Occupational health and safety

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Employee safety is a key issue for the LOTOS Group. Worker health and safety protection is a value that is placed at the forefront of the organization.

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According to the law, the LOTOS Group, as an employer with more than 250 employees, appoints an occupational health and safety committee as its advisory and opinion-making body. The committee consists of both employer's representatives, including OHS staff and a physician providing preventive health care, and employee representatives, i.e. trade unions. The committee is chaired by the employer's representative, the Employee Representation Officer. The task of the committee is to review working conditions, periodically assess the state of occupational health and safety, give opinions on measures taken by the employer to prevent accidents at work and occupational diseases, formulate proposals to improve working conditions and cooperate with the employer in the implementation of its obligations in the area of occupational health and safety. The meetings are held during business hours. In cases agreed upon with the Employer, the committee uses the expert studies and opinions of specialists from outside the work establishment, performed at the Employer’s expense.

The LOTOS Group, in accordance with the provisions of law, is obliged to consult employees on all activities related to occupational health and safety, in particular those concerning changes in work organization and equipment of work stations, introduction of new technological processes and chemical substances and preparations if they may pose a threat to the health or life of employees, assessment of occupational risk occurring in the performance of specific tasks and informing employees thereof, allocation of personal protective equipment and protective clothing and footwear to employees, employee training on occupational health and safety

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Occupational health and safety management systems cover all employees of the LOTOS Group and other persons performing temporary work on the premises of the Group's units.
All LOTOS Group employees as well as contractors' employees are subject to occupational safety management system.
The Group conducts occupational health and safety audits of external companies performing work on LOTOS Group’s premises.
In 2021, external chemical audits were also conducted among external companies as part of the ongoing external chemical audit.

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The scope of activities carried out by the occupational health and safety service is based on the applicable laws in this respect. In order to identify and eliminate threats and minimize risks, the LOTOS Group applies a number of tools to improve this area, e.g. through OHS inspections and reviews, OHS training, direct talks with employees, and the incentive programs in place. Inspections of working conditions (thematic, ad hoc, checklist-based) are aimed at verifying the compliance of the actual working environment conditions with the OHS regulations and principles. On the basis of systematic inspections carried out in the LOTOS Group, i.a.: threats to employee’s health and life which may result in accidents at work or occupational diseases are identified and assessed; particularly onerous positions and ergonomic irregularities are assessed; occupational health and safety conditions in the work premises are assessed; the causes of threats, shortcomings and irregularities are identified; and actions are taken to eliminate threats and irregularities and to reduce them. The OHS service systematically strengthens its competencies and qualifications through participation of its employees in dedicated training courses, benchmarking meetings and exchange of experience with other production plants. The education process of the OHS service is also supported by the LOTOS Group’s employee training initiative, i.e. LOTOS Academy, as well as by projects and activities implemented by the OHS service for employees, e.g. as part of educational campaigns or OHS Days organized every year. The implementation of such additional above-standard preventive actions for employees, especially in new areas of safety, also contributes to further education and self-development of OHS employees.

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In the LOTOS Group, threats at the workplaces are systematically identified. The Group checks hazards such as, among others, noise, electromagnetic radiation, non-ionizing radiation, chemicals and mechanical vibration. If it is possible, the threats are eliminated. When the cost is too high to eliminate a hazard, the workplaces are organized and secured to reduce the impact of the hazards on the workers’ health and safety.

An occupational risk assessment is conducted for LOTOS Group employees as well as for trainees, apprentices, new hires and contractors.

Every employee, visitor or contractor is informed about the potential hazards in the LOTOS Group, receiving information on chemical and physical agents, hazard prevention methods, health requirements at the workplace or emergency response methods. This is exemplified by organizing training for subcontractors during maintenance shutdowns, where all of the aforementioned issues are discussed, as well as giving instructions on how to prepare a safe workstation. Additionally, each Company prepares additional health and safety training related to their job specifications.

In connection with the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, all employees are kept informed of the status of infections in the LOTOS Group as well as in individual Companies. The LOTOS Group observes the sanitary regime and recommends remote work (if there is a possibility of providing remote work at the given position).

Work-related hazardous situations are reported by employees is done in accordance with the relevant IMS procedure in force. The procedure describes how to report, analyze, handle and monitor hazardous situations for all company employees. Unsafe situations reported by employees are eliminated on an ongoing basis, and when they require in-depth analysis and appropriate human and financial resources, they are implemented as part of the so-called Working Conditions Improvement Plan. At the same time, Grupa LOTOS has in place the so-called Employees Incentive Scheme (the Incentive Scheme is also used by other Companies to report threats in their respective areas – these reports are analyzed and passed on to the relevant persons from the given Company). The aim of the Program is to promote the values resulting from the observance of the principles of occupational health and safety by awarding prizes to those who submit the most interesting works concerning the observance of the principles of occupational health and safety, in particular those reflecting the influence of safely performed work on its effect. Employees also report noticed hazardous situations and propose improvements that should be implemented at workplaces. As a result, they have a real impact on improving the working conditions. Employees are keep to report dangerous situations thanks to our incentive program and our engagement and motivation procedure. Information on this topic is provided to them during training sessions on broadly understood safety and health prevention.

2021 was replete with challenges involving the current pandemic situation, employees fatigued by constant restrictions had proclivities towards depression, loss of motivation and frustration. This translated into commitment to work safety, manifested by the decline in reports of unsafe circumstances and proactive attitudes shown by production employees. Also, workers’ extended period of remote work, and consequently the limitation on interpersonal relations generated concerns and fears among employees about coming back to do work onsite and the normal functioning in the organization. The preliminarily started preparations for the refurbishment shutdown allowed the team responsible for occupational safety and health to engage in effective communication on the requirements for the Lotos Group’s work safety. This translated into contractors’ greater commitment to enhancing the standards of safety during the work to do refurbishment shutdown. As a consequence, the 2021 refurbishment shutdown was completed without any reports of major injuries. During the shutdown a simplified system for reporting events potentially involving accidents was introduced. After reports were filed, corrective actions were taken promptly. We launched e-learning training on safety culture for all group employees and 12 days of occupational safety and health were held under the following main motto “I am the leader of safety”. The days of occupational safety and health were held on site with the main attraction being the Second Race around the Refinery. External changes related to the PKN Orlen merger necessitated analysis, the mapping of our occupational safety and health processes (procedures, systems and tools) and their alignment to the new organizational structure.

Krzysztof Marszałek Manager of the Prevention and Analysis Team

The LOTOS Group Strategy for 2017-2022 includes, as one of its key strategic pillars, the goal „Strong team, consistent CSR and safety” and Initiative 5.3 – High Safety Culture accompanying the safety area. This is an expression of the Management Board’s care for the safe working conditions of employees and emphasizes that work safety is a priority and a value in itself. This approach to the question of safety allows employees to walk away from a workstation in a situation that they believe threatens health or could cause an injury. Provisions concerning this employee’s right can be found, among others, in the Risk Assessment Charts for all workstations and in occupational safety training procedures. Information about the employees’ rights is also provided to them, among others, during OHS training.

The process of identifying risks is executed through the LOTOS Group’s employees (employees willingly report hazards through the Incentive Program) and OHS department employees (specialists, inspectors, process safety engineers). Threats are eliminated on an ongoing basis. If they require financial expenditures, they are reported to the Working Conditions Improvement Plan (PPWP), and appropriate preventive measures are taken. In order to improve the occupational health and safety management system in the LOTOS Group, work is under way to improve the communication of occupational health and safety employees of LOTOS Group companies through systematic meetings and the involvement of the Companies’ employees in the Incentive Program and the organization of OHS Days.

A hierarchy of controls is a system of rules aimed at improving occupational health and safety, eliminating hazards and minimizing risks. By clearly articulating how to respond, employees can control potential threats. Each control in the hierarchy is considered less effective than the previous one. The priority is to eliminate the hazard, which is the most effective way to control the risk.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) Guidelines on Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems 2001 I ISO 45001: 2018 list the following preventive and protective measures in the following order of priority:

  • eliminate the hazard/risk;
  • replace the hazard/risk with less hazardous processes, operations, materials or equipment;
  • control the hazard/risk at source, through the use of engineering controls or organizational measures;
  • minimize the hazard/risk by the design of safe work systems, which include administrative control measures;
  • where residual hazards/risks cannot be controlled by collective measures, the employer should provide for appropriate personal protective equipment, including clothing, at no cost, and should implement measures to ensure its use and maintenance.
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One of the key elements contributing to safety in the workplace is a responsible and fully aware employee. Therefore, the LOTOS Group places great emphasis on preventive and informative measures. The Company organizes training and implements preventive programs aiming at minimizing the effects of diseases among the company employees. Employees, trainees and apprentices receive initial OHS training in accordance with the content and subject matter specified in the training programs.

Employees of the LOTOS Group, regardless of their position and type of work, receive introductory initial and periodic training. During the periodic occupational health and safety training, in addition to a theoretical course, they also participate in practical firefighting drills using firefighting equipment (fire training simulator) and first aid drills. Depending on the professional group, employees undergo periodic training in the form of e-learning (administrative, engineering and technical, and managerial groups). Periodic OHS training sessions for a specific worker group, as required by law, are conducted in a stationary form. Since the majority of workers in blue-collar positions perform particularly hazardous work, this training is done annually. The system of employee occupational safety training involves not only compulsory OHS training required under the law.

In order to improve practical skills and increase safety of practical exercises in the use of fire extinguishers and firefighting, a fire training simulator is used. The device has a remote flame control function and a system of continuous replenishment of extinguisher simulators, which greatly improves the performance of training. The fire simulated by the device is more realistic than in the older version of the simulator. In addition, thanks to the mock-ups it is possible to simulate engine, bookcase, monitor, wood and trashcan fires.

Educating production employees during reserve „R” days is an important element of improving employee skills. Each cycle includes training on various topics, e.g. cross-channel, fire protection, use of scaffoldings (conducted by PIGR), confined spaces, effects of smoking (LUXMED), accidents at work during operation of pressurized and non-pressurized equipment (UDT), practical use of a defibrillator (EMERGENCY). During these meetings, the OHS service also conducts training on topics related to new standards of conduct at the LOTOS Group, implemented procedures, analysis of accidents at work or identified hazardous situations. The topics are selected as needed, including those indicated by the employees themselves.

An e-learning platform has been launched for the employees of the LOTOS Group. Thanks to it employees have access to a range of mandatory as well as optional courses. As part of mandatory training, LOTOS Group employees were required to undergo instruction on the Golden Rules of Occupational health and safety implemented in the LOTOS Group, periodic OHS training, and safety culture training. As part of optional courses, employees have access to sessions on preventive health, stress or OHS when working remotely.

The training sessions were designed to systematize the knowledge of risk analysis methods for engineers who are associated with the production area (such as e.g. production coordination, process safety, occupational safety or risk management). This knowledge will allow for efficient and effective risk analysis.

Organized jointly by the Pomeranian Regional Headquarters of the State Fire Service and the LOTOS Group on the premises of the refinery in Gdańsk. During the exercises, various scenarios are implemented for dealing with the occurrence of an industrial breakdown.

Held systematically in the production area, with the participation of, among others, plant operations/crew, contractors, LOTOS Guard and LOTOS Security units. The exercises are aimed at practical verification of the knowledge and analysis of scenarios of possible emergency events, ways of proceeding and reacting in case of a potential threat e.g.: chemical spill and leak, fixed roof tank fire.

Informing contractors through face-to-face or e-learning training on „General safety rules on the LOTOS Group premises” and “OHS rules for business partners during maintenance shutdowns”. Due to the observed growing number of contractors (foreigners), e-training is prepared in five language versions. This facilitates communication and contributes to more effective training.

A number of additional training courses are provided to supplement knowledge. These include, among others, webinars on health prevention, work safety and organization, training for the first-aid rescuer team of the production division, training on the proper use of AED defibrillators available in Grupa Lotos S.A.

Out of concern for the health of their employees and to provide them with easy access to a wide range of medical services, Grupa LOTOS S.A. Group companies have established cooperation with LUX MED clinics, and PROMEDIS and Medycyna Rodzinna outpatient clinics. The medical service package is available to each employee who has a subscription which entitles them to free doctor appointments.
The value of the medical subscription paid for by the employer is added to the employee's income each month and is subject to taxation and deduction of social security contributions. The use of additional medical care is voluntary. There isalso the possibility of medical cover for the employee's family.

As part of employee health prevention, the LOTOS Group organizes preventive events, such as OHS Days. The coronavirus pandemic left many people without access to health care and various types of tests, which is why the 12th OHS Days focused on health prevention. LOTOS Group employees had the opportunity to check their health by performing glucose, cholesterol, cancer markers, spirometry, bone density testing, mammography and ankle-brachial index (ABI) testing. Participants also took advantage of consultations with a physiotherapist and nutritionist and relaxed their tense muscles during office massages. In addition, the 2nd Refinery Run was held during the event. 151 participants tested their strength by running a 3.8 km course. 12th OHS Days also included webinars, workshops with a physiotherapist and a paramedic. During this year’s edition, participants also had the opportunity to meet a special guest, sailor Piotr Myszka, who gave a lecture entitled „The way to success and good habits”.

In an effort to minimize the threat associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, Group companies refer their employees for Covid-19 diagnostic testing so that employees returning from isolation or quarantine feel safe and assured of a complete recovery.

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In accordance with the current Business Strategy, occupational health and safety protection for our own and our cooperating employees is one of the priorities of the LOTOS Group. Particularly high priority is given to activities aimed at maintaining a high level of safety, minimizing existing hazards, reducing accident incidence, preventing/mitigating significant adverse effects on health and safety in the workplace, which are directly related to the operations, products andservices. We achieve these goals by, among other things, ensuring proper organization of the work environment and ergonomics at workstations, systematic performance of environmental surveys, application of the best possible collective and individual protection measures at workstations, application of the best possible process and technical protection measures (BAT), improvement of the hazard identification system and risk assessment in the man-machine-environment system, conducting systematic advisory, supervisory and controlling activities, organizing practical training courses and thematic workshops improving professional qualifications of employees as well as raising awareness and involvement of employees, all of which contribute to the growth of the occupational safety culture.

We treat Occupational Safety as an investment. By investing in people and property, we achieve benefits that translate into, among other things: improvement of working conditions, minimization of accidents at work, reduction of the value of safety indicators, reduction of costs related to accidents at work and occupational diseases, elimination of onerous, harmful and hazardous factors in the work environment, elimination of hazards and emerging irregularities, increased awareness and involvement of employees, improvement of employees’ qualifications and skills, positive increase in employee satisfaction – „comfort of safe work”, reduction of costs of running the company and disturbances at work, increased level of confidence of investors and insurers, as well as increased trust of employees in the employer, strengthening the image and value of the brand, positive influence on the company’s reputation, reduction of exposure to criminal or civil lawsuits, possibility of comparing with the best (HSE leaders) in the refinery industry – „benchmarking”.

Within the framework of specific corporate risks of the LOTOS Group, risks related to occupational safety as well as prevention of occupational diseases have been determined. The main risk concerns the occurrence of occupational diseases due to harmful factors in the working environment, resulting in loss of image and additional costs. This risk is estimated according to the adopted methodology, is subject to systematic monitoring, and a number of tasks are launched to mitigate it.

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In 2021, there were 47 accidents in the LOTOS Group. All accidents were individual accidents. Most had to do with operating machinery and equipment and walking.

There were no serious, collective or fatal accidents among either GL S.A. employees or contractors in 2021. There were also no accident that led to serious injuries. All incidents were thoroughly analyzed to identify root causes and determine actions to eliminate them in the future.

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In 2021, there were no new reports of suspected or recognized occupational disease among LOTOS Group employees.

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