GRI 403-2 Hazard identification, risk assessment, and incident investigation
Our Health and Safety Department includes Process Safety, Emergency Response, and Business Risk functions. These functions conduct risk and hazard assessments across our operations, covering People, the Environment, Assets, and Business Continuity.
We monitor and evaluate Occupational Health and Safety System performance and develop action plans addressing improvement opportunities for hazards and risks identified within our Rural Occupational Risk Management Program (PGRTR) and Risk Management Plan (PGR).
Based on the PGR and task descriptions (see GRI 403-1), we identify the risks associated with each task. We then use this information to create action plans focused on accident and incident prevention as well as opportunities for improvement.
Health and safety performance indicators are monitored by our health and safety team, which presents performance metrics to all departments in monthly meetings, and to the board and management in bi-weekly occupational health and safety meetings.
Health and safety performance is internally assessed by the Health and Safety team and shared with department heads in monthly safety meetings, and with the board and management in bi-weekly Occupational Health and Safety meetings. During these meetings, members discuss performance indicators and opportunities to improve processes.
In 2023, we engaged EHS Brazil to conduct a safety culture assessment in our mill operations to evaluate our level of maturity in health and safety management. The assessment informed the development of a cultural transformation plan (CTP). During the year, we launched a critical risk assessment to inform the development of a Safety Management Manual for our mill operations. We also implemented a new system for managing health and safety indicators.
Additionally that year, we created a Process Safety and Emergency function to ensure equipment is safe and reliable and prevent accidents, incidents, or damage to Bracell’s assets. Our process safety guidelines are compliant with the Regulatory Standards of the Brazilian Ministry of Labor and Employment and are integrated into the PGR program.
Programs, processes, and practices for risk assessment and accident investigation |
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Hazard Reports | Hazard Reports are issued for all employee roles and tasks. Risk assessments are carried out by a specialized firm using appropriate methods that are compliant with current legislation. |
Workplace Environment Condition Reports (LTCAT) | These reports identify areas eligible for hazard bonuses and that require enhanced risk control measures. They also inform action plans that guide prevention efforts. |
Risk Management
Program (PGR) |
This program aims to identify risks and measures to control and prevent them (collective protection equipment, administrative measures, training and personal protective equipment). |
Rural Occupational Risk Management Program (PGRTR) | Through this program, we identify, assess, and manage occupational risks in our forestry operations. |
Worker protection policies and processes | To shield workers from retaliation, Bracell has policies and processes in place to prevent intimidation, threats, or actions that could negatively impact employment or the workplace environment, such as termination, demotion, loss of income, punishment, and any other unfavorable treatment. |
Right of Refusal | All employees have a right to refuse to perform a given task if they feel unsafe, by completing the right-of-refusal field in the Work Clearance form. |
Sempre Alerta and Safe Behavior Program | We have two behavioral programs supporting our goal of achieving zero incidents: Sempre Alerta (“Always Alert”), with a focus on our forestry and mill operations, and our Safe Behavior Program, with a focus on mill operations, both of which are designed to preventively achieve continuous improvement in our safety culture. |
Prevention card | All employees are issued a prevention card containing a list of 10 self-assessment criteria, which they must carry with their badge. This card includes a reminder of their right to stop their task, immediately notify their supervisor, and only continue the task when the risk has been neutralized or eliminated. The right of refusal is also included in each employee category’s collective bargaining agreement. |
Internal Accident Prevention Committee (CIPA) | Bracell has a continuous improvement subcommittee within CIPA that documents safety actions implemented and their practical outcomes. |
Accident Prevention Week | A week dedicated to improving employees’ understanding of operational and occupational safety procedures, as well as safe behavior. |
Accident and Incident Investigation | In cases of accidents and incidents, the root causes are investigated and determined with the participation of managers, area owners, the Occupational Health and Safety team, the Internal Accident Prevention Committee (CIPA), and those directly involved in the incident. These investigations, conducted in accordance with internal safety procedures, aim to identify the root causes, implement actions to address them, and document lessons learned to prevent recurrence. |
Root Cause Analysis | All accidents and incidents occurring in our operations are documented and investigated through Root Cause Analysis (learn more below). |
Occupational Safety Inspection Reports (RIST) | Occupational Safety Inspection Reports (RIST) are prepared as part of internal health, safety and environment audits. These reports cover 199 safety compliance items (derived from Brazilian regulatory standards NR01, NR31, NR12 and safety training content). These reports are prepared on a regular basis by occupational safety employees for compliance with applicable regulations and for continuous improvement in our forestry operations.
As an additional preventive measure, department-specific and general performance review meetings are held to develop action plans addressing safety inspection items raised by the occupational safety team. |
Occupational Health Surveillance Program | This program maps out workers’ tasks and workplaces, the occupational hazards to which they are exposed, and the medical exams required for the prevention of occupational diseases and health protection. It also establishes the frequency at which health checkups are to be conducted. All workers are covered by health and safety management systems. |
Administrative Disciplinary and Remediation Rules (“RADAR”) | These rules are designed to embed operational discipline and safe behaviors in Bracell’s mill and forestry operations. In addition to strengthening the safety culture of everyone who interacts with the company’s processes, RADAR also establishes a more transparent and fair approach to recognizing good safety practices, as well as a new tolerance stance on unsafe conduct that causes accidents in our operations. |