Safety
Management Approach
Basic Policy
Placing the top priority for management on safety, we have established the Basic Policy on Safety, under which all employees as well as all persons working at the Kaneka Group and our partner companies work to create safe and healthy workplaces, pursuing the goal of no accidents and no disasters.
Policy
Basic Policies for Responsible Care
- Protect the natural ecosystem and reduce environmental impact
Focusing on the impact of corporate activities on the global environment and the ecosystem, we endeavor to reduce environmental impact and promote resource conservation and energy saving throughout the lifecycle of products. - Offer safe products and information
We endeavor to offer products that are safe to distribute and use, and to provide adequate information on the products such as instructions on how to use and handle products correctly. - Develop products and technologies in consideration of the environment and safety
Upon the development of new products, we give consideration to the environment and safety throughout the lifecycle of the products to the greatest extent possible, and endeavor to develop products and technologies with low environmental impact. - Reduce waste and promote the recycling of plastics
We reduce waste associated with manufacturing and its processes. We actively develop technologies for the adequate disposal or recycling of plastic waste concerning our products in cooperation with relevant industries, and endeavor to dispose of and recycle waste in a proper manner. - Enhance process safety, disaster‒prevention, and occupational safety and health
Safety and disaster prevention constitute the foundations of the local community’s trust, and occupational health and safety are issues that need to be fulfilled by chemical companies. We persistently strive to make improvements in these areas. - Win public confidence
From the management to every employee, all our members shall act in compliance with laws, regulations, standards, etc. relating to environment and safety both at home and abroad. Our approach to Responsible Care as such shall be publicized accurately to the public, in hope of rightfully gaining public recognition and confidence.
Promotion System
Established under the Engine of Sustainability Management, the Safety Committee sets policies and goals related to occupational safety, process safety, and disaster prevention and to check their implementation and progress.
As set out in our Basic Safety Policies, our Zero Accident Principles, and Kaneka Group Code of Conduct, we prioritize safety above all else, observe the principles of safety, and work to ensure that safe practice is taken on board and strictly adhered to. In this way we seek to guarantee safety and peace of mind through stable day-to-day manufacturing operations.
A member of management makes in-person visits to manufacturing sites to confirm the situation on the ground and talk with employees, reaffirming the importance of placing top priority on safety. In his greetings at New Year and on the yearly anniversary of our foundation, the president also delivers a related message directly to employees.
Message from the President (2024 Anniversary of our foundation)
Kaneka has built up trust by steadily supplying valuable products. Manufacturing is a fundamental value, serving as a cornerstone of trust. The stable operation of manufacturing sites begins with ensuring safety. Workplaces are hazardous places, where even a moment’s carelessness can lead to a major accident. Always keep this in mind as you maintain a sense of urgency about ensuring a safe workplace.
Continuing to make steady efforts to deliver stable value to customers is a vital mission for Kaneka.
As part of our internal audits, we conduct ESG safety and quality inspections of all Kaneka manufacturing sites and Group companies in Japan and overseas. We check the progress of activities from various standpoints: occupational safety and health, process safety and disaster prevention, environmental conservation, the quality assurance of products at various stages of manufacture, chemical substance management, and compliance.
Diagram of Promotion System
Ensuring Safety at Our Manufacturing Sites
All employees of the Kaneka Group prioritize safety in their actions, working toward our goal of zero occupational accidents and zero process accidents. With a dual focus on safe culture and equipment safety, we strive to earn the trust of society, maintain a high level of risk awareness among all, and ensure safety at our manufacturing sites.
Safe culture (people)
- Promotion of safety awareness: Plant tours by the president, safety training for plant managers by external experts, and safety education for production supervisors.
- Enhancing risk sensitivity: Visualization of individual fall risk levels and promotion of experiential learning.
- Enhancing security capabilities: Conducted a simplified security capability assessment (*1) at three domestic Group companies. Identified safety-related vulnerabilities and developed improvement plans to enhance security capabilities.
*1Safety capability simplified diagnosis: A method developed by the NPO Japan Industrial Safety Competency Center, commissioned by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, to assess safety capability—including safety culture and safety infrastructure. The assessment involves pre-surveys and analysis, on-site inspections, and interviews across different organizational levels.
Equipment safety (Technology and equipment)
- Improving equipment safety: Continuously promote risk assessment and equipment improvements through HAZOP (*2).
- Plant safety standards: Continuation of the development of plant safety standards aimed at passing down unique safety technologies.
*2HAZOP (Hazard and Operability Studies): A safety assessment method for identifying hazards in processes and operations. This systems engineering approach was originally developed for chemical plants.
Targets and Performance
| Fiscal 2023 target | Fiscal 2023 performance | |
|---|---|---|
|
Ensure occupational safety and health Strengthen process safety and disaster prevention |
1.ESG safety and quality inspections 2.Readiness for emergency |
|
|
Occupational accidents Process accidents |
Zero accidents |
(Occupational accidents) Serious accidents: 1, Accidents resulting in lost time:11, Accidents not resulting in lost time: 4 Process accidents: 6 |
Note:The reporting period for occupational accidents is from January 1 to December 31, 2023.
