Acron : Allocates RUB 640 Million to Occupational and Industrial Safety under Its ESG Strategy

Acron Group, a leading vertically integrated mineral fertiliser producer in Russia and globally, makes serious investments in occupational and industrial safety under its ESG strategy. In 2020, the Group's investments in occupational and industrial safety measures almost doubled year-on-year to RUB 640 million.

Chairman of Acron's Board of Directors Alexander Popov sees multiple benefits to this approach. 'Acron Group's occupational and industrial safety policies under its ESG strategy focus on ensuring accident-free operations, the occupational safety of its employees, and the health of people living in the Group's footprint regions'.

The Group uses high-tech equipment to construct new and upgrade existing production lines, runs equipment diagnostics to ensure that equipment and process flows are operated safely, and tests the safety of feedstock and materials used in operations.

In 2020, the Group's production facilities took measures to improve labour conditions and protect personnel, reduce the number of industrial accidents and occupational diseases, and optimise occupational risks. Employees who are exposed to a hazardous working environment were provided with healthy meals. The Group spent more than RUB 71 million (up 70% year-on-year) on these measures in the reporting year.

Acron Group conducts special assessments at its production facilities in order to improve labour conditions and protect personnel from occupational hazards. All employees at the Group's production facilities must undergo preliminary and regular medical examinations and receive personal protective equipment. Equipment diagnostics are run regularly to ensure the safety of personnel during equipment operation and production processes.

In the reporting year, Acron (Veliky Novgorod) installed automatic and remote regulation and control systems and devices for production equipment and processes, as well as for the lifting and transportation machinery at the mineral fertiliser divisions, nitric acid shop, instrumentation and automation shop, and centralised repair and maintenance division.

Acron Group focuses on preventing industrial emergencies and continuously monitors the development of emergency containment and recovery measures. In 2020, the Group's NWPC mining facility signed an agreement with the Paramilitary Mine Rescue Unit of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations to provide comprehensive mine rescue services and train auxiliary mine rescue teams for mine rescue certification.

In addition, all Acron Group facilities conduct occupational and industrial safety training and testing, as well as training and testing for managers and specialists. Personnel in the occupational, industrial, fire and environmental safety departments carry out comprehensive targeted and unscheduled inspections on a regular basis.

All of the Group's facilities are covered by a liability insurance policy for hazardous production facilities and are insured for civil liability; all employees are insured against accidents and occupational diseases.