Providing a safe and healthy workplace is not just our responsibility, it is a business imperative. This involves everything from maintaining high safety standards in our factories to promoting healthy living among office-based Associates. All our sites are designed and operated to create a safe and positive working environment.
We strive to keep an incident-free workplace and are making good progress. To help us, we expect all our operations to reach the highest standards in our Safety, Environmental Affairs and Security (SES) management system and to engage every Associate in the process.
Managing Occupational Safety and Health
Mars manufacturing sites use sophisticated engineering, manufacturing and logistics techniques, and many Associates use complex machinery and materials every day. Every Associate, trade contractor and temporary worker is responsible for doing his or her job safely, and Mars is responsible for providing appropriate workplaces, equipment and training.
We provide additional training for Associates with jobs requiring special skills. Courses include manual handling, working with machinery, energy and hazardous materials, and emergency preparedness. We regularly conduct skills surveys to ensure Associates feel able to carry out their work safely.
We raise awareness of the importance of safe behavior using a range of tactics such as clear signage and near-miss reporting, as well as more creative communications campaigns and safety plans. These programs are developed locally to reflect local needs. Programs like the Wrigley CARES initiative encourage Associates to take responsibility for their own safety, the safety of fellow Associates and to point out unsafe situations in a sensitive way.
A unique component of our approach is that our occupational health teams work closely with our safety teams to prevent injuries. Sites are routinely visited by a nurse, and larger manufacturing facilities have health centers on site. All Associates at our manufacturing facilities have their general health monitored throughout their careers and have specific monitoring for hearing loss and other risks associated with manufacturing, to prevent health problems or diagnose and treat them as soon as possible.
We assess site performance through our Safety Environment Affairs and Security (SES) management system, which meets recognized international standards such as the Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Services 18000 (OHSAS) series. It reviews each site’s systematic approach to managing health and safety processes, such as training, risk management, Associate engagement levels and incident rates. Seven of our sites have achieved OHSAS 18001 certification. We expect two more to be certified in 2012 and a further four by 2015.
Health and safety performance
It is our long-term goal to be an incident-free workplace. To improve our performance we are making a continued effort to reinforce safety as a responsibility that all Associates share, and to further strengthen our safety-management practices.
In 2012, we have further improved the consistency of safety training and communications across our sites and have verified the effectiveness of our training through behavioral observations and skill surveys. We are enhancing our management system with even higher standards and improved auditing.
Wellness
The long-term wellness of Associates is important to us. We provide tools and resources to help improve wellness and maintain a positive work-life balance. All Associates are encouraged to make the most of these opportunities.
Our approach to wellness differs from country to country depending on cultural requirements and risks. In 2012 we improved communication and connections between our key wellbeing leads across the globe to increase collaboration and to share best practice and ideas.
Some activities from 2011 are listed below.
Asia, India and Middle East
We introduced a full annual medical checkup and gave each Associate a full health report. Our Wellness Week included free yoga, tai chi and aerobics sessions, free massages, and a presentation on managing stress.
Australia
In Australia we began planning the launch of the Mars Chocolate “Believe” program, following its success at Mars Food and Wrigley Australia. The program has three tiers that Associates can engage with depending on their needs. Level 1 is an interactive online tool that provides Associates with a 52 week personal fitness and lifestyle improvement program, Level 2 is a 40 minute, one-on-one health and fitness assessment and Level 3 provides additional personal coaching and support for people with complex health risks. The program allows us to better understand Associates health needs and provide targeted support where it will have the greatest impact.
Europe
Mars sites in the U.K. run annual wellness weeks where we carry out cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes checks. In addition, we run Focus health weeks on common illnesses and lifestyle factors. In 2011, these included men’s and women’s health weeks, salt awareness and bike4life weeks. We had an inter-Mars triathlon in June 2011, with teams from every site in the U.K. Partners and children also participated in the triathlon. In The Netherlands, we focus on the relationship between Associate wellbeing and their performance at work, offering web-based surveys that lead to appropriate support, such as coaching, development or mobility steps and lifestyle interventions. In Germany, our Clever Naschen (Smart Snacking) initiative offers nutritional advice, encourages Associates to cycle to work, and labels healthier options in the onsite canteen.
Associates participated in a wide range of wellness activities in Central Europe during 2011. Over half took part in a health risk assessment, 110 had a personal nutrition consultation and over 3,300 attended family events. About a third of Associates participated in the Mars’ Lympics, an annual multi-sport team competition.
North America
In 2011, we focused on engaging and motivating North American Associates to improve their health, particularly through increased communication with senior leaders and line managers. We began to assess sites on the access they provide to physical activity, nutrition advice, help to stop smoking and stress management. Our onsite wellness program, HealthTracks, ran competitions, challenges and educational programs to inspire Associates. Activities focused on mental health, stress management and back health. Associates also had access to preventative care examinations, a health risk assessment, health coaches, and disease management experts through the Mars medical plan.
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