Encouragement is given to all employees both in the UK and
overseas to participate in the Group’s savings related share
option schemes under which options over the Company’s shares
are granted to employees who enter into contracts to save
agreed amounts each month. Invitations under the UK and the
International schemes have been made each year since the
schemes were first introduced in 1984.
Ability and aptitude are the determining factors in the selection,
training, career development and promotion of all employees.
We understand our responsibility as employers under the
Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and we do not discriminate
against disabled people. If an employee is, or becomes,
disabled during his or her period of employment, we will, if
necessary and to the extent possible, adapt the work
environment to enable the employee to continue in his or her
current position or retrain the employee for duties suited to that
employee’s abilities following disablement. It continues to be the
Group’s policy to consider applications for employment from
disabled people on the same basis as other potential employees.
Health and safety
Health and safety training is part of the induction process for
new employees. Specific training is given, where relevant, for
forklift truck, crane and hoist operation and bottle gas usage as
well as fire safety and first aid training.
Risk assessments were introduced during 2003 in various parts
of the Group and these have now been phased into the other
parts of the Group. Assessments are carried out on a regular
basis and also when new equipment or machinery is acquired
or new processes are introduced.
During 2003 the recording and reporting of accidents and
related lost time statistics became more formalised and now
forms the basis of regular reporting to the Executive Board.
In 2004 the gathering and reporting of accident statistics was
further refined and continues to be reported to, and monitored
by, the Executive Board.
Workplace injuries and fatalities in 2004
| Rate of non-fatal over 3-day workplace injuries (Notes 1 and 2) |
1,335* |
| Rate of fatal workplace injuries (Note2) |
nil |
*The rate in 2003 was 1,333. The rate for 2004 includes the statistics in
respect of the two acquisitions in the year.
Notes
- Over 3-day workplace injury means an injury at work leading to an absence from work of more than 3 days.
- The above rates are expressed per 100,000 employees per year, in line with the normal reporting standard by the Health & Safety Executive.
2. Environment
Policy
To promote and improve throughout the Group the benefits of
efficient usage of energy and water.
Actions
Recycling processes have been in use in the Group for many
years. Recycled materials and those that minimise negative
environmental impacts are used wherever possible. A steadily
increasing proportion of the packaging, paper, toner cartridges
and cartons used by the Group’s operations is recycled after use
and in many cases biodegradable packaging is used.
It is in the interests of the environment and in the financial
interests of the Group to make the most efficient and
responsible use of energy. The practice of responsible resource
and energy management through reduced consumption and the
encouragement of energy and water efficiency is widespread
throughout the Group’s operations world-wide.
Developments during 2004 include:
Vinten continues to refine and develop its Environmental
Management System, taking into account appropriate best
practices. Vinten strives to improve consumption of materials in
all operations and to reduce, rather than have to dispose of,
waste wherever possible and to promote recycling and the use
of recycled materials. Vinten works in partnership with its
suppliers to minimise the impact of operations through a quality
purchasing policy and recycling through suppliers. They also
use a recycling system that covers paper, cans and plastic cups
and have an on-going water-efficiency programme.
Vinten has changed the protective finish on fasteners and
screws from zinc plate to an organic protective finish. Soldering
fume extraction has been improved in robotics assembly areas
and trials in the use of lead free solder have been successfully
completed. Waste paper recycling has been extended to the
whole of the Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk site and printer
cartridges are also recycled. The viewing windows on machine
tools have been replaced to comply with imminent safety
regulations. Vinten has also implemented a system of controlled
disposal of used electrical equipment.
In 2005 Vinten intends to maximise recycling opportunities via
an agreement with an external supplier who will manage all
waste disposal at the Bury St Edmunds site. A documented,
and audited, Broadcast Camera Support ‘Environmental
Management System’ will be implemented at both the Bury St
Edmunds and the Costa Rica manufacturing sites.