Implementation 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. ISO 45001 is an international standard for the Occupational Safety and Health Management System, entered into force by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in March 2018, with the aim of reducing possibility of labor accidents and associated management risks. By utilizing ISO 45001 scheme, systematizing occupational health and safety management system, it will be possible to identify and address problems at an early stage and implement effective preventive measures. A reduction in occupational injury leads to a reduction in associated human and economic costs.

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 ISO 45001 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 2023, the certification rate of targeted consolidated organizations was 27.7% (based on sales).

*An ISO-based management system has been established, operated and adapted by the company

Acquisition of "ISO 45001: 2018" Certification for Domestic Forestry Business

Sumitomo Forestry's Domestic Forestry Group, Forest Resources Department, which is responsible for forest management in company-owned forests in Japan that cover approximately 1/800 of the domestic land area, has been working with contract business to raise awareness of occupational injury prevention by developing our own occupational safety management manual, introducing mechanization, and introducing drones for transporting seedlings materials. To further strengthen safety activities and raise awareness of safety, we introduced the ISO 45001 occupational health and safety management system in fiscal 2021.

Sumitomo Forestry's Environment and Energy Department, Environment and Resources Division, Japan Bio Energy, and Quality Control and Worker Safety Management Department jointly acquired ISO 45001:2018 certification in August 2021. In 2022, the Domestic Forestry Group, Forest Resources Department, Environment and Resources Division, Niihama Forestry Office, and Motoyama Seedling Tree Farming Center were added to the scope of application. In 2023, Hyuga Forestry Office, Togo Seedling Center, and Gifu Seedling Center were added to them. As a result, Resources and Environmental Division of Sumitomo Forestry acquired "ISO 45001:2018" certification.

We will continue to strengthen our safety and health management system in our company-owned forests and seedlings operations.

Acquisition of "ISO 45001: 2018" Certification for Environmental Energy Business

ISO 45001 Self-Conformity Declaration* was implemented by Japan Bio Energy in February 2020. As Sumitomo Forestry's environment and energy department, Japan Bio Energy, Sumitomo Forestry's management department of the Environment and Resources Division, and Quality Control and Worker Safety Management Department jointly acquired ISO 45001:2018 certification in August 2021. In In July 2023, Michinoku Bioenergy and Okhotsk Bioenergy were added to scope of application. In December 2023, Hachinohe Bio Energy conducted Self-Conformity Declaration of "ISO 45001:2018", and is promoting utilization of management systems and strengthening management of occupational health and safety.

*An ISO-based management system has been established, operated and adapted by the company

Acquisition of "ISO 45001: 2018" Certification for Domestic Construction Sites

Sumitomo Forestry's homes utilize traditional Japanese techniques in wooden constructions, but with the aging of construction craftspeople, it is becoming increasingly difficult to pass on the skills of wooden constructions.

Sumitomo Forestry School of Professional Building Techniques is an in-house training school established in 1988 for the purpose of training technicians to construct "Sumitomo Forestry Homes". In addition to honing their construction skills, students can cultivate a foundation as a member of society through group living. Courses are divided into carpentry training, plastering training, and framework training, and are designed to foster technicians and engineers specializing in wooden house construction.

Regarding safety education for those who received training, we always provide thorough training and guidance, we acquired "ISO 45001:2018" certification in September 2022. We will also focus on training of internal auditing to maintain and improve their competence in the future.

Those who received training at the school are active throughout Japan as carpenters, plasterers, and other craftspeople and engineers involved in the construction of Sumitomo Forestry homes.

We will utilize PDCA cycle, which is an ISO 45001 method, and make efforts to provide continuous guidance on occupational health and safety.