Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Policy of the Yokowo Group

The Yokowo Group (Yokowo Co., Ltd. and its group companies in Japan and overseas, the "Group") positions the health and safety of its employees (the "Employees"), which are important assets of the Group, as well as stakeholders in the Group's activities (the "Stakeholders"), such as cooperating firms and visitors to the premises, as the top priority issue of its management and will pursue a workplace where Employees and Stakeholders are able to work without undue concern and will strive to promote their mental and physical health by always securing their safety.

1. The Group shall give first priority to the health and safety of Employees and Stakeholders and engage in ongoing activities by complying with laws and other requirements related to occupational health and safety.
2. The Group shall build, maintain and make continuous improvements of an occupational health and safety management system.
3. The Group shall identify the sources of hazards in the workplace, set targets based on assessments of OH&S risks and opportunities, make improvements to OH&S, mitigate risks and enhance activities, and make improvements to its management system.
4. The Group shall strive to increase the understanding and awareness of Employees about occupational health and safety by providing the appropriate training to create a healthy and safe workplace environment.
5. The Group shall engage in continuous improvement activities to achieve the objectives by documenting the OH&S Policy as well as making it known to all Employees and publishing it to Stakeholders.
6. The Group shall strive to improve our OH&S performance by perticapation and consultation with our Employees.
7. The Group shall promote fire and disaster prevention activities and maintain a safe workplace to protect the lives of those in the workplace as a top priority.

June 13, 2024
Takayuki Tokuma,
Representative Director, President and Executive Officer
Yokowo Co., Ltd.

Occupational Health and Safety Management Framework

Under the Sustainability Committee structure, we hold monthly Safety and Health Committee meetings attended by top management, departmental safety and health managers and promoters, occupational physicians, and labor representatives.

The committee deliberates on matters such as policy formulation, progress monitoring of plans, and health promotion. Initiatives and KPI progress related to occupational health and safety are reviewed by the Sustainability Committee and reported to the Board of Directors to further strengthen measures that contribute to workplace safety.

Major Initiatives

Our manufacturing processes involve machinery and chemical substances, which pose risks of physical impact, accidents, and disasters. We recognize that labor accidents can lead to work loss, increased workload for related workplaces, and potential secondary accidents due to physical and mental strain.

We believe that implementing risk-reduction measures through our Occupational Health and Safety Management System is essential to providing a safe working environment.

Additionally, as most employees at the Tomioka Plant commute by car, we recognize traffic safety as a critical issue and conduct regular traffic safety guidance.

Elimination of Occupational Accidents and Traffic Accidents

Safety and Health Committee Meetings

We hold monthly Safety and Health Committee meetings to share progress on departmental safety plans, results of monthly safety patrols, and labor accident cases with corrective actions, continuously improving safety activities.

Occupational Health and Safety Education

We provide annual e-learning programs on occupational health and safety to maintain and enhance employees’ knowledge and skills.

Safety Training Facility (“Safety Dojo”)

At the Tomioka Plant, we have established a “Safety Dojo” within the MPC (Manufacturing Practice Center) to improve hazard sensitivity and safety awareness. The facility includes equipment that simulates potential workplace accidents, aiming to achieve a “zero-accident” workplace.

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  Permanent “Safety Dojo” at Tomioka Plant

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  Pinch and Entanglement Hazard Simulation Equipment
  inside the Safety Dojo

Safe Driving Instructions

At our Tomioka Plant in Gunma Prefecture, most employees commute by car.
To help prevent traffic accidents, senior staff conduct a safety-driving awareness campaign four times a year during commuting hours.In the event of an accident, the employee involved is required to attend a traffic safety training in cooperation with the Tomioka Police Department. As of 2023, there have been no repeat incidents among those who have participated in the training.

Creating Safe, Secure Workplaces

Risk Assessment Subcommittee

We have set up a Risk Assessment Subcommittee related to OH&S. If an occupational accident should occur, this committee objectively verifies the effectiveness of the response of the department where the accident happened, and holds discussions and confirms improvements to prevent any recurrence.

Promoting Good Health among Workers

Mental and Physical Health Consultation Desk

To ensure that all YOKOWO Group employees can work in good mental and physical health, we have established consultation services staffed by occupational physicians, public health nurses, and mental health professionals. These services provide support not only for health and lifestyle improvements but also for mental health and stress-related concerns, creating an environment where employees can seek advice comfortably.

Promotion of Vaccination

Each year, we give influenza vaccination to all employees who wish to receive it, so as to protect the health of employees.

Introduction of Telecommuting

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we promptly introduced telecommuting as a measure to prevent infection, giving top priority to the health and safety of employees. Further, in 2020, we established rules on telecommuting, enhancing our initiatives.

Compliance with Laws and Requirements Related to OH&S

Initiatives on OH&S Management System

Reflecting the growing concern about OH&S, we have built an occupational health and safety management system under the Yokowo Group OH&S Policy and are advancing OH&S initiatives across the Group.
For ISO certification status, please refer to ISO Certification Status.

Performance

Please refer to the ESG Data Book for detailed results of each initiative.
For KPIs related to occupational health and safety, please refer to Sustainability Management.