Targets and Performance Concerning Occupational Injuries

In the Mid-Term Sustainability Targets as part of the Sumitomo Forestry Group Medium-Term Management Plan, the Sumitomo Forestry Group sets critical targets by fiscal 2027 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.

Concerning the Sumitomo Forestry Group's performance on occupational health and safety against industry standards, the Group is working to reduce the number of occupational injuries by referring to the frequency rates in the same industry.

Occupational Injury in Fiscal 2024

For Sumitomo Forestry Group as a whole, the number of serious occupational injuries (requiring four or more days of absence)increased by 2.4% from 82 in 2023 to 84 in 2024. Number of fatal accidents in Sumitomo Forestry Group was four in fiscal 2024. Of the total, three cases involved falls from height, and one case involved entanglement in machinery. As a measure to reduce occupational injury, in housing business, we are educating and promoting viewing of new visitor training* videos for those involved, and implementing training to improve supervisors' and safety responsibilities. In overseas forest business, we have changed equipment that may cause accidents. In domestic and overseas manufacturing business, we are planning to install additional emergency stop devices and upgrade processing equipment to make it safer. In addition, we are holding online safety conference at Group companies in Japan and overseas to share safety improvement activities at each plant and promote various activities to eliminate serious occupational injuries. In elderly care business, medical cooperation with medical specialists is promoted more than before, and safety of customers and the safety of staff members are achieved.

*An education given to workers when they first enter a construction site to share information on on-site conditions and rules

*1The 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 (four or more days of lost worktime, including the number of cases in which applications for compensated absences from work are pending)

*2Lost-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

Occupational Injury in Forestry Business

In fiscal 2024, to reduce occupational injuries, we conducted a safety conference and safety patrols in Japan. Overseas, there are still many occupational injuries involving the use of mowing knives and chainsaws. As measures to prevent recurrence, we have strengthened safety education for workers, revised work methods, and introduced use of protective equipment.

*1Including the seedling cultivation centers

*2The number of work-related accidents resulting in payment of compensation benefits for absence from work (four or more days of lost worktime) in accordance with the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act is disclosed

*The number of work-related accidents resulting in payment of compensation benefits for absence from work (four or more days of lost worktime) in accordance with the Japanese Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act is disclosed

Occupational Injury in Environmental Energy Business

At Japan Bio Energy, a serious occupational accident occurred in which a worker was fatally injured after being caught in a rotating part beneath a conveyor belt inside the plant. The cause is believed to have been the simultaneous occurrence of an unsafe condition (such as unsafe machinery or objects) and unsafe behavior (intentional actions that could compromise the safety of the worker or related personnel). Japan Bio Energy has implemented permanent safety measures to prevent access to rotating parts and revised its work manuals. In fiscal 2025, the company will also review conditions at other related companies with the goal of achieving zero occupational injuries.

*The number of work-related accidents resulting in payment of compensation benefits for absence from work (four or more days of lost worktime) in accordance with the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act is disclosed

Occupational Injury in Manufacturing Business

The number of occupational injuries, including those resulting in four or more days of lost worktime, remained at a similar level to the previous fiscal year. However, accidents involving rotating parts such as blades increased by two cases compared to the previous year. These continue to be identified as a key issue for prevention, and we will work to reduce them through comprehensive inspections of hazardous areas and the implementation of appropriate countermeasures.

In addition, we will continue to promote risk assessment, KYT (risk prediction training), and near-miss activities, and share occupational injury example cases among plants to raise their staff's awareness. We will make a company-wide effort under basic policy of "creating manufacturing sites with respect for human life and commitment to safety first."

*The number of work-related accidents resulting in payment of compensation benefits for absence from work (four or more days of lost worktime) in accordance with the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act is disclosed

*1The number of work-related accidents resulting in payment of compensation benefits for absence from work (four or more days of lost worktime) in accordance with the Japanese Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act is disclosed

*2Total of 7 companies (consolidated companies) of Nelson Pine Industries (NPIL), Kutai Timber Indonesia (KTI), AST Indonesia (ASTI), Sinar Rimba Pasifik (SRP), Canyon Creek Cabinet (CCC), Vina Eco Board (VECO), and Pan Asia Packing (PAP)

Occupational Injury in Construction Sites

While the number of occupational injuries resulting in four or more days of lost work decreased by four compared to the previous fiscal year, fall-from-height accidents increased. To ensure that workers engage in activities such as attaching hooks to fall prevention devices, installing temporary base and fall prevention nets, and inspecting scaffoldings before use, we continued to conduct a fall prevention course (internal occupational health and safety education) in fiscal 2024 for workers at cooperative building contractors.

*1Disclose number of work-related accidents with four or more days of lost worktime (including sole proprietorship, excluding commuting accidents)

*21000-building rate=Number of work-related accidents with four or more days of absence per 1000 buildings

*3Lost-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

Occupational Injury in Overseas Housing Sites

Many serious occupational injuries are fall-from-height accidents, and examples of countermeasures are shared among the Group. In addition, we conduct occupational health and safety training and safety audits by third party organizations to ensure thorough compliance with safety rules. We also identify issues related to safety management, which will lead to future improvements in management system.

*Occupational accident equivalent to an occupational injury requiring four or more days of absence under Japan’s occupational injury classification

Occupational Injury in Nursing Care Sites

In 2024, there were 22 occupational injuries at two nursing care companies, including accidents not requiring leave. There were four cases of which injured staff are under nursing care (back pain, etc.). While this marks a decrease from the six lower back injury cases recorded in the previous year, such incidents remain a major cause of occupational injuries at nursing care sites. On the other hand, occupational injuries occurring during the care of residents with dementia --which had been on the rise in recent years --decreased to three cases in 2024.

Sumirin Fill Care is taking measures to prevent employees from feeling unwell (such as providing financial assistance to sports clubs), and Sumirin Care Life is taking measures to prevent occupational injury by introducing equipment (transfer assistance robots). In addition, in the event of "incidents during care of residents with dementia," it is necessary to ensure the safety of both residents and staff by strengthening information sharing across facilities and coordinating appropriate care with medical professionals.