Fewer accidents at work

Occupational safety has improved at VR Group and the number of accidents at work has fallen.

• In 2008 there were no fatal accidents at work.

• The number of serious accidents at work declined 10% from the previous year. VR’s goal is for no such accidents to occur at all.

• The VR Group’s accident frequency rate – i.e. the number of accidents at work per million working hours – was 49 in 2008, compared to 51 in the previous year.

• Nearly one-half of accidents at work were minor – i.e. they caused a maximum of three compensable days. The number of serious accidents at work – i.e. necessitating sick leave of more than 30 days – was 93. The most serious accidents occurred during wagon shunting.

• The most common reasons for accidents at work are slipping and falling, a sudden physical load, or loss of control of a tool or machine.

• Altogether 977 hazard reports were submitted. The most common matters reported concerned working conditions, actions contravening instructions and incorrect working methods.

• VR Group’s costs incurred by accidents have decreased by some 56% since 2005.