Occupational Health and Safety

• The Basic Principle for Occupational Health and Safety
• Establishing Occupational Health and Safety Management System
• Global Occupational Health and Safety Targets
• Occupational Health and Safety Risk Assessment
• Implementation of Health and Safety Training
• Ensuring the Occupational Health and Safety of Contractors
• Initiatives to Improve Employee Health
• Addressing Mental Health
• Promoting Collabo-Health
• Encouraging Employees to Receive Medical Exams and Quit Smoking
• Health Promotion Initiatives for Employees and Their Families
• Addressing Infection Prevention and Other Global Health Issues
• Health and Safety Considerations for Nuclear Businesses

The Basic Principle for Occupational Health and Safety

Approach & Policy

Hitachi communicates the Hitachi Group Health and Safety Policy to all Hitachi Group companies worldwide in Japanese, English, and Chinese. This policy is based on our philosophy that Health and Safety Always Comes First. We coordinate with all related companies, including contractors and procurement partners, to ensure the group works together to create safe, secure, comfortable, and healthy workplaces for all.
We instill our belief in everyone who works at the Hitachi Group that occupational injuries and illnesses can be prevented and that each of us is responsible for our own safety and health. We also strive to actively adopt practices to protect our own health and safety and foster a culture of raising mutual awareness.

Establishing Occupational Health and Safety Management System

Structure

At Hitachi, the Safety and Health Management Division at the headquarters oversees occupational health and safety for the entire Hitachi Group, holding the Health and Safety Leaders Meeting every other month. Officers in charge of health and safety at each group company and the health and safety manager of each division attend the meeting to develop strategies for groupwide occupational health and safety activities, to set targets and groupwide KPIs, and to confirm the progress of division initiatives. Participants also work to improve occupational health and safety management systems by analyzing the factors behind accidents and implementing detailed measures to prevent recurrence, sharing best practices, and implementing training.
The Senior Executive Committee receives reports and discusses the number of accidents and responses to occupational health and safety risks, the results of which are reported to the Board of Directors.
In Japan, each business site or other location convenes a monthly health and safety committee, which is attended by the business operators, labor union, and employees. Participants analyze the factors leading to accidents and develop countermeasures, share information, and discuss health and safety activities considering the situation regarding employees who have taken sick leave. If serious injuries or fatal accidents occur at work sites outside Japan, the Safety and Health Management Division may take direct action to support improvement activities, depending on the circumstances.
The Hitachi Group has also obtained international certifications such as ISO45001 at multiple sites.

Labor-Management Cooperation toward Improving Occupational Health and Safety Levels

Global Occupational Health and Safety Targets

Strategy & Target

Materiality

To build a safe, accident-free workplace, Hitachi established a target of zero fatalities for workers, including contractors. In the previous Mid-term Management Plan 2021, in addition to a KPI related to fatalities, we included a KPI for lost-time injuries. The Mid-term Management Plan 2024 includes total recordable injury frequency rate (TRIFR^*1) as a KPI, which is more comprehensive compared with lost-time injuries. TRIFR is an indicator that encompasses not only fatalities and lost-time injuries, but also non-lost-time injuries. We established a target to halve TRIFR by fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2021.
To achieve these targets, we will foster groupwide efforts in line with the following three strategic in the Mid-term Management Plan 2024.
We regret to report that there were four fatal accidents across the Hitachi Group in fiscal 2023, including accidents of contractors. We will strengthen our integrated safety management system, including systems for contractors, by identifying risks and implementing response measures related to high-risk activities^*2 and equipment (electric shock, work at heights, heavy objects, etc.).
Although the Hitachi Group’s total recordable injury frequency rate in fiscal 2023 decreased from the previous year, we continue to formulate action plans and strengthen efforts to achieve our fiscal 2024 targets.

*1TRIFR: Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate (casualties per 200,000 work hours)

*2 High-risk activities: (1) electric shock (high voltage), (2) work at high (3) industrial vehicles (4) heavy lifting (5) machinery and equipment (6) confined space (7) toxic gases (8) fires and explosions

Three Strategic Pillars for Safety

Safety Targets and Results (Hitachi Group)

Action Plan for Fiscal 2024

To achieve the Mid-term Management Plan 2024, we are conducting efforts on a groupwide basis in fiscal 2024 pursuing the following action plan.

Action Plan for Fiscal 2024

Occupational Health and Safety Risk Assessment

Activities

Hitachi establishes and manages its own standards for high-risk activities and equipment as a common global measure and pursues occupational health and safety activities that match the characteristics of each company’s business. We are also working to adjust high-risk activities and equipment in all BUs, implementing measures and making investments to reduce risk in addition to measures to prevent occupational accidents under clearly defined safety managers at the business site level. Furthermore, in fiscal 2023, we formulated a management system manual for back-offices, and also produced and published two other manuals, the Health and Safety Management Guidelines for the Office, and the Safety Handbook.
We have a global monitoring system in place to identify, evaluate, and introduce countermeasures related to risks, and conduct internal audits into the status of risk assessment for locations that are determined to have significant risks. We leverage IT and digital technologies for accident prevention. Further, the Safety and Health Management Division reports global accident statistics monthly at Senior Executive Committee meetings to understand facts related to injury statistics.

Risk Assessment

Hitachi established the Hitachi Group Health and Safety Management System Standards (available in Japanese, English and Chinese), which meet the requirements of ISO45001. We pursue risk mitigation activities based on the Hitachi Group Risk Assessment Guidelines in line with the standards.
New and existing businesses at group companies also follow the guidelines in conducting risk mitigation activities.

Internal Audits

Hitachi reports to the Audit Committee on an annual basis for discussion regarding its policies, plans, and performance on its occupational health and safety activities. Reports are also made at least once a year to the Senior Executive Committee, meetings of group company presidents, and other bodies, about important issues such as fatal accidents and potentially serious events. The results of monitoring incidents requiring improvement in particular are reported to the Senior Executive Committee and at meetings of group company presidents.
Additionally, starting from fiscal 2024, the headquarters will conduct an annual internal audit based on the health and safety management system.

External Audits

In fiscal 2018, Hitachi commissioned independent external audits on safety diagnostics at four sites in Japan. The auditors identified issues (see the table below) requiring attention to comply with the Hitachi Group Health and Safety Policy, and we are making continuous improvements in response to each of the issues identified.
During fiscal 2019 and 2020, we focused on activities that built a foundation for understanding the current situation and solving problems. In fiscal 2021, we performed independent outside safety analyses for a fatal accident at a group company outside of Japan. We strengthened health and safety systems in the relevant region, reconsidered our action plans, and improved safety awareness. In fiscal 2022, we established and rolled out to all group companies, the Hitachi Group Health and Safety Management Rules and the Hitachi Group Health and Safety Management System Standards, with the aim of establishing and operating a groupwide safety management system. In fiscal 2023, we implemented the initiatives listed in the table below. In fiscal 2024, we plan to conduct a safety awareness survey through an external entity.

Actions to Issues identified by External Audits

Implementation of Health and Safety Training

Activities

To prevent occupational accidents, Hitachi aims to rebuild a culture of safety by implementing appropriate occupational health and safety training for all executive officers and employees.
Each Hitachi Group company distributes work guidelines and procedures relating to their own business and industry. We also conduct safety-focused training at each organizational level, as well as education and drills tailored to each organization and business type, for line managers and safety staff and for workers engaged in specific hazardous activities in the field. We provide individual guidance to new hires and temporary workers in particular, as they are at a higher risk of injury. We perform this training through on-the-job training to increase awareness and understanding of work procedures and dangers before engaging in work.
We conduct safety-focused leadership training for management executives to strengthen awareness of and build commitment to roles and responsibilities concerning safety. After executive officers receive training, we also evaluate changes in awareness and behavior through one-on-one interviews with external consultants. As of fiscal 2023, we held 33 training sessions attended by 440 participants (including 11 sessions in English and Chinese for 101 participants from outside Japan).
Furthermore, we provide e-learning on health and safety for newly appointed section managers and supervisors, with 2,985 people taking the course in fiscal 2023.

Number of Participants in Specialized Safety Training by Grade

Ensuring the Occupational Health and Safety of Contractors

Activities

Hitachi strengthened safety management systems, including laws and regulations, rules, and operations, at sites outside plants based on accidents involving contractors during construction, installation, service and maintenance work at sites outside plants.
Specifically, we established and deployed On-Site Construction Safety Management Guidelines, a set of guidelines for standard Hitachi Group safety management systems common to off-plant sites, and are working to improve integrated safety management, including contractor safety. The Guidelines define the work flow between Hitachi and contractors during major on-site construction work. The management status of the contractor's occupational health and safety at time of contract, during construction, and after completion is assessed with communication taking place between both parties. The Hitachi Group Sustainable Procurement Guidelines also stipulate matters related to health and safety.
Furthermore, we are taking the fact that a fatal accident with a contractor’s employee happened in local construction seriously. We have set up a working group made up of business entities with construction departments (including overseas) and began considering, with the help of experts, measures to strengthen Groupwide safety.

Hitachi Group Sustainable Procurement Guidelines

Initiatives to Improve Employee Health

Strategy & Target

Activities

Hitachi believes that improving employees’ wellbeing is essential for sustainable growth, so we endeavor to create workplaces in which all group employees work in safety and health, both mental and physical. In fiscal 2020, we added questions relating to wellbeing to our annual global employee survey, and we expanded these questions in fiscal 2021. We will continue to consider appropriate measures based on responses related to employee wellbeing.

Improving Employee Engagement

Targets for Health in Japan

In Japan, we implement health management measures on a steady basis, strengthen mental health support in accordance with new work styles, and strive to eradicate employee lifestyle- related diseases. Over the medium and long term, we will implement measures based on groupwide policies after ascertaining the actual conditions and identifying issues related to occupational health measures globally.

Targets and Results for Health Management (Hitachi Group companies in Japan)

*1Specific health guidance: Support by professional staff (public health nurses, dietitians, etc.) to review lifestyle habits for persons at high risk of developing lifestyle-related diseases and for whom lifestyle-related diseases can be prevented to a large extent through lifestyle improvements.

*2As of the end of June 2024

Health Support Initiatives in Japan

• Provide occupational health services at health management centers that support communities and businesses
• Health maintenance measures provided based on periodic medical exams and other examinations to prevent serious disease
• Medical interviews and advice to prevent mental and physical disorders among employees working long hours
• Consultations and guidance by occupational healthcare workers to address employee health concerns and encourage regular exercise
• Qualitative improvement of occupational healthcare activities and the human capital development of occupational healthcare workers through regular meetings, study groups, and training sessions attended by both occupational healthcare workers and human resources staff
• Implement approaches to encourage highly stressed persons identified under the stress check program to receive guidance from a physician, as well as meet with internal and external consultation offices, etc.
• Establish environments in which employees are comfortable approaching EAP^*3 consultation desks, both internally and externally, to access opportunities to resolve a wide range of concerns as early as possible.
• Have counselors approach employees based on daily mood changes (smartphone app)

*3EAP: Employee Assistance Program

Employees on Leave Due to Mental or Physical Reasons (Hitachi Group companies in Japan)

Note : Percentage of employees taking sick leave for seven or more consecutive days and taking formal leave (number of employees taking sick leave per month/number of employees per month × 100)

Addressing Mental Health

Activities

Hitachi has established measures to address mental health for employees, workplace managers, occupational healthcare workers, health and safety divisions, and human resources divisions. We communicate basic mental health knowledge and understanding of ways to deal with stress and raise the ability of those in positions of authority to respond to these issues. The mental illness incidence rate among employees in fiscal 2023 was 0.84%, therefore we continue to take a proactive approach to increases in mental strain caused by workstyle changes, diversity, etc.

(1) Regular one-on-one interviews
(2) Expand system for remote consultations with occupational physicians
(3) Offer EAP consultation desks
(4) Individual interviews with employees who are stationed at customer company
(5) Tips for working from home posted on the intranet
(6) Identification of health issues using a survey of employees working from home
(7) Implement approaches to encourage consultations and interviews with internal/external consultations offices for high-stress individuals identified by stress checks
(8) Provide a handbook for care by line managers when working from home
(9) Provide e-learning contents related to self-care and care by line managers in light of changes in work styles

We will also clarify which target levels require special attention based on our global employee survey and the opinions of occupational physicians, taking an effective and active approach to self-care and line care.

Promoting Collabo-Health

Activities

Group companies in Japan carry out a variety of health improvement initiatives, including Collabo-Health^*1, according to their own unique characteristics. Further, group companies in Japan strive to maintain and improve the health of employees by taking full advantage of the services offered by the Hitachi Health Insurance Society^*2. Hitachi also ensures that all group companies become certified under the Health and Productivity Management Organization Recognition Program of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. We evaluate health promotion initiatives on an annual basis, giving recognition to the most accomplished companies and BUs within the group to heighten motivation among business owners and employees to pursue such activities.

*1 Collabo-Health: A concept involving insurers, such as the Health Insurance Society, who work proactively with business owners to establish a clear division of labor and form positive working environments that prevent illness and improve the health of insured persons (employees and their families) effectively and efficiently.

*2 Hitachi Health Insurance Society: Hitachi Group employees and their families are members of this organization which is one of Japan’s largest health insurance associations. As of the end of March 2024, there were 167 participating corporations and 378,540 insured persons (197,399 members and 181,141 dependents).

Number of Hitachi Health Insurance Society Member Corporations Certified Under the Health and Productivity Management Organization Recognition Program
(Hitachi Group companies in Japan)

Encouraging Employees to Receive Medical Exams and Quit Smoking

Activities

In Japan, Hitachi has established a system that offers financial support for medical exams by the Health Insurance Society. We encourage employees aged 35 and over to receive general physical and other exams specified under law, as well as targeted screening based on age, for the early diagnosis and treatment of lifestyle-related diseases, cancer, etc.
Furthermore, as a response to the rise in metabolic syndrome, and in addition to special health guidance made compulsory for the Health Insurance Society, we pursue policies to prevent and control conditions such as diabetes, cerebral strokes, and myocardial infarctions. In fiscal 2023, we offered two smoking cessation programs, Minchare and Light Smoking, to mitigate the reluctance to visit smoking cessation outpatient clinics due to COVID-19 and promote smoking cessation for employees working at home. A total of 1,135 individuals participated in the program, and 52.3%, or 594 people, quit smoking—far more than results from outpatient smoking cessation clinics.

Health Promotion Initiatives for Employees and Their Families

Activities

To encourage healthy lifestyles among employees and their families, the Hitachi Health Insurance Society established a portal site for individuals called MY HEALTH WEB. By providing information on health exam results and a system of incentive points allowing employees to receive rewards for entering health-related activities, the site raises health awareness, helps employees understand the state of their own health, and offers a range of support for adopting healthier lifestyles.
In fiscal 2022, Hitachi began using Risk Simulator, a service that predicts the risk of hospitalization for eight major diseases based on the results of employee and family health checkups, with approximately 70,000 people taking advantage of the service in fiscal 2023.
Moreover, we held two walking campaigns in the spring and fall for approximately 80 to 100 days with the MY HEALTH WALKING program provided by MY HEALTH WEB, with approximately 40,000 people taking part in each event. Additionally, to encourage regular checkups, we also offer an online service that allows employees and their families to make appointments for medical examinations using MY HEALTH WEB. By creating an environment in which we can provide a variety of health services aimed at improving health literacy, the employee registration rate for MY HEALTH WEB has surpassed 80%.
In addition, to encourage spouses and other dependents to undergo health checkups, Hitachi is using smartphone app to provide health information and make appointments, with approximately 32,000 people having registered for this service.

Addressing Infection Prevention and Other Global Health Issues

Activities

Hitachi endeavors to prevent the spread of infectious disease overseas, including COVID-19. To this end, we provide information for employees posted overseas and business travelers regarding vaccinations for hepatitis A, tetanus, cholera, etc., according to the health conditions in the destination country. We also offer vaccinations at in-house health management centers or outside medical institutions. We also post information on the Hitachi Group intranet to help travelers and their families to live safely, providing warnings for personnel living overseas about infectious diseases including malaria, one of the three major infectious diseases in the world. Information includes descriptions of symptoms, prevention, and what to do if one contracts a disease.
In Japan, the Health Insurance Society also offers an incentive point system to reward influenza vaccine recipients, including employee family members, with the aim of preventing influenza outbreaks in the workplace. Moreover, as an initiative to prevent contracting influenza, we recommend employees get vaccinated prior to the flu season. Nearly 80,000 employees and their families take advantage of the program every year.

Health and Safety Considerations for Nuclear Businesses

Activities

Since 2008, Hitachi has worked with the world’s leading nuclear power plant operators to develop voluntary, private principles of conduct covering the export of nuclear power plants and reactors. The Nuclear Power Plant and Reactor Exporters’ Principles of Conduct were formally announced on September 15, 2011.
We perform thorough exposure management based on internal management systems and perform evaluation of radiation damage (dose management) for employees and other persons employed at nuclear sites under the Hitachi Group umbrella. For health management in particular, our management indicators for radiation exposure are stricter than those set by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. We monitor physical and mental health along with exposure doses for employees and employees of partner companies. An occupational physician from Hitachi visits sites to perform examinations and offer health advice.

Nuclear Power Plant and Reactor Exporters’ Principles of Conduct

Note : Hitachi normally refers to suppliers (including vendors or providers) as procurement partners who build business together on an equal footing.