RESULTS IN DENMARK IN 1997 Occupational injuries
Occupational injuries can occur for a number of different reasons and have both major and minor consequences. The cases registered in our statistics are those resulting in at least one day off work. In 1997, 45% of the total number of injuries were due to falls, sprains or blows. 35% were due to the incorrect use of tools and machinery, while 20% were caused by burns, corrosive chemicals or toxic substances. 1995-97 target: A further 15% reduction in the frequency of occupational injuries in Denmark over a three-year period against the 1994 baseline. The target was reached in 1997. The number of occupational injuries in Denmark decreased from 132 in 1994 to 124 in 1997 while the number of employees increased by 10% over the same period. The frequency of occupational injuries per million working hours was 10.8 in 1994 and 1995, 11.3 in 1996 and 9.2 in 1997. The main reason for the significant reduction in 1997 compared to 1996 is believed to be the greater focus on health and safety during the year and the greater responsibility given to line management. Occupational diseases
Occupational diseases are disorders caused by working conditions. At Novo Nordisk, the three main types of occupational disease are allergies, dysfunctions caused by monotonous, repetitive work and eczema. 1997 target: A decrease in the total incidence of occupational diseases. This target has been achieved. The total number of cases decreased from 43 in 1996 to 30 in 1997. Over the same two years, the incidence of occupational diseases has decreased from 3.2 to 2.2 cases per million working hours. Allergy to enzymes
Since enzymes are proteins they can be the cause of allergic reactions in some people, just as proteins in flour, pollen and animal hair. Enzymes in products such as detergents and foodstuffs never give rise to such problems. Each year at Novo Nordisk a small number of cases of enzyme allergy are found among employees handling enzymes. We have therefore established an allergy monitoring programme designed to prevent enzyme allergies. In 1997 there were nine cases of enzyme allergy, four in production and five in the laboratory area. Since most cases of enzyme allergy in recent years have been found in the laboratory area the working environment here has received greater attention. In coming years we will investigate exposure to enzymes systematically in both production and the laboratories. Allergy to animals used in experiments
Three cases of allergy to animals used in experiments were recorded in 1997. In recent years a declining number of cases of allergy to animal hair have been found among our employees. In order to maintain this positive trend, focus on the working environment in terms of both exposure and the attitudes and behaviour of management and staff will be continued. Monotonous, repetitive work (MRW)
MRW is physical work with little variation where the same movements are repeated over a long period. As a result, there is a risk of damage to health. 1996-97 target: Undertake an investigation of monotonous, repetitive work at Novo Nordisk in Denmark before mid-1997. A survey to determine how many departments find it relevant and necessary to work with MRW as a H&S issue has been carried out. The investigation came to the conclusion that further focus and initiatives related to MRW are necessary in several areas at Novo Nordisk. Plans to reduce health risks will be prepared and implemented in the relevant departments as part of a joint effort between management, H&S representatives and the H&S department. The future activities in this focus area will depend on the extent of the problems in the workplace and the priority given to these activities by individual departments. H&S profiles, including specific guidelines, will be prepared and in 1998 there will be greater focus on ergonomics in the workplace. Tooth enamel survey
In 1993, an independent survey was initiated to investigate the incidence of tooth enamel erosion among Novo Nordisk employees. A dispute arose in 1997 with the external partners for the survey about Novo Nordisk's interpretation of the results. The case was brought before an arbitration committee of the Danish Research Council.
In February 1998 the committee upheld Novo Nordisk's conclusion from the survey that there is no proven correlation between workplace exposure and the level of tooth enamel erosion among Novo Nordisk employees. New health and safety targets
Positive progress has been made in the field of health and safety in 1997. In 1998, we will con-solidate the work begun in 1997 and the method of working with H&S profiles will continue in order to give management the tools to implement safety programmes for their particular area of responsibility. New 1998 target: Maintain the positive progress made in 1997 and ensure that there is no increase in the number of occupational injuries and diseases. Rehabilitation
Every year about one in every 100 employees at Novo Nordisk in Denmark is unable to maintain his or her present job due to health impairments. During the last five years we have had 566 rehabilitation cases. It is Novo Nordisk's policy that these people should, if possible, stay as employees of Novo Nordisk. Cases are normally resolved by keeping the person in the same job (approx. 45%), retraining (approx. 5%) or, if an employee cannot stay in his or her current job, by early retirement (approx. 43%). Under Novo Nordisk's policy a person entitled to rehabilitation should be given first priority before an outside applicant for all new jobs advertised by the company. Any necessary retraining will furthermore be paid for by the company. In 1997, 93 new rehabilitation cases were reported. As in previous years, musculo-skeletal disorders such as neck, shoulder and back problems accounted for the majority of cases requiring rehabilitation. 60% of the cases reported in 1997 have now been concluded and the tendency is that fewer people are obliged to apply for early retirement and more are able to maintain their current employment or retrain for another job within the organization. Rehabilitation case story Experience in Franklinton
Similar occupational problems have been observed at our enzyme plant in Franklinton, North Carolina, USA. 370 people work here and two cases of enzyme allergies were recorded in 1997. As in Denmark, employees exposed to enzymes are monitored regularly to see whether they have become sensitized to enzymes, the stage before they start to show allergic symptoms. A blood test is taken every 12 months. If the employee has grown sensitive to one of the enzymes during that time, he or she will be closely monitored with allergy tests at more frequent intervals. The employee will also be advised by an allergist who looks at his or her allergy history and makes recommendations. The person will only be transferred to another job in the organization as a last resort or at his or her own request. |
