Shin Etsu Chemical : Updated of Close-Call (Hiyari-Hatto) Incidents

Key Issues 1: Health and safety for workers

The Group is working on having a comfortable and safe workplace where people can 'prevent the occurrence of serious accidents' and where there is a 'reduction of lost time incidents to zero'.

Occupational Safety

Each of Group's plant clarifies every single possibility that could cause any kind of injury or illness and works hard to eliminate those risks.

In addition, they are KY hazard prediction activities e.g. pointing and calling prior to work and reconfirming safety.

Furthermore, the workers are taking measures against unsafe areas by regularly collecting 'close calls and other incidents of concern' from case examples of workers who have experienced close-call incidents and matters of concern. At the same time, we share our risk information and prevent similar accidents by disclosing this risk information internally and externally.

• 1 KY (Hazard activities)
  Risk prediction activities workers will confirm and reliably carry out activities and safe working methods in order to prevent the occurrence of possible disease or injuries.

Process Safety and Prevention Plan

Prevention of serious accidents is a top priority in the Group, and we continue to work on a variety of safety and disaster prevention activities.

Since fiscal 2013 we have worked to enhance safety management by performing risk evaluations and by implementing effective safety measures, particularly of envisaged abnormal plant conditions.

The Company has been participating in the Japan Society for Safety Engineering's Japan Safety Competency Center since its inauguration in fiscal 2012. Each plant uses the center's 'Safety Evaluation System' to further improve the situation and works even harder on the Process Safety and Prevention Plan.

Education and drills

To keep plant operation constantly safe, it is important for each employee to improve his /her skills and knowledge and be aware of danger.

So besides providing safety education such as on material handling and possible dangers involving processes as well as simulating possible dangers, we plan and conduct emergency drills for abnormal situations such as major earthquakes or fires. In addition, we work on handing down operation at skills for manufacturing equipment.

Furthermore, we are working to foster an awareness of safety by creating a workplace atmosphere in which operation processes and rules are observed.

Environmental Control and Safety Audits

In order to confirm that activities such as environmental conservation, occupational safety and health, process safety and prevention plan are carried out as planned, the Group conducts an audit.

In referring to cases from other companies in fiscal 2013, we communicated the status of 'Thorough Management of Plant Safety' and 'Nonroutine Work Safety Measures' within the company. The fiscal 2015 audit was conducted focusing on these points. Their implementation status in fiscal 2015 was conducted as a special audit theme.

Health Considerations

We work on promoting worker's healthy life-styles both physically and mentally and work to prevent any possible disease by encouraging them to undergo physical check-ups, receive necessary advice and counseling, and to join in physical activities.

Our head office and branch offices have a Health Committee, and each plant has a Safety and Health Committee. The committee works to improve the workplace environment and to promote worker's health with advice and information from industrial physicians. We also have special programs such as physical fitness checks and seminars which help workers to maintain and improve their physical conditions.

Furthermore, we have set up Family health consultation with our health insurance union and an affiliated insurance company. It is available 24 hours a day. This consultation can also be used by the family members of employees.

Targets and Results

Every fiscal year, the Group creates environmental and safety management plans based on Responsible Care code. The entire Group works on key issues such as the prevention of major disasters including explosions and fires and industrial accidents according to the management plan prepared.

Reporting of accidents and lost time injuries

In fiscal 2015, there were four lost work time injuries in the Group companies in Japan. We have analyzed causes for each incident and reviewed safety on handling hazardous materials and possible hazardous operations to eliminate possible dangers and also secure equipment safety, and have implemented appropriate safety measures. Furthermore, we are working on revising the operation manuals to help prevent re-occurrence of the incidents.

We will continue to work on preventing work-related accidents complying with what was decided.

Number of Lost-Time Injuries and Changes in Frequency Rates (Group companies in Japan)