Safety and Health

The KOBELCO Group operates under the basic philosophy that safety and health are fundamental to business operations and take priority over all business activities. Under this principle, we naturally comply with relevant laws and regulations and carry out various safety and health activities to create a vibrant workplace where employees can work in a safe and secure environment.

Based on our Companywide Safety and Health Management Policy, each business site formulates its own safety and health management policy, safety and health targets, and safety and health action plans, and promotes improvements through the PDCA cycle. In addition, we work together with contractors and other important external stakeholders involved in the Group's business to ensure the implementation of thorough safety and health management.

As a result of our efforts, occupational accidents have decreased, and the lost time injury frequency rate has been low. We will continue these activities based on our recognition that protecting the lives and health of employees is the utmost priority in terms of fulfilling corporate social responsibilities. At this point in time, the Company has not obtained external certification such as ISO 45001. However, the Environment and Safety Department plays a central role in on-site inspections and audits based on Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems (OSHMS) for all business sites, Group companies, and relevant contractors. The department identifies weaknesses and provides cross-sectional support from the perspectives of personnel, facilities, and management, in an effort to improve the level of safety and health.

The KOBELCO Group holds Companywide Safety and Health Meetings (Group Safety and Health Meetings) attended by the executive officer who is responsible for safety and health at Kobe Steel and the safety and heath officer at each Group company, to decide on policies, targets, issues, and initiatives for improvements related to safety and health activities. In terms of business site management, the Company's safety and health division plays a central role in safety and health activities implemented in cooperation with manufacturing divisions and business partners, while the Head Office's Environment and Safety Department is primarily responsible for internal audits (safety and health diagnoses) involving checking and following up on activities and their management status.

At the same time, when an occupational accident occurs, we strive to prevent similar accidents from occurring by rapidly clarifying the cause and taking improvement measures, as well as holding Operating Division Liaison Meetings in cases where horizontal deployment is required.