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Safety & Health Policy

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) supplies high quality goods and services to meet the daily needs of consumers and customers. In doing so, the Company is committed to exhibit the highest standards of corporate behaviour towards its consumers, employees, the societies, and the environment in which we operate.

Towards this, the Company recognises its responsibility to ensure safety and protection of health of its employees, contractors, and visitors in all its operating sites, which include manufacturing, sales and distribution, research laboratories and offices during work- and work-related travel.

This Policy document defines the vision, principles, aim, required actions and scope of the policy application as well as the responsibility for execution.

Our Vision

Our vision is to be an injury free organisation.

Our Mission

We will bring safety on top of mind for all employees and will integrate it with all business processes. We will realise our Vision through an Integrated Safety Management approach, which focuses on People, Processes, Systems, Technology and Facilities, supported by demonstrated leadership and employee commitment at all levels as the prime drivers for ensuring a safe and healthy work environment.

Safety Principles

HUL’s Occupational Safety and Health Policy is based on and supported by the following eight Principles. These Principles have the same status as the Company’s Code of Business Principles:

  • All injuries and occupational illnesses are preventable.
  • All operational exposures can be safeguarded.
  • Safety evaluation of all business processes is vital.
  • Working safely is a condition of employment.
  • Training all employees to work safely is essential.
  • Management audits are a must.
  • Employee involvement is essential.
  • All deficiencies must be reported and corrected promptly.

Safety and Health Policy

Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) recognizes people as its most important asset and is committed to a safe and healthy work environment impacting those working on, visiting, or living near our operations. Management at all levels will be responsible and will be held accountable for the occupational safety and health performance of the Company. At the same time it is the duty of every employee to work in a safe manner so as not to endanger himself / herself or his/her colleagues at work and during travel. This is a condition of employment.

HUL is committed to make, handle, use, transport, sell or dispose off products, in a safe and environmentally sound manner. HUL aims to prevent occupational injuries and ill health through the following actions:

  • Integrate safety into all business processes. Proactively evaluate risk of occupational injury / illness, property damage, business interruption & loss and implement actions to mitigate the risk.
  • Design, adapt, operate, and maintain technology, plants, and other facilities within the designated safety criteria throughout their working life.
  • Develop, introduce, and maintain safety and health management systems across the Company to meet the standards as well as statutory requirements for safety and health. Verify compliance with these standards through regular auditing.
  • Set continual improvement objectives and targets and review these periodically to ensure that these are being met at the individual unit and corporate levels.
  • Inculcate safety as a personal value through behavioural intervention at all levels, recognition of positive behaviour and continuous correction of unsafe behaviour.
  • Involve all employees in the implementation of this Policy and provide appropriate training.
  • Provide for appropriate dissemination of information on safety and health at work and travel through suitable communication networks both within HUL and among stakeholders.
  • Implement Mandatory Minimum Standards (MMS) at Third Party co-packers and dedicated warehouses.
  • Report mandatory Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) via Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) reporting system.
  • Report all incidents, accidents, and near misses in line with reporting requirements, including thorough investigation, follow-up and communication of lessons learned.
  • Maintain a comprehensive On-Site Emergency Plan and related facilities to handle emergencies.
  • Ensure that employees and contractors know what to do if an emergency occurs at our sites, on the road or at a location they are visiting.

Scope of Application

This section defines the scope of application of this Policy.

Where does this policy apply?

  • All owned/leased sites by HUL and its subsidiaries – Manufacturing, Research/Innovation, Office, Depots, Warehouses.
  • In-house purchased services i.e., canteen, travel desk, IT implementation etc.
  • Sites of associates with HUL holding > 24% carrying out operations of making, handling, using, transporting, selling, or disposing off our products.

Who does the policy apply to?

  • All employees at business anywhere.
  • Contractors and visitors while at our owned and leased sites.

When does it apply?

  • At work (our employees, contractors, and visitors).
  • Travel between home and work of our employees.
  • Business related travel within the country.
  • All Company organised business events i.e., training programmes, conferences, business-related get-togethers, annual sports etc.

Implementation Responsibility

HUL Management at all levels is responsible for Policy implementation. Every site shall prepare a responsibility matrix with respect to this Policy. Such SHE responsibilities shall form an integral part of overall job responsibilities of all employees.

All Unilever and HUL Standards, Rules and Procedures on Occupational Safety and Health, including those that may be specific to a site are integral to this Policy and its implementation. All employees are required to ensure strict adherence.

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