Health and Safety

Workers' Health and Safety as a priority

Ferrovial works to create risk-free environments by developing action plans under a target zero vision and the principle that all accidents are preventable.

Target Zero accidents. This is Ferrovial’s overriding objective when it comes to occupational health and safety. The Management has embodied the company’s commitment in a Health and Safety Policy and it is also reflected in the company’s Health and Safety Strategy.

Seguridad Salud BN

STRATEGY

In 2018, the Board of Directors commissioned an external assessment of Ferrovial’s Health and Safety Strategy. The purpose was to verify the appropriateness of the strategy and to identify possible areas for improvement on the path to accomplishing the Zero Harm vision defined in the Health and Safety Policy and also to become a benchmark company within its sphere of action.

The assessment revealed that the company’s strengths include its firm vision on health and safety; the high degree of standardization of the reporting and communication process; and the existence of a specific Corporate Action Plan allowing the business units to roll out their own actions in response to specific needs.

COMMITMENT BY THE MANAGEMENT

In 2015, the Board of Directors approved a new Health and Safety Policy for the whole company. The policy calls on the company to develop risk-free working environments, based on the conviction that all accidents are preventable.

The most senior executive officer at Ferrovial supervises functions and responsibilities relating to health and safety. The CEO regularly reports to the Board of Directors on this important matter. Meanwhile, the person responsible for health and safety at all the business units sits on the Business Committee.

Thanks to the commitment of the Management and all employees and because of the preventive measures adopted to date, the company has reported a continuous drop in accident rates in recent years.

INITIATIVES AND GOOD PRACTICE

The safety of workers is one of the main concerns when pursuing the Target Zero accidents objective. Highlight initiatives in 2018 included:

F-Safety, a corporate app that standardizes, improves and speeds up the process of gathering information relating to health and safety, enabling the company to rapidly spot areas for improvement and implement corrective measures.
FS H&S Point: a database of knowledge and good practices taken from over 100 experts in health and safety.
Safe for life: a prevention program implemented at Broadspectrum, with four strategic courses of action: visible leadership, effective communication, risk identification and control and organizational and personal resilience.
Zero Code at Amey: a simple work code that shows the actions and behavior to be observed by all workers and contractors so as to minimize the risk of accidents.
Awareness raising videos at Ferrovial Agroman to help show and explain corporate standards of health and safety to employees.

SAFETY LAB

Ferrovial’s new Strategic Innovation Plan, designed for the coming five years, has among its priorities the promotion of health and safety. Key initiatives here include the Safety Lab, an accelerator for new methodologies and technologies that can help improve the health and safety of workers, users of infrastructure and any other person who may be affected by the company’s activities in some shape or form.

The program should ultimately yield a state-of-the-art health and safety program; generate a stronger corporate safety culture; enable the sharing of knowledge, experiences and challenges; scale procedures and products accordingly within the organization; help to forge alliances with external partners; and encourage digitization on this important subject.

WORKERS’ WELL-BEING

Ferrovial believes that the health and well-being of its workers creates a healthier working climate, reduces absenteeism, increases productivity and reduces the risk of accidents, among other benefits. It has therefore implemented different programs and initiatives in line with the guidelines of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.

Aside from continuing to expand programs already implemented in previous years, such as HASAVI and Ferrovital, the company is committed to the following key projects:

First Aid for Mental Health at Broadspectrum: internally developed training scheme that aims to increase awareness of a wide range of mental health problems. The initiative helps participants identify the associated warning signs and symptoms and take appropriate steps to seek help when necessary.
Portable exoskeleton, an initiative implemented at Ferrovial Services Spain: a worker support device that generates extra energy when performing physical tasks to help avoid overexertion.
Well-being week, held at the central offices of Ferrovial Agroman. Within the framework of this initiative, practical workshops were held on a variety of issues, most notably the control of psychosocial factors: dealing with stress, relaxation techniques and time management. Other activities related to nutrition, food and knowledge of product labelling, active breaks and workstation ergonomics, as well as an initiation to sport.

ROAD SAFETY

Ferrovial remains firmly committed to road safety for both its workers and users of its infrastructure. Several initiatives were launched in 2018, including the DriveSmart project.

DriveSmart is a mobile app developed by Cintra that seeks to improve road safety. The app collects driving data from highway users for subsequent analysis, treatment and detection of driving habits, all with the aim of improving road safety and preventing accidents. At present it remains a pilot initiative deployed on the Terrassa-Manresa toll road to promote its use among drivers, both on the highway and in its areas of influence. Since this pilot test has yielded promising results, it has been extended to the Autopista del Sol toll road. This initiative reflects Cintra’s commitment to using new technologies to improve the health and safety of its workers and users.

Meanwhile, FBSerwis, the Polish subsidiary of Ferrovial Services, has developed SKOPI, a service to raise driver awareness and improve the safety of road maintenance operators. The initiative goes under the slogan of “Kill your speed! We’re working for you”. Drivers using the application receive an image and vibration notification on their mobile phones when they approach a part of the road undergoing construction work.

ACCIDENT FREQUENCY RATE ¹

10.3

ACCIDENT SEVERITY RATE ²

6.5

Year-on-year change in the ratio showing the number of accidents to have occurred during working hours and leading to medical leave, for every million hours worked. Does not include contractors.
Year-on-year change in the ratio showing the number of days lost as a result of occupational accidents for every thousand hours worked.
For more details see annex of GRI indicators, accident tables.