Integrating H&S into our daily work
In order to ensure that H&S issues become an integral part of our daily work, with the permission of the Directorate of the Danish Working Environment Service our H&S organization in Denmark was reorganized in 1997. Line management holds the ultimate responsibility for a safe working environment. However, ambitious targets cannot be met without the involvement of all employees. 230 elected H&S representatives are devoting up to 20% of their working time to H&S work and five H&S representatives have been elected to Novo Nordisk's H&S Committee, which has the overall responsibility for H&S policies and guidelines, and for new targets for Novo Nordisk.

H&S profiles
So as to be able to focus, prioritize and set targets for the most significant problems, annual H&S profiles are prepared for all areas by the Novo Nordisk Occupational Health Service. In 1998 the process has resulted in H&S targets being set at top management level.

Within the production and laboratory areas, the focus has been on the impact of chemical compounds and ergonomically-sound practices. In the administrative areas, the focus is on ergonomically-sound practices, indoor climate issues and improvement of the psycho-social working environment.

Education and training
The increased focus on H&S issues at Novo Nordisk has resulted in an expansion of our education and training activities in 1998.

Occupational injuries
Occupational injuries most frequently occur as a consequence of incorrect use of tools, incorrect movements, and more rarely as a result of using hazardous substances and materials. In the statistics below, the number of accidents is based on injury causing at least one day's absence from work.

1998 target: Maintain the positive progress made in 1997 and ensure that there is no increase in the frequency of occupational injuries.

From 1994-97, the frequency of occupational injuries at Novo Nordisk in Denmark was reduced by 15%. It has been our aim to maintain the positive progress. Although performance in various areas with reductions of up to 25% has been good, the target was not achieved in 1998. The absolute number of injuries rose from 124 in 1997 to 144 in 1998, and the frequency level rose from 9.2 in 1997 to 10.5 in 1998. The most significant increase in occupational injuries occurred among cleaning staff, and in service workshops and canteens.

New 1999 target: Ensure a decrease in the frequency of occupational injuries to 10.0 or less.

Occupational diseases
At Novo Nordisk, the key categories of occupational disease are enzyme allergy, allergy to animals used in experiments (approx. 20%), eczema (approx. 25%), and disorders of the musculo/skeletal system (approx. 50%) as a consequence of monotonous, repetitive work (MRW). In future, MRW will receive more focus in the areas concerned.

1998 target: Maintain the positive progress made in 1997 and ensure that there is no increase in the frequency of occupational diseases.

The target has not been achieved as the total number of reported cases of occupational disease in Denmark increased from 30 in 1997 to 32 in 1998 resulting in an increase in the frequency of occupational diseases from 2.2 to 2.3.

New 1999 target: Ensure a decrease in the frequency of occupational diseases to 2.0 or less.

Monitoring enzyme allergy
Enzymes are proteins and can as such cause allergic reactions in some people, just like proteins in flour, pollen and animal hair. Allergy to enzymes is solely an occupational hazard and effects on end-consumers using products containing enzymes have not been reported during the last 25 years.

Each year a small number of our employees working with enzymes develop allergic reactions. Enzyme allergy is a major challenge for primary preventive care and we have established a monitoring programme to ensure that any developing allergy is discovered as early as possible, before serious chronic symptoms arise.

In 1998, two cases of enzyme allergy were discovered, one in the laboratory area and one in production. Both have been reported as suspected occupational injuries. In both cases the employee concerned has been transferred to another department. Furthermore, three employees were found to have enzyme antibodies in their blood without the accompanying allergy symptoms. These employees are being kept under observation.

After 10-15 reported enzyme allergy cases annually for a number of years, it is pleasing to note so few cases in 1998. However, the trend must be monitored for several years before it can be concluded that the reduced incidence of enzyme allergy is permanent and the result of improved health and safety at work.

In 1998, there has been focus on exposure to enzymes in both laboratories and production on the basis of health and safety profiles, and potential risk areas have been identified. An enzyme action plan has been developed for 1999-2000 covering attitudes, technical development and improved measurement methods. In addition to the basic introduction to working environment issues, a new mandatory course on the correct handling of enzymes has been introduced for all new employees working in production areas.

Allergy monitoring outside Denmark
Allergy monitoring programmes have been introduced for all enzyme production sites worldwide. However, the programmes are not yet standardized, so the target for 1999 is to develop uniform monitoring programmes based on the same principles for screening and medical evaluation.