The safety and health of our people is something we take very seriously. Throughout our operations, robust policies and practices are in place to ensure a safe working environment. Our health and safety policy demonstrates this progress and we continually strive to be world class in safety.
Our health and safety commitment states our people are our most valuable asset. Nothing is more important than their safety and well-being. Our co-workers and families rely on this commitment.
Salient Issue
Health and Safety
During our first formal human rights saliency assessment, we identified health and safety as one of our nine most important issues – those at risk of the most severe negative impact through Ford’s activities and business relationships.
Going forward, we’re taking steps to develop action plans to manage and remediate these issues, and to expand our reporting on them.
Our strong safety culture is supported by effective communication through multiple channels that engages employees and contractors in understanding and following our safety programs and policies. Our sites hold regular talks and events focusing on key safety issues. Employees are encouraged to report every injury, hazard or near-miss, so we can take appropriate corrective actions to prevent recurrences and create a safer workplace for all.
External benchmarking helps us achieve best-in-class performance. We participate in multi-industry groups, both in the automotive sector and beyond, which share information on safety practices and industry trends, and explore potential collaborations to address current issues.
Our Safety Record
Any loss of life or serious injury in our facilities is unacceptable and deeply regretted. In 2017, we experienced two fatalities, one involving a Ford employee, the other a contractor. Both occurred in North America. As with any workplace incident, the circumstances were analyzed in detail, with actions taken to prevent reoccurrence.
Another key safety indicator is lost-time case rate (LTCR). Our LTCR at the end of 2017 was 0.38. We are currently on target to meet our 2018 objective of 0.36. This metric measures the number of days away from work following a work-related injury or illness.
Our wellness vision is to foster knowledgeable employees, engaged in their own health and well-being, to Go Further at work, home and into retirement.
Tailored Offerings and Informed Choices
The health and well-being of our entire workforce is a key driver of performance at Ford. We provide resources to help individuals make informed choices when they are interacting with the health care system. In 2017, 80 percent of our U.S. salaried active employees participated in our annual wellness program. These are designed to help participants in our health plan gain a better understanding of their own health status and receive appropriate preventative care. Helping our employees to avoid serious diseases and manage chronic conditions effectively has a positive impact on both their quality of life and our success. And, as good habits tend to be shared between friends and family, promoting health among our employees can help develop healthier communities as well.
