Management approach

GRI 403–1, 403–4

The implementation of new instruments and measures to prevent workplace injuries within Russian Railways’ health and safety management system helps to reduce the annual workplace injury frequency rates regardless of severity.

The core document that sets out the Company’s goals and objectives in this field is the Health, Environmental, Industrial and Fire Safety “Policy of the Russian Railways Group”Russian Railways’ Order No. 102/r dated 21 January 2020..

One of the key health and safety goals for Russian Railways is improvement of working conditions:

  • construction, upgrade, and repairs of sanitary amenities and facilities
  • equipping of heating units and lunch rooms;
  • installation, upgrade, and repairs of lighting and ventilation systems, etc;
  • equipment of locomotive cabs with improved durability glasses, vibration isolated seats, etc;
  • reduction in the share of manual labour, including work to mechanise operations, track maintenance and construction.

On an annual basis, health and safety activities account for at least 0.7% of Russian Railways’ total annual expenses by main type of activity net of the costs related to workwear, footwear, other PPE, and medical check-ups.

Below are some of the Company’s steps to improve working conditions and occupational safety.

  • State-of-the-art certified PPE helps considerably reduce occupational morbidity and workplace injury rates. Russian Railways complies with Model Industry Standards for Free Provision of Workwear, Footwear and Other Personal Protective Equipment to Employees of Federal Railway Enterprises.
  • Reduction in workplace injury rates, inter alia, by removing employees from hazardous operating areas and by implementing technical solutions that prevent injuries.
  • Reduction in occupational morbidity. To that end, mobile occupational pathology and occupational suitability expertise centres are set up at hospitals of the railways’ sector, with modern medications and latest diagnostics and treatment equipment in place to early identify occupational diseases and take measures as needed.

The Company’s environmental, industrial, and fire safety is underpinned by the following practices:

  • the Safety First rule, with safety placed above other performance indicators;
  • employees receiving training and improving their skills and competencies in health and safety;
  • individual and collective responsibility for compliance with health and safety principles nourished and promoted;
  • each employee aware of their individual responsibility for compliance with health and safety principles;
  • health and safety risks managed.