to December of each year, and the aggregation for fiscal 2019 is April 2019 to March 2020
*2One fatal occupational injury in fiscal 2020
*3The number of work-related accidents resulting in payment of compensation benefits for absence from work in accordance with the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act is disclosed (including the number of cases in which applications for compensated absences from work are pending)
*4Lost-time injury frequency rate = Number of occupational fatalities or injuries resulting in an absence from work of at least one day ÷ Total number of working hours × 1,000,000
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