Progress against objectives
| Objectives 2006–2008 | Progress in 2007 | Plans for 2008 |
|---|---|---|
| – Review of H&S reporting to LI Board. | – Completed. | – Continue H&S reporting and monitor effectiveness. |
| – Maintain the excellent H&S performance and low level of incidents. | – Achieved. | – Maintain performance. – Share best practice with business partners. |
What we do
Liberty International places the highest importance on the Health and Safety (’H&S’) of its employees, occupiers and shoppers. We are committed to delivering high standards across all aspects of our operations and are acutely aware of the paramount need to offer our shopping public a secure and safe environment in which to shop. Every practical step is taken to achieve this objective and we work with the local police and industry bodies to ensure we respond to heightened security alerts.
Our H&S policy is overseen by the Board and implemented through an H&S management system which promotes a strong culture of safety consciousness across the organisation. Currently, we have three H&S Committees comprising representatives from all levels of the business. The roles of the committee are to review new legislation, oversee H&S progress and review a full accident report. Additionally, an H&S Forum is established in each shopping centre.
We continue to work to ensure that the disabled facilities in our properties meet the requirements of our shoppers and occupiers. We upgrade our facilities whenever possible and we believe all our premises are DDA compliant. Asbestos Management Plans are in place in all properties; external audits have been undertaken and all recorded asbestos is now confined to ‘low risk’.
We have a programme of H&S awareness training; such issues form part of our induction procedures and are reinforced through additional job related courses. Members of the committees are expected to undertake training to a level of knowledge in H&S matters sufficient for their particular role.
Monitoring
Following the 2006 review of our H&S management and the processes of reporting to the Board, we have been monitoring the revisions made to the then existing policies and procedures. As potential issues arise through the monitoring process, we review the factors surrounding them and modify procedures accordingly. If there is an underlying issue, brought about by changes in statute, case-law or best-practice thinking, we amend the policies accordingly. The process of more formal reporting at more regular intervals has streamlined our ability to incorporate necessary changes.
Reporting of urgent or serious matters is, as before, through line management to the Board as and when an incident arises. We believe that we comply with all relevant legislation and have processes in place to monitor any future changes to enable adequate advanced planning. Staff at our shopping centres have access to an on-line database maintained by our specialist advisors to keep them fully aware of forthcoming changes in legislation.
Performance
Our performance is monitored by independent external advisers. We keep detailed records of any accidents and are pleased to report that our low level of incidents has continued in 2007 in our directly managed shopping centres and commercial properties. Whilst, with over 225 million customer visits per annum to our shopping centres, minor ‘slips and trips’ inevitably occur, reportable (RIDDOR) accidents for 2007 have reduced to 20 (2006 - 29). In respect of our 337 UK employees there were no reportable accidents (2006 - 3). This is encouraging, but we are not complacent and our target remains to continue to work to improve still further the low level of incidents.
External contractors engaged at our shopping centres and other properties, including those engaged by tenants in our shopping centres, are required to provide full details of their competence to undertake the work before being granted a ‘permit to work’ by our management team.
An external consultant carries out annual review visits to all directly managed UK shopping centres and, in addition, unannounced visits are undertaken in order to audit the due diligence file and to check that the interactive web-based H&S management system is being operated properly.
Business Partnerships
Businesses with whom we work, or in which we have invested, have their own H&S programmes.
We stress our commitment to H&S matters to our partners and seek to work with them to achieve compliance with best practice. We want to ensure that the high standards we set ourselves are reflected in all our business activities.
It is our intention during 2008 to develop a liaison programme with our partners to share our experiences and add to our mutual understanding of H&S best practice.
