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EHS Program Overview

The SOKUDO Approach To Environmental Health & Safety
 This document is intended to provide our customers with a general understanding of the safety culture and programs at SOKUDO.

EHS Management System

SOKUDO has developed an extensive Integrated Safety Management System (ISMS) which establishes the fundamental management strategy that will ensure all organizational ESH policies and procedures are implemented. SOKUDO' EHS ISMS incorporates controls necessitated by corporate policies and government regulations, and supports the principles promoted by SEMI’s Global Care Initiative®, and international standards such as ISO 18001. These principles, along with legislative requirements and good management practices are included in the EHS management system which covers:

• EHS auditing
• EHS training
• Safe systems of work
• Emergency preparedness
• Incident reporting and investigation
• Environmental protection
• Occupational health protection
• Security

Web technologies are utilized in the management of our EHS systems and in communication of safety information and data to all employees. The ISMS is reviewed annually as part of the Sokudo Safety Program Audit. Based on management input, assessments, occurrences, lessons learned, data analysis, and other mechanisms, the ISMS will be modified as necessary to assure that EHS continues to be effectively implemented within SOKUDO. 

The following principles are at the core of the Sokudo Integrated Safety Management System, and apply at all levels of the organization: 

• Work EHS Planning - Clear definition of the tasks that are to be accomplished as part of any given activity.

• Hazard and Risk Analysis - Analysis and determination of the hazards and risks associated with any activity.

• Establishment of Controls - Controls that are sufficient to reduce the risks associated with any activity to acceptable levels. Acceptable levels are determined by responsible managers, but are always in conformance with all applicable laws and regulations. The only acceptable goal for safety at Sokudo is zero injury or environmental incidents. Controls are considered and implemented in this order: Engineering, Administrative, and PPE.

• Work Performance - Conduct of the tasks to accomplish the activity in accordance with the established controls.

• Feedback and Improvement - Implementation of a continuous improvement cycle for the activity, including incorporation of employee suggestions, Lessons Learned, and employee and community outreach, as appropriate.

  EHS Committee

Sokudo operates a Safety Committee that is chaired by the Safety Manager and attended by representatives from each department. The Sokudo General Manager has oversight of this Committee, and the “Sokudo Safety Committee Policy and By-Laws” is the guiding document for Committee operations.

The Safety Committee meets monthly to conduct research, discuss problem areas, and make recommendations to senior management on a variety of EHS matters. The Committee audits the Sokudo Safety Programs, promotes EHS awareness and training, and ensures that the Company works to improve the effectiveness of all safety programs.

 Policies, Values and Standards

It is the policy of SOKUDO to provide a safe and healthful workplace. Every employee is responsible for the safety of himself/herself as well as others in the workplace. To achieve our goal of maintaining a safe workplace, everyone must be safety conscious at all times. In compliance with Federal, state, and local law, regulation, and ordinance, and to promote the concept of a safe workplace, the Company maintains safety programs which ensure:

• Compliance with all applicable environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations.
• Continual improvement in environmental, health and safety performance with the ultimate goal of zero injuries.
• Operation of our offices in a manner that protects the environment and the health and safety of our employees and the public.
• Open discussion of our environmental, health, and safety practices and performance.
• Active participation in The Global Care Initiative and similar initiatives in the countries in which we operate.

As seen from our policies and values, SOKUDO is committed to being an industry leader in EHS performance. To recognize employees who exemplify this leadership commitment, we have instituted an EHS Recognition Program. All SOKUDO' employees are eligible for these awards. Awards are presented each year for excellence in EHS systems and performance, continuous improvement ideas, and community outreach.

EHS Goal

 “Establish a safe and healthful environment within SOKUDO by building a safety and health culture which will move the company toward the goal of zero loss to human and material resources”

To achieve this goal, we:

1. Create a safety and health culture inclusive of all employees and activities.

2. Improve our ability to identify and abate unsafe practices and conditions.

3. Provide resources to implement effective safety and health strategies.

4. Facilitate accountability and program improvement through evaluation and monitoring.

5. Increase safety and health awareness and program communication.

SOKUDO is committed to being an industry leader in environmental, health and safety (EHS) performance. Every day, protecting people and the environment are priorities in our work, from the individual actions of every SOKUDO employee to the operation of our offices throughout the U.S. We have put policies and systems in place to meet our EHS goals, all of which are described below. Our performance has demonstrated the effect of these efforts—we are among the leaders in our industries in safety and have received several EHS awards.

 Safety and Health Overview

Our EHS policy discussed above is grounded in our environmental, health and safety values. Our occupational health values state:

SOKUDO is committed to providing working conditions which will promote high levels of well being for all of its employees. We believe:

• Our employees are our greatest asset; their health and wellness on and off the job is vital;
• Workplace health risks can be identified and controlled;
• Management is responsible for controlling health risks and exposures and ensuring illness prevention is practiced in every place where we work;
• Each employee is responsible for their individual health protection and ensuring our occupational health practices are followed.
• Nothing is more important than safety; not production, not sales, not profits;
• All accidents and injuries are preventable and are not inevitable;
• Safety is a management responsibility and safety can be managed;
• Safety is an individual responsibility and a condition of employment;
• Safety is a way of life around the clock;
• Every task must be performed with a concern for safety: for ourselves, our fellow employees, our contractors, our visitors, our customers and the communities in which we operate.

OSHA Recordable Incidents

An OSHA recordable incident is a work-related injury that requires medical care beyond basic first aid treatment, missed work days, or work restrictions. Examining recordable incidents and their causes gives us a better look at the severity of all injuries and helps in our prevention efforts

In calendar year 2003, our recordable incident rate for employees dropped to  2.67 compared to 4.27 in 2002. Our 2004 rate was .96. We believe this reduction in injuries can be attributed to many things, including:

• The growth of a safety culture at Sokudo.

• Expanded safety training for all Sokudo employees.

• Integration of health and safety into all Sokudo functions.

• Demonstrated support of Sokudo Senior Management for workplace safety issues.

As can be seen in the chart below, Sokudo has progressed tremendously in the reduction of workplace injuries over the past several years, and has shown steady improvement since 2002. It can also be seen that Sokudo has consistently remained under the industry average for workplace injuries since 2000.

 Risk Management

At SOKUDO, we believe that the potential risks associated with the work we perform can be, and are, managed. This conviction is grounded in our belief that safety can be managed, and that all accidents are preventable. As a result, we have rigorous safety and security systems that examine the potential risks of our work, and continue to take appropriate actions to minimize these risks. Where we believe a risk may be too high, we will take risk reduction measures or if appropriate, cease these operations.

If a crisis involving one of our offices occurs, we quickly activate our Business Continuation Plan (BCP). This plan involves employees at all levels of the organization—from office workers to executives—and coordinates all the resources and management skills necessary to effectively respond to and manage a crisis. Routine training and drills on the BCP are conducted.

Job Hazard Analysis (A Risk Management Program)

To reduce potential risks to our employees, risks and hazards must be identified and controlled or eliminated. This Program requires the identification of potential risks, and encourages actions that reduce or eliminate those risks or hazards. This Program also requires that all Sokudo offices have emergency action plans in place.

Risk and Hazard Identification

When we talk about "risk," we're talking specifically about:

• The hazards of the work our employee’s perform
• The possibility of these hazards causing injury or damage
• The consequences of an accident

These risks are evaluated through conducting a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) on all Sokudo job types, as well as on projects and maintenance procedures. The JHA permits us to identify hazards associated with a particular job or procedure, and implement actions to mitigate these risks.

Managing Risk

At SOKUDO, risk management is an integral part of our operations. While our risk management activities will differ depending on the site and hazards involved, all are grounded in the same fundamentals.

Risk Management Fundamentals

• We have processes in place to make sure we comply with federal, state, and local regulations—as well as our own strict environmental, health, and safety standards;
• We have emergency response plans in place at all of our offices;
• We provide the necessary resources—people, equipment and money—to eliminate or reduce hazards, thus preventing incidents from occurring in the first place;
• We put these resources to work to minimize or contain the potential impact of any incidents that occur;
• We help employees prepare to react quickly and appropriately to an incident; and
• We routinely evaluate our performance in these areas.

Safety Training

All Sokudo employees are assigned safety training requirements based on the hazards associated with their position, and according to U.S. and State OSHA regulations, as well as according to EU legislation/guidelines. All courses are accessed via the TrainCaster LMS (http://www.dnse.traincaster.com). Any computer with an Internet connection may access this site. The courses for each job type are listed below (frequency):

All Employees

1. SD-001: Overview of Sokudo Safety (Initial and as Program is updated)

2. SD-006: Fire Prevention, Emergency Preparedness & Fire Extinguisher Use (Annual)

3. SD-007: Hazard Communication (Initial and every 3 years)

4. SM-003 Basics of Ergonomics (Annual)

 

Office

1. SM-005:Drive Safely (for anyone using a personal or rental car for Company business at any time) (Initial)

 

Manager

1. SD-002:Sokudo Safety for Managers (Initial)

2. SD-004:Incident Investigations at Sokudo (Initial)

3. SM-001:Accident Investigation (Initial)

4. SM-005:Defensive Driving-Passenger Safety (Initial)

 

FSE (Includes FSE, PE, TSE, Trainer, and anyone that works on or around DNS equipment)

1. SD-003:Chemical Hazards (Annual)

2. SD-008:Fall Protection & Ladder Safety (Annual)

3. SD-009:PPE and Material Handling (Annual)

4. SD-010:Electrical Safety  (Annual)

5. SM-002:Back Safety (Annual)

6. SM-004: Confined Space Entry (Annual)

7. SM-005:Defensive Driving-Passenger Safety (Initial)

8. SM-012:Lockout/Tagout Take Control (Annual)

9. CPR (As required by customer; locally arranged) 

10. SM-007: Respiratory Protection (only for employees currently enrolled in Sokudo Respiratory Protection Program) (Annual)

 

Warehouse

1. SD-003:Chemical Hazards (Annual)

2. SD-008:Fall Protection & Ladder Safety (Annual)

3. SD-009:PPE and Material Handling (Annual)

4. SM-002:Back Safety (Annual)

 

Safety Committee

1. SD-002:Sokudo Safety for Managers (Initial)

2. SD-003:Chemical Hazards (Annual)

3. SD-004:Incident Investigations at Sokudo (Initial)

4. SD-005:Introduction to Safety Committees (Initial)

5. SD-008:Fall Protection & Ladder Safety (Annual)

6. SD-009:PPE and Material Handling (Annual)

7. SD-010:Electrical Safety  (Annual)

8. SM-001:Accident Investigation (Initial)

9. SM-002:Back Safety (Annual)

10. SM-004: Confined Space Entry (Annual)

11. SM-005:Defensive Driving-Passenger Safety (Initial)

12. SM-012:Lockout/Tagout Take Control (Annual)

Additionally, weekly safety talks and site-specific training is conducted by managers. 

Environmental Protection Overview

Our environmental values support our overall EHS policy and specifically state:

We recognize that conducting our business in an environmentally responsible manner is critical to our success. We believe that:

• Environmental policies, programs, and practices must be integrated into each business function and made a priority in the design of new processes and offices and in the evaluation of new business opportunities.
• Pollution of air, water, and land can be prevented and waste eliminated.
• We must be an environmentally responsible neighbor.
• We have a responsibility to protect the environment and conserve resources for future generations.

Each employee is given the training and tools needed to understand and support these environmental principles in their daily responsibilities.

Energy and Resource Conservation

The efficient and responsible use of energy is an important part of our business at SOKUDO. SOKUDO is always working toward reducing our use of energy and water resources, as well as reducing the amount of waste we generate. All of our offices have a waste reduction program in place to ensure recycling of waste whenever feasible. We are also developing a formal energy and resource conservation program, following the guidelines provided in SEMI's Global Care Initiative. Our parent company, Dainippon Screen Manufacturing of Japan, has committed to the principles set forth in the Global Care Initiative, and SOKUDO is also committed to these principles.