Environmental protection and occupational health
Environmental protection in the Group
We take responsibility for protecting our environment and our climate. Our production facilities therefore use modern and energy-efficient plant technology that also complies with very high environmental standards. In this way, we conserve natural resources and aim to maintain a clean environment for future generations. We have set targets in environmental protection, defined corresponding KPIs, and established measures to achieve the targets across the Group. The effectiveness of these targets and measures is reviewed continuously.
Capital expenditure for environmental protection in copper production and processing
in € million as at December 31 of each calendar year
The continuous improvement of water pollution control, soil conservation, climate protection, and emission prevention is key to achieving sustainable environmental protection. For this reason, Aurubis has invested more than € 600 million in environmental protection measures in the Group since 2000.
Occupational health and safety in the Group
Group Health and Safety is responsible for creating the technical, organizational, and personal conditions in the company to prevent work-related accidents, injuries, and illnesses.
The acronym LTIFR (lost time injury frequency rate) indicates the accident rate in the company. This KPI describes the number of work-related accidents with at least one lost shift per one million hours worked (related to Aurubis employees).
After declining for several years, the accident frequency figure rose again in fiscal years 2016/17 and 2017/18. LTIFR decreased to 5.8 in fiscal year 2018/19 (previous year: 6.1). In absolute terms, this equated to 59 (previous year: 60).
A new communication concept, 10forZero, will support the company in achieving its long-term objective, referred to as Vision Zero, meaning zero accidents, injuries, and illnesses. This concept combines new communication tools together with new training units to implement the 10 Golden Rules of occupational health and safety.
Additional goals will be set to achieve our vision as well, including the development of occupational health and safety management systems pursuant to ISO 45001, the introduction of new, optimized procedures for recording and handling near-misses, and the implementation of health and safety (H&S) audits and cross-site checks.
Furthermore, efforts will be made to optimize risk assessments, near-miss reports, and Group-wide reporting through IT systems.