Serious Accident Prevention Policy

MERO ČR, a. s. undertakes to implement a management system in the area of the Accident Prevention Policy (APP) to the extent of minimizing the impact of the company activities on lives and health of employees and residents living in the company vicinity and on property and the environment and complying with the applicable legal regulations. To meet this goal, the company will take a proactive approach to the Integrated Management System (IMS).

The fundamental commitment of all employees and contractors includes accident prevention, risk reduction and accident impact elimination.

The Accident Prevention Policy is an integral part of all levels of management and involves all employees in the process of continuous improvement. MERO ČR, a. s. communicates actively with all involved parties.

The system of management of the Serious Accident Prevention Policy is documented and evaluated using measurable goals and tasks and reviewed subsequently within IMS. Continuous improvement of the system as well as enhancement of safety and emergency readiness of MERO ČR, a. s. are thus guaranteed.

Principles of Serious Accident Prevention Policy of MERO ČR, a. s.

System of Management of Accident Prevention Policy (APP)

• In order to act in line with APP policy, the company determines APP goals which are part of IMS goals.
• Risk identification, risk assessment and risk management are performed as part of the process analysis pursuant to legislative requirements.
• An effective organizational structure has been built and appropriate financial, material and human resources have been allocated to meet the defined goals.

Organization and Employees

• All activities within the company are carried out pursuant to legislative requirements and corporate IMS directives.
• Tasks and responsibilities in respect to the APP system are assigned to each employee within the organizational structure.
• APP enforcement is an integral part of every employee’s responsibility.
• All company employees are aware of the policy, goals, programs and assigned tasks. They are trained on a regular and duly documented basis depending on their position.
• All employees are involved in decision-making concerning safety and APP issues.
• APP management system applies to external partners as well.
• MERO ČR, a. s. communicates actively with all involved parties.

Risk Management

• Risks related to individual procedures are identified and managed within IMS. The analysis output is represented by an activity register.
• Risks of serious accident occurrence are identified, evaluated and managed by taking suitable technical and organizational actions.

Operation Management

• Guidelines ensuring safe execution are issued in respect to each activity.
• The guidelines are designed and regularly reviewed by responsible persons cooperating with employees.
• Reviews and inspections of all equipment are carried out in line with the overall inspection plan.
• Beside other criteria, suppliers are assessed and selected based on their capacity to meet APP rules.

Change Management

• Safe procedures for planning and implementation of changes in current operational structures and facilities are issued, accepted and implemented within IMS. All changes are evaluated with respect to their impact on operational safety, environmental protection and property and with respect to their compliance with legislative requirements.

Emergency Planning

• Emergency plans are drafted and appropriate financial, material and human resources are allocated to individual operational structures.
• The emergency plans are regularly updated, reviewed and checked within the Integrated Rescue System (IRS) drills.
• The employees are regularly informed of the updated emergency plans and their readiness to respond is tested.

Program Implementation Monitoring

• The implementation of APP goals and programs is regularly checked and assessed by company management.
• In case of failure to implement, the appropriate corrective or preventive actions are taken.

Inspection and Audit

• APP system is reviewed periodically and systematically during internal and external audits of the IMS.
• Regular inspections of compliance with the rules of occupational safety, fire prevention and environmental protection are carried out by appropriate specialists and executives.
• The results, lessons learned and recommendations from audits are included in the IMS.
• The whole system of IMS is regularly reviewed and checked by the company management and external auditors.