Striving for 0 Accidents

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01 Safety F!RST - Project and Policyinnovations TM

Personnel magazine ofAtlas Copco Airpower nvBoomsesteenweg 957B-2610 Wilrijk/AntwerpenPhone +32 3 870 21 11

Responsible EditorEllen Steck (Phone 9106)

Editor in ChiefIsabel Vancoillie (Phone 9860)isabel.vancoillie@be.atlascopco.com

RedactionStephan KuhnTom VermeerschSteven BruyndonckxGuido Van UffelenGeert BernaertsReinout DuymelinckJohan Van der EekenHans ThibauBavo KieboomsSteve InsleghersMariska MathieuMarianne DeckersHendrik TimmermansEdouard RoggeOlaf Theurich

Striving for 0 Accidents 4 Safety Charter from Atlas Copco Airpower nv 6 Health and Safety Policy Compressor Technique 7 Atlas Copco establishes a SHE Council 8 Measure is Treasure 9

Current Actions - Specific Legislation02

Personal Protective Equipment 12 Avoid Hand Injuries, Wear Gloves 14 Company Fire Brigade 15 Adressing a Problem - Working with Loctite 16 Spray Cans, Danger can hide Everywhere! 17

Health and Safety Guidelines03

Dangerous Products - Safety Regulations 18 New European Regulations on Dangerous

Chemicals and Preparations in the coming 21 Database FS Prevention Service 22 Psychosocial Stress 23 Airpower - Alcohol- and Drug-free Company 24

Safety, a Task for Everyone04

Safety, Health and Welbeing. A Task for Everyone! 25 GPP and JAP !? 26 Working with Third Parties 27 Also Job Students must get to Work Safely 28 ICE - a Golden Tip in case of Emergency 29 Working with Display Screen Equipment 30 Safety F!RST, everywhere in the World 31 NEW - Safety Flyer for Visitors 31

Did you know that…

… in Belgium - on an annual basis - 250,000 accidents happen at work or during transfer to and from work?

… some customers only order from us if our accident rate is low?

… Atlas Copco Airpower signed the safety charter from Agoria? Atlas Copco Airpower was one of the pioneers from the start. The purpose of this charter is to have safe yards thanks to good agreements between the customer and the contractor. This charter is not without obliga-tions, because the government can drop a company if they have a bad evaluation. More information? Go to www.veiligheidscharter.be

By Stephan Kuhn

First in Mind—First in Choice®

Dear Colleagues,

I would like to take the opportunity, in this special of innova-tions™, to stress the importance of working safe, in everything we do, around the world.

Our target is to reduce the amount of accidents that we had, in each operating unit of Compressor Technique, by 50% or more compared to last year.

We also strive to reduce the number of sick leave days that are taken by Compressor Technique employees each year. The targets to reduce the sick leave time and the number of acci-dents will be set by each operating unit and approved through the standard management process.

In Compressor Technique, we have a history of working very aggressively and passionately, all in the spirit of achieving business results. But it is essential to remember that achieving our business mission only matters when we are all safe.

Specifically, there are three reasons why we must all be concerned about safety…

1. Everyone must return home safely at the end of the day. It is expected and we owe it to all around us. Obviously, this is not only an Atlas Copco goal, it’s the right thing to do as human beings.

2. At Atlas Copco’s Compressor Technique, we’re modern and innovative and this is the perception that so many of our customers have of us – we’re extremely good in so many areas. We have many innovative products, we are ahead of the compe-tition in energy efficiency, ease of use, reliability, etc. We have fantastic processes such as our financial tools and procedures and the internal job market.

When it comes to our safety record, however, we are not the best everywhere. We have operational units who outshine the others by not having lost time accidents for several consecutive months or years, such as Wuxitec and some of our sales compa-nies in South America. But we also have operational units who need to wake-up.

And, we shall not forget that more and more customers ask for our safety record before placing orders with us. In Rental Service, for example, we cannot get orders from several, large multinational petrochemical companies, if our number of acci-dents is higher than 2 per one million hours worked. So lets be a modern company, also in safety.

3. We have legal responsibilities as a company. We must comply with local safety standards in every market where we operate. This is not an option, we have a managerial and legal responsibility to ensure we are safe in our work at Atlas Copco.

As our safety specialists in many countries know, when an accident happens, the burden of proof towards the authorities is with us. The authorities will investigate whether our safety system is structured to avoid accidents. If our safety system is found to be weak, it can result in heavy legal consequences on the company but also the individual managers involved.

The good news is that achieving higher levels of safety IS possible at Compressor Technique.

Let’s make sure that we all come home safely after a hard days work. This is why we’re putting Safety First at Compressor Technique!

I’d like to wish you a happy and healthy work day, today and every day at Compressor Technique.

Stephan Kuhn,

President Compressor TechniqueAtlas Copco

Safety comes first!

Reducing accidents and having more healthy days at work is our goal. We can do this! We must do this!

03

Project and PolicyBoarding, Take off ...

Striving for O AccidentsAt the beginning of April, everyone received an airline ticket in their mailbox with destination "Striving for zero accidents…" It appeared to be an invitation, but what exactly was this all about?

The airline ticket was not an invitation for an extra week of holidays, but invited everyone to the information sessions about safety. During the week of April 19th, every day a large group of employees were introduced in an interactive and playful way why Atlas Copco wants to grow towards a zero accident policy. That is what the Safety F!RST project is all about. At this training, the spotlights were turned on our current culture, as well as on interesting figures about the current safety situa-tion in our company. After that, the vision and action plan for the next three years were introduced by means of a comic play. This vision and action plan will help us make our dream come true… Through an exciting quiz, the employees could catch a glimpse of the actions that will be taken the coming weeks and months.

The goal of the Safety F!RST campaign is clear. Meanwhile, everyone knows we started an action around safety awareness.

At Airpower, the safety campaign was linked to the aircraft industry, because of its good reputation when it comes to strict safety procedures and the attention that is given to its employees and passengers. Were you ever in an airport? Then no doubt you have experienced the safety regulations there!

On March 15, a boarding took place at Airpower: 75 employees – ranging from factory workers to presidents from the different divisions – were elected to become a member of the “Safety Wing”. These Safety Wing members embarked on an adventure together and decided on March 15 the route that should be taken to decrease the number of accidents as much as possible. Together they wrote the safety charter for Airpower (see also page 6). This document was also used as a base for the “Take Off“ sessions – the information sessions held in April for all employees.

Of course this campaign is a part of a larger whole. At the end of last year, our President Stephan Kuhn stated that safety within Atlas Copco should get priority. When we compare our safety figures with those of companies from equal sectors, we could improve a lot. On group level, a policy was defined and an action group created, which underlines the importance of safety and health at work. As well as on the level of Compressor Technique as on the level of Airpower, working groups were formed to schedule an action plan…

The project team (Karoline Vandingenen, Steven Bruyndonckx, Reinout Duymelinck, Edouard Rogge, Bavo Kiebooms, Marc Weyns, Ellen Verlinden, Ulrik De Backer and Isabel Vancoillie (last 5 not on the picture)) in full action.

Through short action plays, incorrect situations in production were criticized in a funny way. The actors gained a lot of support from the audience.

All working groups discussed about safety at Atlas Copco.

If we put safety first and act accordingly, the number of accidents and incidents will lower as well. Let's go for zero accidents!

Boarding, Take off ...

With the Take Off sessions the official starting shot was given – or rather the taking off of our flight to zero accidents. The goal is ambitious, but not unachievable. The coming three years will form an interesting journey. Each one year period forms a “Mach”*, and in each Mach a detailed action plan will be put into practice. The Mach supports the idea of reducing the number of accidents drastically. Someone moving at a speed that exceeds a Mach will break the sound barrier. For 2010, already eight actions/projects were initiated. Below a short overview:# Safety shoes – wearing safety shoes is mandatory when

accessing working places and labs, except when walking on the green pedestrian zones.

# Safety F!RST logo was hung up in all buildings and shops – visualization of the campaign

# Safety crosses in every division – visualization of the safety figures

# Safety as a priority agenda topic on daily and weekly meetings

# Improve the safety for cyclists # Optimization of the internal traffic plan# Monthly safety flash – monthly update with interesting

safety news # Starter pack with personal safety gear for every new

employeeOf course a lot of other projects are still in the pipeline!

Did we not do anything about safety in the past? Of course we did, as you can read in the articles of this innovations™ special.

Isabel Vancoillie

*Mach: the speed of sound

Every working Group wrote down its vision on the safety policy within Airpower. Afterwards this was consolidated in the Airpower charter.

We care a lot about safety. Looking for the correct answers in the safety newspaper.

Safety F!RST is a flight forward. It’s more than a project or a campaign, it’s a long-term vision; a journey we all should embark on together!

06

Blok 1Ondertittel Blokfrom Atlas Copco Airpower NV

Safety Charter

We aim to make safety the first priority in our company. We do not make any compromises and we conti-nuously strive for improvement.

# Safety must become a second nature of everybody and each employee of Atlas Copco is expected to act as an example to others. He/she knows the procedures, respects them and takes care of a healthy discipline with regard to everyone.

# We also expect this from our externals; customers, suppliers, subcontractors for whom we take responsibility.

# To make this possible, each employee will receive sufficient education and training material and will dispose of the proper labor means and personal protective equipment. For a new employee this is provided on the first workday.

# With regard to safety, a logical behavior is required without any exception.

# Each problem or unsafe situation has to be dealt with instantly. Management will provide sufficient time in order to approach the person involved immediately after the incident. Through open commu-nication corrective measures will be implemented as soon as possible.

# We will evolve to a culture where everybody accepts to be tackled on unsafe situations or behavior and does the same with mutual respect.

# We stimulate the exchange of information in an atmosphere of open communication. Via informa-tion boards we give feedback to all employees about the safety regulations and the results that were achieved. Furthermore, safety will be the first point of interest in meetings.

# We guarantee that safety is a fixed part of each innovating project and it is therefore an issue that is always open to improvement.

# We continuously follow the latest innovations with regard to safety and take care of a quick imple-mentation.

# We consider order and neatness of paramount importance.

Safety will be dealt with in a proactive, positive, coordinating and uniform way. Worldwide we support the same view on this matter.

07

Our Policy on Health and Safety (H&S) of the Business Area of Compressor Technique is in line with the Health and Safety Guideline issued by the Atlas Copco Group. It includes a commitment to put health and safety and the well-being of our employees as a paramount priority and requires the use of risk-based management systems, which are audited regularly. All Operational Units we control are required to manage H&S in line with this policy.

PolicyEvery Operational Unit within Compressor Technique:

# Has a systematic approach to H&S management designed to ensure compliance with the law and to achieve conti-

nuous performance improvement. The system shall meet the requirements of the common Safety, Quality and Envi-

ronmantal Management System. The system shall be certified according OHSAS 18001;

# Sets targets for improvement and measures, appraises and reports performance;

# Manages H&S matters like any other critical business activity;

# Requires contractors to manage H&S in line with this policy; and

# Includes H&S performance in the appraisal of the operational management and rewards, accordingly.

H&S Goal and Target# Within Atlas Copco Compressor Technique we pursue the goal of zero incidents or accidents and a continuous low

level of illness.

# Specific targets will be proposed annually by each Operational Unit and approved by the superior level for frequency

rate, and absenteism.

# Specific targets will be proposed annually by each Operational Unit on the severity rate (i.e. number of days of

absence following the day of the accident per 1,000 hours worked in that unit) for which no superior approval is

needed.

H&S Responsibiliy and Authority# Each person working for or operating with Atlas Copco Compressor Technique shall take the responsibility for:

# His/Her own safety;

# The safety of others (including visitors and contractors) as related to the outcome of his/her work;

# The safety of his/her colleagues through early warning and reminder;

# The information of the operational management of the unit about potential hazards.

# The operational management of each Operational Unit shall install the necessary measures to ensure safe operation.

# Each Operational Unit will have a Preventive Advisor for Safety on Site (PASS) responsible to advise the operational

management and employees on subjects with potential impact on health and safety. This includes the operations

internal and external to the site, done under the responsibility of the unit.

# Each Operational Unit shall organize regularly (min. 4/year) a consultation forum to follow-up health and safety

issues. This forum has representatives from the operational management and the employees and is chaired by the

highest ranking manager of the unit. This forum will report to the general management of the Operational Unit.

# The general mangement of the Operational Unit assumes full responsibility for the H&S for operations under his/her

control.

H&S Practice# Promote a culture in which all employees share this commitment through training, awareness, communications

campaigns and awarding, and the implementation of continuous improvement projects.

# Develop products, processes and services through systems that allow safe production (and test), transport, instal-

lation, maintenance and repair and disposal. This includes the identification of critical safety areas, provision and

maintenance of necessary safety measures according the following methodology in the order given: (1) eliminate or

reduce risks as far as possible, (2) take the necessary protective measures in relation to risks that cannot be elimi-

nated, and as last (3) inform users of the residual risks,indicate the particular training requirements and specify any

need to provide personal protective equipment.

Health and Safety PolicyCompressor Technique

08

Health and Safety Policy

Atlas Copco has set new Group targets to increase the focus on safety and health. To support the implementation and follow-up of the new targets and related issues, the Group has also decided to establish a Safety, Health and Environ-mental (SHE) Council. The SHE Council replaces the Envi-ronmental Council.

The mission of the Safety, Occupational Health and Environ-mental (SHE) Council will be to provide support to the Group. Among the tasks are to# Maintain and update the Safety, Occupational Health and

Environmental Policy, objectives and targets for approval by Group Management.

# Monitor the development of appropriate Safety, Occupational Health and Environmental issues and give advice to the divi-sions and to Group management

# Follow up on performance and consolidate the Group result and follow up against targets.

# Suggest action and updates of Group objectives and targets based on the units’ reported performance.

# Provide appropriate training to the operational units.# Benchmark with other companies.

In de SHE Raad zijn de verschillende Business Area’s vertegen-woordigd: # Atlas Copco AB - Karin Holmquist, Karin Hermansson# Compressor Technique - Andre Balliauw, Pascale Penné# Construction and Mining Technique -

Anna Brandhorst-Satzkorn, Christina Wågström# Industrial Technique - Anna Gejke# Service Providers - Ricardo LopezNaast de kerntaken zal de raad ook jaarlijks het kwaliteitsbe-leid van de Groep herzien.

* In addition to its main tasks, the council will annually review the Group’s quality policy.

Source: Group News

Atlas Copco establishesa SHE council

# The operational management ensures the appropriate use of the safety measures, including Personal Protective

Equipment (PPE). The PASS evaluates the effectivenss of the measures identified above and reports accordingly to the

operational management.

# The operational management ensures the selection of third parties operating under our responsibility in a Busi-

ness unit to have a safety system and to be able to operate within our management system. The third party will be

informed and will inform of the risks involved. This implies that:

# Subcontractors operating on our sites and subcontractors operating under our responsibility at customer sites will

operate safety systems compatible with this policy.

# Subcontractors will inform us of specific hazards related to their operations.

# Customers are asked to inform us of specific measures to be taken in order to avoid any exposure that risks safety

in any way.

# Violations of safety rules are sanctionned according to the disciplenary measures applicable in the Operational Unit.

# Each accident or incident shall be reported to the operational management and PASS, an action plan shall be esta-

blished, documented and implemented under control of the operational management and the effectiveness will be

assessed by the PASS.

# Emergency procedures are implemented in order to respond effectively in the event of accidents;

they will be regularly tested and their effectiveness evaluated, reviewed and adjusted.

# Each Operational Unit reports on its performance and provides the necessary input for manage-

ment review at the level of the unit and the superior level. This includes key performance

indicators on accidents, frequency accidents and sick leave. In addition, corresponding

action plans or improvement projects are presented. This reporting will allow benchmarking

amongst units with similar operations.

Wilrijk, December 8, 2009

Accident figures 1999-2009

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Measure is TreasureMeasure is treasure, is often said. This is also the case for prevention. In order to measure the evolution of industrial accidents, relative numbers are used:

The frequency rate gives an idea of the number of accidents. The severity rate illustrates the severity of the accidents by looking at the number of workdays lost because of these accidents. The number of working hours performed is taken into account to enable the comparison between different factories, divisions, employees and between periods with a lot or less work.

Frequency rate (FR) = number of work accidents (with at least 1 day of absence) x 1000000 working hours performed during the measured period

Severity rate (SR) = number of workdays lost (following an accident) x 1000 working hours performed

In 2009 Atlas Copco Airpower had a frequency rate of 30.92 or 1 in 20 labourers had an industrial accident causing absence. The severity rate was 0.60; this indicates that on average each colleague had to stand in for a victim for 1 day.

If we look at the figures for the last 10 years, we notice a posi-tive evolution, except for the years 2005 and 2006. We can observe a decrease, both in the number of accidents and in the severity of the accidents. So we are going in the right direc-tion!

The question we are asking ourselves now is: how is Atlas Copco Airpower doing compared to similar industries in our environment? In spite of all our efforts and investments our frequency rate is much higher than in similar assembly companies. These companies have a frequency rate that is 1/3 of Atlas Copco’s or even better. Their severity rate is, not taking into account a few exceptions, half of ours. So there is still a lot of room for improvement!

Project and Policy

Compared to surrounding businesses

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Industrial Air Airtec Oil-free Air Service Center Portable Air Airpower

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Industrial Air Airtec Oil-free Air Service Center Portable Air Airpower

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Let’s now take a look at the different divisions. If we look at the figures below, we notice that some perform much better than others. Industrial Air, Portable Air and Oil-free Air have a frequency rate that is twice as low as the rate of Airtec and the Service Center. With regard to the severity rate, we also see huge differences with mainly Oil-free Air who can submit the nicest figures.

Measure is Treasure

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Industrial Air Airtec Oil-free Air Service Center Portable Air Airpower

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Industrial Air Airtec Oil-free Air Service Center Portable Air Airpower

How it should not be done A safety job had to be done and everybody was asked to do it. Everybody was sure somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was everybody’s job. Everybody thought anybody could do it, but nobody realized that everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that everybody blamed somebody when nobody did what anybody should have done.

The man with the suitcasesDuring the Safety F!RST sessions, we met a man who wanted to check in for a flight. He had too many luggage with him and he came from the country called "how it shouldn't be", let's say the past. Together with the assistance of the security officer and the audience, he managed to sort his luggage and took only the really important and necessary things on his trip to the future... A perfect example.

Measure is Treasure

Hendrik Timmermans & Bavo Kiebooms

Work station

Application

Compulsory Recomended

Safety shoes

Gloves

Heat-resistantgloves

Safety glasses

Hearing protection

Dust mask

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Necessity PPE's

Current Actions

Personal Protective EquipmentPersonal protective equipment is indispensible for employees who are exposed to risks for which injuries can not be ruled out. Our prevention service drew up a procedure that can be found in the Airpower Procedures database.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is by definition equipment that is intended for the employee to wear or hold for protec-tion against one or more risks that endanger his/her safety or health at work.

First, it has to be investigated if a risk can be eliminated. If this is not possible, we can still consider implementing a collective protection. The use of personal protective equipment is thus

the last step in the prevention strategy to reduce the industrial risks.

Personal protective equipment usually only protects a limited part of the body against a number of specific dangers. It can even introduce new dangers (limited freedom of movement, limited sight,…). That is why the choice of PPE has to be consi-dered well and has to be approved by the prevention service. All our protective equipment can be found in the list of standard personal protective equipment.

The matrix below illustrates the use of personal protective equipment:

Div. Airtec

FSP-RD 23/04/2010

Number of incidents/accidents by type of injury - 2009

78

29

1410

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Necessity PPE's

Through the years, the segmentation of injuries is followed up by the prevention advisors. This enables us to determine specific actions. For example in 2008 Airtec started with a campaign to consciously protect the eyes (BOB campaign).

Eye protection campaign(BOB campaign)Wearing safety glasses used to be compulsory in the entire B-shop. At that time there were still a lot of open machining operations. The current closed machines have changed the situation a lot. The safety of the operator is also taken into account. That is why it was decided to re-evaluate the B-shop and to determine where and for which operations wearing safety glasses is still necessary.

In addition, a market research was organized to determine the best safety glasses. A supplier that best met our requirements was selected. If you now enter the B-shop, you will find at every access point a matrix that indicates the instructions for wearing safety glasses. We have also defined ‘blue zones’ in which both safety shoes and safety glasses are required. It is compulsory to wear safety shoes outside of the green footpaths. These regulations apply to employees as well as to workers. Finally, a few collec-tive measures were also organized. Side shields were provided for all safety glasses with corrective lenses so that all existing safety glasses, of which the side shields had been removed, could again be turned into safety glasses.

Edouard Rogge & Reinout Duymelinck

Are safety glasses with side shields compulsory?The main requirements for safety glasses are described in a European standard. Alongside the conditions that are established for the lenses and frame, the glasses are also considered as a whole.

An important change in the current standard compared to the previous standard is the following: testing the lateral impact on safety glasses is now systematically included in the standard procedure. In practice this requires all safety glasses to be equipped with (inte-grated) side shields. It is self-evident that the product no longer meets the current standard if the people wearing the glasses remove the side shields. In addi-tion, the person wearing it is no longer sufficiently protected. For a lot of standard safety glasses however, the design of the lenses constitutes an integrated whole, both forward and sideways. In this manner, nobody is tempted to remove the side shields anymore.

But, bare in mind that side shields alone are not suffi-cient. Safety glasses are also required to be able to with-stand aging and corrosion. Additionally, the glasses are required to be fire-resistant.

Source: S&F@W, 03-2009

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Hand related incidents

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Gloves

Avoid Hand Injuries,wear Gloves

Analysis of incidents and industrial accidents within the Airpower Service Center (ASC) tells us that in more than 25% of these incidents and accidents the hands are involved. Mostly it concerns little cuts caused by paper- or cardboard edges. Also little stab wounds caused by wood- and metal splinters occurred frequently.

That is why we started a project in September 2009 to decrease drastically the number of hand injuries. As a preventative measure we obliged to wear gloves with all picking and packing activities. Also the pallets and the accompanying rings must be manipulated with gloves.

During a period of three months we accurately followed up all hand related incidents and accidents and the results will pass inspection! The graph below shows the number of hand injuries before and after the implementation of the gloves project (see yellow arrow).

I would like to thank all ASC employees for wearing their gloves day after day! As you can see it actually contributes to a safer ASC!

Tom Vermeersch

A lot of hand injuries can be avoided by wearing gloves.

15

Company Fire BrigadeIf a company or organization employs more than 50 employees or if it occupies a site/building that has multiple floors, it has to maintain a first intervention team. This team is formed by the fire brigade, who also decides which resources the team should dispose of.

It is self-evident that all this is done in mutual consultation and that it is adapted to the risks that are present in the company. Our fire department holds 20 members and 5 employees who form the first intervention team of Portable Air. The team consists of a commander (you can recognize this person by his orange intervention clothing), 1 fulltime fireman and preven-tion advisors (black intervention clothing with orange shoulder pieces) and the men (black intervention clothing). Wherever possible, these employees are assigned as much as possible to different teams and divisions. This team does a collective exer-cise twice a month. The exercises are alternated with theory and practice. In this manner, it is made sure that the opera-tional knowledge of the installation is brushed up regularly. The following subjects are covered: where the fire detection stations are located, the sprinkler stations, gas detection, cut-off devices, reels, fire extinguishers, smoke evacuation panels,… The practical exercises could be for example: evacu-ation of a wounded person from the roof or reaching difficult locations with different types of extinction equipment. During these exercises the radio communication (from different loca-tions) is also completely integrated. Finally, the members of the company fire brigade are regularly deployed as fire guards for dangerous or jeopardous activities that require a fire licence.

Steve Insleghers

Resources:- Our company fire brigade has among other things an

intervention vehicle at its disposal: VOLVO FL6-14 with winch drive 4*2 weight: 10 ton gross, year of construction: 8/11/1988 wheelbase 3440 mm & length 6895 mm

- Purpose/deployment: equipment vehicle, company fire brigade Atlas Copco

- Pump: Ziegler 4*40 and 2*45 suction 110 water tank 2500 litres

- Equipment: power generator 5 kVA, submersible pump Grindex, 4*powder PG6, 1* BIO, foam lances L2-L4-L8, the necessary hoses and lances, compressor 24l, compressed air 3* PA80 Dräger, lifting cushions, …

- Occupation: driver + 7 men.- Other available equipment: axial reels, hydrants,

sprinkler system, supply of water, RWA systems, First intervention extinction equipment, appropriate extinction equipment (kitchens), …

Fire !

16

Working with Loctite

Addressing a Problem

Some time ago, our company doctor, Guy Vogt, informed us of a health issue. It concerned a complaint of an operator who had been suffering from his airways after using Loctite 7063. An action group was immediately formed in order to further investigate the problem and take the appropriate measures. The action group was composed of people with a different connec-tion to this problem (company doctor; prevention advisor; coach; foreman; monitor and method man of the line; training coordinator). In this manner, the solutions that were found could immediately be adopted by the entire division.

Analysis of the problemThe team visited the location to observe what precisely was the problem. The respiratory problems were reported after working with a spray can (Loctite 7063) to degrease gears. The first question the team asked itself was if the method-instruction indeed prescribed to use this product. The answer was nega-tive, but this does not solve the problem.

RisksA second question that was raised, was if the employees on the production lines knew what the effects of the product were and maybe more importantly what the risks were. Out of conveni-ence they often use a spray can which is nearby. “There’s no harm, both are degreasers.”

ActionA delegation checked all the production lines. They took away product 7063 wherever it was not prescribed. In order to prevent that these spray cans would shortly again be available on the lines, a collective decision was made to take it off the demand list, making it more difficult to order it. Each order that is now made for this product must first be approved by a coach.

Continual improvementThis leaves the sites where the use of Loctite 7063 is neces-sary. For these specific tasks it was decided to include its use specifically in the instructions. But as the team is committed to address the root of the problem, we are still fully investiga-ting how to replace the spray cans by a fluid alternative. These fluids can be applied to a cloth via with submersible pumps in order to degrease the pieces. The first tests will be performed soon.

In places where smaller gears need to be degreased, we are investigating if they can be submersed in a tub, making it no longer necessary to spray.

Additionally, the use of all spray cans was checked within Oil-free Air in order to assess if measures were required. Everyone agreed that reducing the use of spray cans will provide for a work environment that is healthier and more environmentally friendly.

Safety F!RST, or demonstration of how a group of committed people managed to realize a lot for safety and health in a short time span.

To clarify, Loctite 7063 is a degreasing product just as Loctite 7070. Both spray cans come in almost the same packaging, but Loctite 7063 is much more aggressive.

Guido Van Uffelen

17

Spray Cans

Danger can hide Everywhere! We all use spray cans now and then in our daily lives. Yet not everyone is aware that working with spray cans holds a potential danger. Spray cans are pressure vessels after all.

A spray can is a container in which a fluid is kept under pres-sure by a propellant, designed to release the fluid as a finely distributed haze. But where is the danger?

Potential dangerIn order to guarantee the safety, the material used to produce the spray can must be creep resistant and have sufficient strength in all directions. On the plastic spray button, a little ring of a fire-resistant plastic is placed around the spray hole on the outside. This prevents the fire to intrude, in case the haze coming out of the spray can is lit. Especially for spray cans with glues, paint and zinc spray, there is a probability that the spray hole gets clogged. In order to prevent this, you can first use the spray can upside down, enabling the propellant to clean the spray hole. This is not the case for spray cans with foam, because they are used upside down. So, in order to clean the spray hole, it has to be held upright. Safety directions Spray cans can contain substances that are dangerous. Legisla-tion provides which information on potential hazard has to be mentioned on the packaging.

In order to establish which danger information has to be included on the label, the producer determines what is the worst that can happen with the product. He first looks at the danger qualities of all the substances in the product. He then

uses a calculation method in order to determine if the product is dangerous based on the characteristics of the substances. Tests are performed to evaluate if the product in the spray can is flammable.

Warning labels that can be found on every spray can:# Contents under pressure.# Keep out of the sun and don’t expose to temperatures above

50°C.# Do not puncture or incinerate after use.

Warning labels on spray cans that contain combustible subs-tances:# Keep away from combustible sources; no smoking.# Do not apply near flames or a glowing object.# Store out of reach of children.

Guido Van Uffelen

Did you know that spray cans can be very harmful for our ozone layer? The majority of the damage is caused by CFC’s (chlorofluorocarbon). Spray cans contain CFC’s, but they are also in the cooling liquid of fridges and freezers.

18

Health and Safety Guidelines

Specific Legislation

Dangerous ProductsSafety RegulationsSafety regulations are very important in order to use dange-rous substances in a safe and ecological manner, be it for single use or standardized applications. Such regulations apply to operations in all Airpower divisions. There are however exceptions for the products used in the medical department and the Airtec materials lab. But how do we deal with these regulations?

How to apply for a new product?Before a new product can be applied for, one should verify if a similar product is already being used within Airpower. Infor-mation on this subject can be found through the standard database under SHE-regulations (Safety-Health-Environment) for dangerous products or through the prevention service.

No new dangerous product can be applied for without prior inquiry to the prevention service. Don’t wait to do this until a few days before testing. If the SHE-regulations are not avai-lable on the work floor or if the operator has not been informed and doesn’t have the necessary personal protection equipment, the product can not be used. If it concerns a single use this procedure is carried out in a limited manner. But even then all the services concerned have to be consulted and the products may not be used before all SHE-regulations are available.

How does the application procedure work?Even before an application for a new product can be initiated, the applicant is required to have a safety information sheet. This document is provided by the supplier together with the product. It is composed of fixed statutory sections and contains specialized information on safety, health and environmental aspects. It has to be available at all times for the prevention

service, the company doctor and the emergency services. This document is to be filled out completely and dated. This appli-cation is then completed by the prevention advisor and the company medical department and counts as a SHE-regulation. Only when all people involved agree on the SHE-measure, the application is returned to the applicant. As of that moment the product can be supplied. Storing the product is done accor-ding to the regulations. It is the task of the applicant and the foreman to inform the user sufficiently and to make sure that all prescribed equipment is available before the product is tested. The testing period can last for three months at the most. Afterwards the applicant draws up a written evaluation using the appropriate form. The SHE-regulations can be modi-fied on the basis of this evaluation. In case of a 100% positive evaluation, the prevention service can include the product in the standard database under the SHE-regulations for dangerous products.

What is the task of the management?The foreman is expected to first orally inform the users of the product on the appropriate SHE-regulations. This includes all co-workers that come into contact with the product (produc-tion, storage, replacement and transport of the product). The foreman makes the SHE-regulations available on the work station using a Safety Card (this card is only intended for internal use and can be retrieved by the user). It mentions specific, local information that has to be available in the neighbourhood of the end user. The foreman ensures that the user understands and applies these regulations. The users are informed on the used products at least once a year. Moreover, the foreman ensures that all the waste products are discarded in the prescribed manner.

19

Health and Safety Guidelines

Finally, the product has to have the appropriate labelling, which should mention the following data, as stated in the SHE-regulations:# The name of the product;# Indication of the dangers with corresponding symbols;# The risk phrases: the number as well as a description of the

danger;# The safety recommendations: the number as well as the

safety measures;# Name and the address of the producer or of every other person

that supplies the product to the employee: for our internal

labels this condition is fulfilled with an Atlas Copco logo. For the original packaging, this is done by the supplier.

# If the product is supplied in a different (usually smaller) packaging, this is done under responsibility of the foreman of the appropriate flow team.

Where can all this information be found?The safety information sheets and SHE sheets are managed in the central web application "Chemical Handling": www.acvillage.org/GROUP/Standard/GSD_CHS.nsf

Upon first access a user profile is to be created. Choose the option below in the welcome window and define your profile.

The ‘My Products’ view gives a summary of all currently approved products within your unit. Click on ‘Product name’ in order to open the Safety Card (or the SDS-symbol with the corresponding safety information sheet).

Searching by article number or product name is a faster way.

20

Health and Safety Guidelines

For products sold under a private brand, the safety information sheets are published in several languages on the website of the Group Standards Department (GSD) www.atlascopco.com/GSD.

More info?Contact the Airpower standards department for more information.

Guido Van Uffelen & Geert Bernaerts

21

European Regulations

New European Regulation on Dangerous Chemicals and Preparations in the making!GHS (Globally Harmonised System), the global system of classification and labelling of chemicals has been approved by the United Nations. The European Union will adopt it as a regulation, under the name of CLP (Regulation on Classifi-cation, Labelling and Packaging).

The first safety information sheets and products with GHS labels are already coming out as we speak. This is the starting-signal for companies to adjust the information to employees on dangerous products!

Why CLP?The laws and regulations for the determination and commu-nication of the harmful qualities of chemical products differ from country to country. This often creates confusion, because some products are considered toxic in one country and harm-less in other countries. So there was a need for an international harmonized approach. The advantages are clear:# An international uniform comprehensible system for commu-

nicating the hazards increases the protection of people and the environment;

# Countries that don’t have a system yet, now have a recog-nized system at their disposal;

# It is less often necessary to test and evaluate chemicals;# The international trade is simplified.

Direct consequences of CLP?A number of criteria for the classification of substances and preparations have changed. Companies that market these products, will have to (re)classify them according to the new criteria in the following years, which in its turn has some implications for environmental licences, seveso-classification, safety instructions,…

For the average user of dangerous products, the modification of the labels will be the most apparent and fundamental conse-quence. The familiar square orange labels disappear and are replaced by diamond shaped white labels with a red edge.

The well-known St Andrew’s cross (black cross) will no longer be used and is replaces by labels with an exclamation mark. Moreover, an entire new label is introduced, namely a silhou-ette with an exploding heart or lung. This symbol will be used for the higher classes of health hazards.

However, it is not the case that all existing labels will easily be translated into new labels. Which labels to use will have to be determined for each product based on the modified criteria. We can therefore not create an easy old/new table.

The harmful qualities are classified in three main categories:

Globally Harmonized System (GHS)

Nieuw

Cat 1. Material hazards Cat 2. Health hazards Cat 3. Environmental hazards

Flammable Oxidizing Explosive Gas under pressure Toxic Dangerous Corrosive Harmful Harmful to the envi-

ronment

Oud

-

-

When will CLP enter into force?The regulation has entered into force on January 20th, 2009 and provides for transitional periods. Simple substances are required to be classified and labelled according to CLP as of December 1st, 2010. For preparations the final date is June 1st, 2015. The classification according to the present chemical and

preparations directive still has to be mentioned on the safety information sheet until June 1st 2015. During these transiti-onal periods both labelling systems will be used side by side, which doesn’t make things easier.

Reinout Duymelinck & Steven Bruyndonckx

22

Database FS Prevention ServiceThere are a lot of databases within Atlas Copco, and this number will probably still increase in the future… This is not unusual, websites are also added to the internet every day. What’s important is that you can see the wood for the trees and quickly find the information that you need. This is the purpose of the database FS prevention service that contains all the information concerning safety and well-being at work.

The database is made up of seven sections:1. General principles. Here you can find out why safety is so important. Next to a link to the website of the government, you will find an outline of all the duties that are expected from each of us.

2. The policy that Atlas Copco Airpower pursues and how this is organized. In this way you can appeal to the different preven-tion advisors for questions and remarks regarding wellbeing at work.

3. Basic principles of prevention. After outlining a policy, actions need to be taken. These actions emerge from a risk analysis and is included in a global prevention plan and yearly action plan. Safety starts with prevention, starting from the first working day. It includes the basic rules regarding safety and wellbeing at work, together with the procedures for welco-ming newcomers and job students.

5. Procedures and corresponding documents. Each procedure is briefly explained. If it applies to you, you can click to the original procedure with all the details. If you want to know what to do in case of an accident, or if you need safety glasses with correction glasses, then this section will show you the right way!

6. Environment. In this section waste management is explained and what you need to do in case of an environmental complaint or incident.

7. Directory containing presentations, photos, movies, … related to specific issues. If for example you want to know what the dangers of electricity are, or what happens if you drive a fork-lift truck into a rack, you should definitely take a look.

This database constitutes a huge source of information that will put you on your way.

Steven Bruyndonckx

Prevention in Database

4. Follow-up safety policy. How many accidents have happened, which items have been discussed on the committee for preven-tion and protection at work and on the safety & environment meetings, if there are any observations that came out of surveys,…

If you have any educational aids regarding safety and wellbeing that you would like to share with your colle-agues, please give it to the prevention service for publi-cation in the database.

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Stress, Violence, Pestering

Psychosocial StressUnfortunately stress, violence, pestering and unwanted sexual behavior at work are a reality. It is the duty of the employer to avoid psychosocial stress caused by work.

We are dealing here with every psychological stress that origi-nates in the performance of one’s work and the harmful conse-quences it can have for the physical or psychological health of the person. Possible consequences can be high blood pressure, breathing difficulty, headache, digestive disorders, depressions, lack of motivation, anxiety,…# Stress at work We speak of stress when an employee or a group of employees

has a negative experience as a result of which they are no longer capable of performing their tasks properly.

# Violence at work By this we understand every situation in which a person is

mentally or physically threatened or attacked. This can be expressed as behaviour of physical aggression (direct assault, but also as threats) or as verbal aggression (insults, peste-ring,…).

# Unwanted sexual behaviour at work - USBW Every type of unwanted verbal, non-verbal or physical beha-

viour of a sexual nature of which the guilty party knows or should know that it harms the dignity of the other person.

# Pestering at work Pestering includes every wrongful and repeated behaviour

during a certain period of time that leads, purposefully or not, to damages to the personality, dignity or physical or mental integrity of a person, to jeopardizing his/her employ-ment or to the creation of a threatening, hostile, insulting, humiliating or hurting environment. This can be in the form of words, threats, acts, gestures or one-sided writings.

Preventive approachIn 2003 the direction and social partners approved a policy document regarding psychosocial stress and included it in the working regulations. Every employee deserves the right to be treated with the outmost respect and regards. Stress, violence, pestering and unwanted sexual behaviour at work can not be allowed or tolerated. It is utterly forbidden for every employee to commit such acts. Prevention is central to this policy docu-ment. This can be achieved by creating a healthy working environment. For this, a positive attitude of all employees is important.

Help, where can I go to?An employee who feels he/she is a victim, can directly turn to the HR managers or a person in the hierarchical line. If an employee prefers not to do this, for whatever reason, he/she can call the psychosocial prevention advisor Suzy Brouckmans (Provikmo vzw 078/150 200) or Steven Bruyndonckx (Preven-tion advisor safety - 03/870 22 20) or Mariska Mathieu (Team leader Quality Air Solutions - 03/870 23 29).

In the resting room of the company doctor, employees can have some breathing-space and discretely get in touch with the trusted person and/or psychosocial prevention advisor. After reporting, the employee can decide if the trusted person or psychosocial prevention advisor should try to mediate. At this point it is still an informal complaint. If the mediation attempt fails, a formal complaint can be filed at the explicit request of the employee. The prevention advisor psychosocial aspects then investigates this complaint in an entirely impartial and independent manner. He/she informs the accused as soon as possible of the facts that are held against him, enabling him to formulate a response. If necessary several witnesses can be heard. As soon as the prevention advisor has finished this analysis, he then delivers a written advice to the employer containing an analysis of the facts, an evaluation and sugge-sted solutions and prevention measures for the company.

Employment protectionAn employee who decides to file a formal complaint, enjoys a specific employment protection as of that moment. The employee can however be fired due to reasons that are unre-lated to the complaint. If an employee wishes to file a complaint with reasons, he/she should always proceed with caution. He/she can not abuse the complaint procedure for example by filing a complaint only to obtain the protection or as a means to get back at a colleague. In this case he/she makes unlawful use of the complaint, which can lead to sanctions. If it concerns a criminal offence, the police will be notified. Slander and defa-mation will be treated in the same manner.

More info?# Working regulations – article 35# Get in touch with the trusted persons# Through the Industrial Medical Service - Provikmo# Through the Belgian Government: www.werk.belgie.be – Well-

being at work

Mariska Mathieu & Steven Bruyndonckx

24

Airpower: Alcohol- and Drug-free CompanyOn the First of April, 2009 a collective labour agreement was signed about the introduction of a preventive alcohol- and drug policy. In order to prevent and/or rectify performance problems on the work floor due to alcohol- and drug abuse timely, a preventive alcohol- and drug policy was drawn up which is a part of the common wellbeing policy.

It can not be denied that excessive consumption has an impact on the work floor. It can have a negative influence on the productivity and the quality of the work. This could also damage the image of the company.

In the middle of 2008 a study group was set up within Atlas Copco in order to further investigate this problem with the social partners.

Why a preventive alcohol- and drug policy?# To decrease safety risks.# Attention for stress. Reduced or problematic functioning and

absence can increase the workload for the colleagues and the organisation of work can be disturbed.

# Limit violence, pestering and undesired sexual behaviour. Alcohol- and drug abuse are a recognized and important cause of cross-border behavior.

# When spotted early, problems can be dealt with fairly quick, making it possible to restrict the damage alcohol causes for the employee, his/her family and the colleagues.

How are we going torealize this?Since the First of February, 2010 Atlas Copco is a alcohol- and drug free company. The canteens don’t sell alcohol anymore. Moreover no alcohol use is allowed during external courses, during the execution of an outside assignment and events which are organized during working hours.

The policyAtlas Copco expects from its own and external employees that they deal with alcohol in a sensible way during external activi-ties after working hours, such as:# Lunches with customers, suppliers & visitors;# Activities in the sports complex;# Activities and excursions organized by Atlas Copco;# Yearly celebration of the jubilees;# New Year receptions;# Study- and contact trip;# ….

Each employee is responsible for his own drinking behavior and he/she has to take the road in a safe way taking into account the statutory traffic rules. Moreover, Atlas Copco employees do not give or accept promotional gifts in the form of alcohol to or from any interested party.

Currently the study group is continuing to work out some actions and procedures are being drawn up.

Actions:# Becoming aware of the problem and making it debatable

within Atlas Copco;# Trying to recognize problem situations as soon as possible

with special attention for the determining role of the hierar-chic structure;

# Motivation into and realization of a behavioral change with regard to alcohol & drugs.

Procedures:# To be followed when a dysfunction at work is stated as a

result of possible alcohol- and drug abuse or when the rules are found to be broken;

# When an employee is found incapable to work, with regard to the transport home of the person concerned, his accompani-ment and the cost arrangement;

# Regarding the execution of alcohol and/or drug tests;# Elaboration of a care and guidance project for problem users

in consultation with the prevention and medical services.

As soon as these actions and procedures are completed every-body will receive more information about this.

Marianne Deckers

Drugs and Alcohol

25

A Task for Everyone!

Safety

Safety, Health and WellbeingA Task for Everyone!Safety, health and wellbeing in the company are not the responsibility of a single person. Everyone has a role to play and has to do their bit. A short outline:

The employerThe employer is in charge of the wellbeing policy in his company, he/she carries the final responsibility. In order to ensure safety, health and wellbeing in the company, the employer has to make sure that different tasks are performed, namely the setting up of a dynamic risk management system together with the hierarchic line, the employees and the internal service for prevention and protection. Concretely, this implies mapping the risks, formulating prevention measures and actually implemen-ting them. In addition, the employer has to inform and train the employees, establish an internal service for prevention and protection at work and consult the employees.

The hierarchic lineThe hierarchic line constitutes all persons that are authorized to give assignments. We think for example of foremen, coaches, department heads, managers,… They form a very important link in the elaboration, programming, implementation, evalu-ation and adjusting of the wellbeing policy. It is their task to suggest and formulate advices to the employer with regard to the improvement of the safety policy. Investigate accidents and incidents that have occurred on the work place and suggest measures to prevent this from happening in the future. Super-vise the use of industrial resources, collective and personal safety equipment,… Obtain the advice from the services for prevention and protection at work and verify if the appointed employees dispose of the necessary competence and informa-tion to perform their tasks properly.

The employeeIt is sometimes said that ‘the boss’ should make sure that every-thing runs safely. You must however never forget your respon-sibilities as an employee if you want to create a safe working environment. Your general duties are:# To perform your tasks in such a manner as not to endanger

yourself and others;# To use machines, tools and installations in a correct way;# To use safety devices properly and not switch them off;# To use personal protective equipment correctly wherever they

are required;# To use and store dangerous products properly;# To participate in the safety trainings that are organized;

# To comply with the safety instructions and regulations of your superior;

# To report dangers and formulate proposals yourself in order to avoid this in the future;

# To speak to colleagues, visitors, contractors when they act unsafely.

We all fit in one of these three categories, but do we have enough knowledge on wellbeing? In order to assist you on this matter, a few auxiliary services were created among which the Committee for Prevention and Protection at work (CPPW). A company that employs more than 50 employees is required to have a CCPW. This committee is made up of employee and employer representatives. The committee makes proposals and formulates advices regarding safety and health at work aimed at preventing industrial accidents and occupational diseases. The employer is required to consult the committee on the wellbeing policy. The committee performs a safety tour in all departments every year. Further the committee needs access to all reports, documents and advices with regard to the internal environmental and wellbeing policy. The CPPW meetings take place each last Tuesday of the month. The reports are published on the bulletin boards around the company.

The internal service for prevention and protection at work (ISPPW) has to assist the employer, the hierarchic line and the employees when implementing the wellbeing policy. The prevention advisor is at the head of the ISPPW. If the necessary expertise is not or insufficiently present in company, one should turn to the external service (ESPPW). In Airpower, Provikmo vzw assists us as ESPPW with regard to industrial medicine, ergonomics, industrial hygiene and psychosocial aspects.

Steven Bruyndonckx & Hans Thibau

26

Tittel Blok

GPP and YAP!?Everyone in the company is responsible for his/her own safety, but also for the safety of his/her colleagues. This is even laid down in royal decrees.

The royal decree of March 27th, 1998 concerning the wellbeing policy dictates that every company should have a dynamic risk management system. In order to pursue such a prevention policy you have two foundations at your disposal, namely the five-yearly global prevention plan (GPP) and the yearly action plan (YAP). Both plans should be submitted to the committee for prevention and protection at work (CPPW) at least two months before the beginning of the working year. In our company every division draws up a GPP and YAP.

Global prevention planIn order to draw up the GPP, the employer disposes of the risk analysis. With this the employer systematically inventories and evaluates all risks of specific work situations. Of course the employer can’t perform this on his own. He/she relies on the hierarchic line. Based on the formulated risk analysis, preven-tive measures have to be taken. This is possible at three levels: primary prevention or the prevention of risks; secondary prevention or preventing that damage occurs; tertiary preven-tion if one can only reduce the damages.Of course primary prevention is to be preferred.

In order to make a risk analysis, all legal areas concerning the wellbeing of the employees during the performance of their work have to be considered (Wellbeing Act of August 4th, 1996). A summary of these areas:

# Workplace safety;# Protection of the health of the employee at work;# Psychosocial stress caused by work;# Ergonomics;# Workplace hygiene; # Embellishment of the workplaces;# Measures regarding the environment, so far as they concern the workplace;# Pestering, violence and unwanted sexual behaviour at work.

With the result of this risk analysis a document is created, namely the global prevention plan. This document is drawn up for a period of five years. It contains an outline of all preven-tion activities that are to be developed and implemented.

The GPP is established through consultations between the hierarchic line and the prevention advisors of the preven-tion and protection at work services. They also mention which resources and persons are provided to implement these measures. The employer involves the hierarchic line and the prevention service when elaborating, programming, implemen-ting and evaluating the GPP.

This document should contain at least the following aspects:# The objectives to be achieved during the next five years;# The results of the risk inventory and risk evaluation;# The possible preventive measures, based upon the risk evalu-

ation for the next five years;# The risks that are to be addressed with priority;# The organizational, financial, and material resources that

need to be deployed in order to achieve the targets;# The appointment of the persons and their specific duties for

realizing the set objectives;# The way in which a prevention plan can be adapted to a

changed situation;# Fixing the criteria that will be used to evaluate the proposed

prevention policy;# With regard to the protection against violence, pestering and

unwanted sexual behaviour at work, the results of the risk analysis and specific preventive measures need to be added to the GPP.

The GPP is thus a long term planning to work actively on safety. But it is also required to achieve results on the short term. To this end a yearly action plan (YAP) is drawn up. This plan is based on the GPP. It states which preventive activities with regard to wellbeing at work will be elaborated in the next working year.

Reinout Duymelinck & Johan Van Der Eeken

Global Prevention

27

Working with Third PartiesSometimes the assistance of a contractor is called upon for the performance of specific activities. This external company brings own employees or subcontractors to our site to carry out the operations. Depending on their nature, the operations can be dangerous, which could lead to an elevated risk within Atlas Copco. When he/she carries out an assignment, the contractor may also be confronted with risks characteristic to our site. We think for example of automated installations, traffic of fork-lift trucks, noise,… In both cases these risks can lead to accidents, something we definitely want to avoid!

Legal frameworkOn the one hand the wellbeing act obliges the information exchange, the collaboration and coordination; on the other hand it provides for a system enabling the client to ensure that the contractor actually complies to the legislation. In this context Atlas Copco Airpower has also signed the "Safety and health charter clients and contractors" of Agoria.

Collaboration between client and contractorAs a client you are required to refuse unsafe contractors. That is why each contractor and subcontractor is obliged to disclose their accident figures of the last three years to us. When a contractor has been chosen, a first work consultation or pre job meeting has to be held. During this meeting the risks which are characteristic to our site and the risks that the contractor brings to our site are discussed. If for example a contractor brings a mildly flammable product to perform the activities, it is logical that we as a company want to be informed of this risk. Next the preventive measures have to be discussed well in advance. Think for example of restricting passageways, shut-ting down certain installations, applying for a fire licence,… During the execution of the activities, it is the task of the client to supervise that the employees and possible subcon-tractors of the contractor meet their obligations with regard to wellbeing. When proof of default, the client should take the initiative himself and charge possible resulting costs to the contractor.

Admitting (sub)contractors to our siteWhat is cited above is not new, it was not always applied though. In order to comply to the legal requirements in the future, the assistance of the security service is called upon.

Every job that is performed by a contractor or subcontractor, regardless if it takes place during the week or in the weekend, is required to be recorded in the "Contractor Planning" database. This registration will contain a link to the pre job meeting. If the pre job meeting didn’t take place, no job can be planned. Security will strictly supervise that only those people who are registered in the "Contractor Planning database", are admitted. A company can only be registered and saved in this database if the safety documents are okay and the pre job meeting is filled out.

When entering the company a badge mentioning "contractor" is issued. The contactor is to wear this badge in a visible way during his stay at our site and has to return it when leaving the company. (positive identification of all persons)Currently everything is being tested extensively with a selected number of project leaders and contractors. The introduction in Airpower is planned for the second quarter of 2010. Info sessions will be organized in advance to which all concerned parties will be invited.

Steven Bruyndonckx & Steve Insleghers

Employees (sub)contractor

EmployeeAtlas Copco Airpower

Info on risks and preventive measuresInitiative for coordination and collaboration

Info on risksSupport to coordination and collaboration

Supervision that training and instructions were givenChecking that obligations are observed

Info on operations

ContractorClient

Working with Contractors

InformationTraining

Instructions

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Job Students

You are young and you want something… earn pocket money to pay for an important purchase or to go on holiday with some friends. Every year these motives incite students to a holiday job at Atlas Copco Airpower. But do we also take into account their safety and health, or simply their future?

What is it all about?If you work there is a chance that something goes wrong. If you take the European statistics it is shown that working youngsters are twice as likely to encounter an industrial acci-dent compared to experienced employees. A job student misses after all the experience to cope well and alertly with risks at work. Accidents can even happen on the first workday with possible severe consequences for the rest of their life. It’s about time to think about safety and health!

A well informed job student…… is worth two. That is why every job student must participate at one of the safety presentations that are organized in June. When you go snowboarding, rock climbing, bungee jumping, … there are some rules that guarantee that it stays fun and that you don’t end up in a hospital bed with broken bones. Also at Atlas Copco some rules are applied to avoid that the first job becomes the last. These rules were drawn up in accordance with the legal obligations of the ARAB (general regulations for protection at work) and the codex about the wellbeing at work. So those who thought that there was only a student codex (a student songbook) were wrong.

Working safely yourself is important, but preventing that others are endangered is just as important. During the safety presen-tation attention is therefore given to how to handle dangerous products correctly, which traffic rules apply, which personal protection equipment must be worn, …

Stupid questions…… don’t exist. That is why all students are advised to ask ques-tions if they don’t know or understand something or when it all goes a little bit too fast. Each student gets a godfather or a godmother on the first workday. Those godfathers and godmo-thers know their work situation perfectly and they will guide and adjust their godchild if necessary. In addition each student receives an orange T-shirt, so that they easily attract attention and that they can be helped spontaneously when you see that they are having a problem.

Get to work!Finally some SUR-5-AL tips are given which will help the students to start and finish safely: # only carry out tasks for which you received clear information

and training; # work instructions aren’t just given for no reason, follow them

accurately;# stay within your work environment, there can be unknown

risks in other zones;# always use your protection equipment: your eyes, ears, hands

and feet will be grateful to you;# do not ignore first health signals: continuous headache,

backache, dizziness, skin- or eye irritation, … are not normal. Report this immediately to the direct supervisor;

# each safety and health danger must immediately be reported to the direct supervisor.

Steven Bruyndonckx

Also Job Students must get to Work Safely!

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Tittel Blok

ICE - a Golden Tip in case of EmergencyIn case of an accident or another emergency it is often diffi-cult for the emergency and security services to find out which family member or acquaintance of the victim they should contact. In the year 2010 almost everybody has a GSM, but which programmed number should they dial?

In order to help the emergency workers, there is a simple and convenient solution that everyone can apply. Program an ICE number (ICE stands for ‘In Case of Emergency’) in your mobile phone! This way the emergency workers know immediately who they should contact in case of emergency and valuable minutes can be saved. Moreover they warn the person you want to be warned. In the meantime the ICE number has been adopted internationally. So this ICE number also functions abroad in cases of emergency!

How do you program an ICE-number?Make a contact with the name ICE in the telephone book of your GSM. Under this name you file the telephone number of your “emergency person”. Do not forget to enter the country code before the number (e.g. +32 for Belgium). In that way your ICE-contact can also be reached from abroad. If you want that a number of persons are contacted you can also make several ICE numbers (e.g. ICE1, ICE2, etc.). It is however important that you inform these persons that they are your contact in case of emergency.

Probably your ICE contacts can be found under another name in your contact list (e.g. home or mother). If one of these persons call you, your GSM does not know anymore which name it should reproduce. In order to avoid that you see ICE1 or ICE2, you can add an asterisk to the ICE number (e.g. +32 456 123456*). This way always the name of the person who calls you will appear and not ICE1, ICE2, …

Help the emergency services!ICE is simple to execute, it doesn’t cost anything and it can make a difference when things have to go fast. Please realize that the ICE number doesn’t guarantee that the right person will be contacted. You could lose your GSM in an accident or it can be locked because of a code and then the ICE number doesn’t help. You can therefore also put an ICE card with your ICE contacts in your wallet or in your car. Moreover it is a good idea to keep a card with your blood type together with your identity card.

I N CASE of E MERGENCY

My Name

Name of Contact Person

Phone Number Contact Person

My address

My Blood Type Always keep this card with your Identity Card

If you see somebody in a case of emergency, first take the necessary measures to help that person and warn the emer-gency services. They may contact the ICE person. Never call the ICE number yourself from someone else’s GSM!

For more info or to make an ICE card, please go to: www.bivv.be

Source: BIVVSteven Bruyndonckx

In case of Emergency

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Ergonomics

Working with DisplayScreen EquipmentSeveral studies have shown that working with display screen equipment is not harmful in itself. It can however lead to eye fatigue or posture related problems. A few tips and advices to perform your work in a comfortable manner:

Sitting postureYou are seated comfortably on a chair, at the right height and with good back supportThe chair height matches the length of the lower legs. The back of the chair is adjusted in such a way as to give good support to the lower back. The armrests enable the elbows to be at a 90° angle.

You can place the monitor directly in front of youWhen you don’t sit directly in front of the screen you will get neck problems sooner or later due to asymmetrical load.

You can rest your forearms on the armrests of your chair or deskWhen you can support your arms, there is a lot less load on the shoulder muscles. Provide enough space and adjust the armrest of the chair correctly.

Work surface heightThe height of the desk is fitted to your buildThe ideal height for a display desk is one that enables to work with the elbows in a 90° angle. A desk with adjustable height would be ideal. If you don’t have one and the desk is too high, you can raise the chair. You ‘d better use a footrest to compen-sate this difference in height. If the table is too low, you could raise it by placing blocks under the legs of the desk.

Place before the screenThe upper menu bar is at eye level. In order to relax the neck muscles it is necessary to come back regularly to a neutral posi-tion in which you look straight ahead. Research has shown that this happens when the menu bar is at eye level.

The distance between your eyes and the displayFor small displays the minimal distance is 50 cm, for larger displays this is 75 cm. Often a little creativity is required to achieve this distance on traditional office desks.

Mouse and keyboardYou have enough space to use the computer mouse. The computer mouse is best placed next to the keyboard. If you use it, try and do it in a relax manner, there is no point in squeezing the mouse. Using the mouse with an outstretched arm increases the load on the muscle in the forearm and should

thus be avoided. Try not to overstretch the wrists when using the keyboard. Regularly remove your hands form the keyboard, enabling your forearm muscles to relax.

Working environmentYou don’t see reflections of windows and office lighting in your displayReflections affect the picture quality. Make sure there are no reflections in your display by turning away from the windows. Turn your display in such a way that the direction of view is parallel to the window. Reflections of fittings can often be avoided by positioning the display vertically.

Your display is not placed in the direction of the windowWhen your display is placed in the direction of a window, you get a lot of backlighting which causes eye fatigue. The same applies to insufficiently masked light sources, they should not be within the field of vision.

MovementYou have the opportunity to regularly change your posture or moveThe best way to avoid physical problems is movement, both at the office as outside. Get up regularly to perform different tasks. Try to do sports for an hour at least once a week to really loosen the muscles.

Source: © IKMO 2000

50/75cm

90°

min 90°

31

Safety F!RST

Welcome atAtlas Copco Airpower

Safety guidelines

Please follow these safety guidelines during your visit to our company. 1. Wear your visitors badge visibly at all times.2. Access to our premises is prohibited if not accompanied by an Atlas Copco employee.3. Always use the indicated footpath, do not cross into work areas.4. In case of an evacuation: proceed with your guide to the nearest evacuation point, stay together and follow up on instructions.

Respect all local safety pictograms.

Evacuation alarm: continuous signalEmergency numbers:- in case of fi re: dial +32 (3) 870 22 22- in case of an accident: dial +32 (3) 870 21 05

Smoking is strictly prohibited

Taking pictures is prohibited

Stay with your Atlas Copco guide

lasVeiligheidsfiche_10x21cm.indd 2 26-05-2010 12:42:30

Since a few weeks, all our visitors get this new flyer with safety regulations when they pay a visit to our plant. The gate keepers and receptionists of the C7 building have to make sure that every visitor has received this flyer with important informa-tion. Also in the main building, at the entrance, flyers are avai-lable.

The flyer is printed on both sides which mean it has a Dutch and an English side, to make sure that everyone understands the guidelines.

Indeed, everyone is responsible for his/her own safety and the safety of others!

Safety Flyer for Visitors

On a weekly basis customers request proofs that the German Customer Center for Compressor Technique has implemented an occupational safety system. Or clients ask to acknowledge their safety instructions or to confirm that the relevant Atlas Copco employees had the necessary safety training in the respective area of activity. This shows that occupational health and safety is of increasing importance and has a high significance. There-fore Atlas Copco dedicates time and efforts into this matter and pursues the targets consequently.

Since 2007 a comprehensive occupational management system has been installed for the whole German organization. In 2009 this system has been extended to comply to the requirements of SCC (VCA) for the business line Specialty Rental and GREEN-FIELD. The system is in accordance with the international code OHSAS 18001:2007. Major components include: policy for occu-pational safety, organization of implementation and processes, targets & actions, surveillance and continuous improvement by monitoring, audits and management evaluations. All-embra-cing internal rules substantiate the implementation of single elements of occupational safety management. With regards to this the engagement of all employees – especially the supervi-sors – is highly appreciated. A personal safety oriented mind-set influences the corporate success and the preservation of the employees’ health considerably. Managers serve as role models and motivate employees to adhere to safe behavior and object to non-safe behavior without compromising. All employees are asked to detect gaps in the system and to submit proposals for the implementation of a safe work place or process.

Training on occupational health and safety is an inherent part of the adjustment to the job for new employees and is inte-grated in regular trainings, such as safety briefings. Target is to highlight the employees’ responsibilities and tasks and to give them guidance how to implement safe procedures. In the course of these trainings, they learn how to act safely and how they, themselves can influence their physical intactness and health.

Occupations safety is also part of the individual responsibility of each employee. By acting cautious, far-seeing and safety aware you can avoid hazards to your health. Please report defi-ciencies to the manager in charge immediately. All employees are requested to apply to the respective laws and the internal regulations at all times.

Olaf TheurichAtlas Copco Germany

Safety F!RST, Everywhere in the World

How is occupational health and safety handled in a Customer Center and what are its major requirements? An example from the German Atlas Copco Kompressoren und Druckluft-technik GmbH (ADEL).

Do you have reactions, suggestions or remarks on this issue of innovationsTM ? Let us know by sending an e-mail to innovaties@be.atlascopco.comRead innovationsTM also online!www.responsup.be/atlascopcoNL/SafetyFirstwww.responsup.be/atlascopcoENG/SafetyFirst

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