Our Group wide health and safety management processes are based on the application of risk management techniques and on the Occupational Health and Safety Management Standard OHSAS18001. We use Group wide metrics to monitor performance, with quarterly summaries to the Executive Committee and an annual Board review.

Health and Safety Key Performance Indicators 2007 2006
All accidents per 100,000 hours worked 3.39 3.92
Lost time accidents* per 100,000 hours worked 0.33 0.43

* Lost time accidents are those where the employee is off work for at least 24 hours

In 2007, 33 lost time accidents were reported (2006: 43). Underlying accident trends reflect this improvement with the total number of accidents including lost time accidents, per 100,000 hours worked, also down on 2006. The working time lost due to accident or occupational ill health conditions for the year ended 31 March 2007 was 0.3 days per 1,000 days worked.

Manual handling activities, and slips, trips and falls continue to be the most frequent cause of accidents. These areas will be the focus of continuing accident reduction initiatives in 2007 including targeted investments in process improvements, employee training and workplace inspection processes.

The Group health and safety objectives for 2008 will continue to focus on accident reduction together with the development of safety auditing and external benchmarking.