Safe at the start and finish line - KGHM is the leader in safe work in the Copper Belt

Significant reduction in the number of accidents at work and support for the rescue system in the Copper Belt - KGHM takes comprehensive care of the life and health of both its staff and the people of the region. 28 April is World Day for Safety and Health at Work.

KGHM, together with the Polish Copper Employers' Association, organised a seminar at its Lubin headquarters on "Health protection and safety of employees in industry. Be responsible for yourself and others". This was an excellent opportunity to present a number of the copper company's activities in the area of safety. Participants in the seminar laid flowers at the memorial to victims of accidents at work and a commemorative plaque. 28 April is World Day for Safety and Health at Work.

"Safety is one of the core values of KGHM and our activities can be characterised by one word: comprehensiveness. We protect the health of employees, create a friendly working environment and minimise risks. Importantly, all employees take care of this by following the procedures and rules in force in the company. The crew has access to training on OHS principles or educational programmes" - said Tomasz Zdzikot, President of KGHM Polska Miedz S.A.

The KGHM CEO added that in terms of safety, the company uses innovative work organisation and early warning systems are in place. For training, among other things, VR (Virtual Reality) technology is used, where employees learn the rules of working at heights or basic safety rules.

"Importantly, at KGHM we also help those who help. The KGHM Foundation supports both the fire brigade and volunteer fire brigades across the country. As we are in Lubin today, I would just like to add that, last year, over PLN 1 million was donated to such units for the purchase of fire engines or rescue equipment," stressed Tomasz Zdzikot.

Think about the consequences

The organisation of work at KGHM is governed by the "Zero Harm" principle. The aim is to identify hazards, to prepare properly in terms of safety and to equip all workplaces in mines and other plants with appropriate technical means.

KGHM is improving systems to protect people at work underground - machines are, for example, fitted with capsule cabins to protect the operator, or with cameras to increase the field of vision when manoeuvring. In addition, the copper company carries out research projects aimed at increasing the effectiveness and safety of work. These include the mechanisation of mining operations through the introduction of remotely controlled machines and monitoring systems.

KGHM also implements the Employee Safety Improvement Programme - "Think of the Consequences" and the Programme for eliminating the most common occupational safety hazards through the use of innovative technologies. A Health and Safety at Work tab has been launched on the Company's internal portal addressed to the Company's employees, where articles, infographics, announcements concerning the principles of safe behaviour, internal, national and European regulations and good practices applied in foreign mines are placed.

At the surface and underground divisions of KGHM, posters were placed showing the correct equipment for a production worker regarding clothing, footwear and personal protective equipment. The posters were personalised for the individual divisions - mining, smelting, the Ore Enrichment Plant and the Hydrotechnical plant.

Safety and health

The health of employees, their families and the people of the Copper Belt in Poland is taken care of by the Miedziowe Centrum Zdrowia (MCZ – Copper Health Centre) in Lubin. Thanks to purchases of equipment made, among others, by the KGHM Polska Miedź Foundation, it is one of the best-equipped centres in Lower Silesia. Employees can take advantage of the MCZ's offer as part of subscription care. The cost of the employee subscription, which is paid by the employer, allows the use of specialist doctor's advice and laboratory tests.

Rescue at the highest level

KGHM's rescuers and firefighters are among the best in the world. Their professionalism and skills have been recognised on many occasions. At the recent International Rescue Squad Competition (2022), KGHM's mine rescuers took third place in one of the competitions, receiving a bronze medal.

This year, KGHM's Emergency Rescue Unit opened a new control room and administration building for firefighters and rescuers. The Sobin facility was equipped with top-quality communication systems and modern IT systems. The investment started in 2021 and cost more than PLN 5.5 million. Rescuers now have better working conditions, and this translates into safety not only for KGHM employees, but for the entire Copper Belt.

The new control room is unique not only in terms of its equipment. For the first time in KGHM's history, it offers the possibility of conducting a rescue or evacuation operation directly from Sobin.

Helping the Copper Belt

KGHM regularly supports projects and activities related to rescue, civil protection and public safety. The funds are mostly used to purchase modern rescue and firefighting equipment and specialist vehicles for emergency and rescue services, including fire and police units. In 2022 alone, the Foundation made 42 financial donations of more than PLN 2,200,000 including subsidised purchase of 14 specialist vehicles in Lower Silesia.

Safe Work Week

The Safe Work Week campaign has been underway at KGHM since yesterday. At the divisions of the copper company it is possible to learn about the most important principles of occupational health and safety, but not only. Stands have been organised where it will be possible to talk to a physiotherapist, an addiction specialist and occupational health and safety services. There will also be the opportunity to measure blood pressure and sugar levels, receive a short first aid training in VR glasses or learn how fire extinguishers work.

Decrease in accident rate

Last year, KGHM saw a significant year-on-year reduction in the number of accidents at work from 165 to 149 (a decrease of 16 accidents). The majority of recorded accidents at work (around 98.7%) were of a minor nature.

KGHM's LTIFR (Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate KGHM) in 2022 (i.e. the total number of accidents at work in the company standardised to 1 million hours worked by KGHM employees) was at a value of 5.05. This was 72.8% lower than the value recorded in 2010, and 10.3% lower than the value recorded in 2021. This is the best result in KGHM's history to date.