Formal trainings on firefighting skills, first aid skills and emergency evacuation drills conducted quarterlyand are incorporated in the SHE managementand implementation program.
At the Nairobi manufacturing facility we operate in compliance with the legislation and regulations governing Kenyan territory mainly Occupation Health and Safety, Act 2007,NEMA regulations, Water management act, Waste management act and Pharmacy and Poisons Act(Cap 244).
From the Aspen group SHE perspective plans are in progress to improve SHE management compliance to OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001-these are internationally recognized systems of occupational health and safety and environment management respectively.
Structured waste management processes are implemented. Continual improvement initiations are undertaken on the waste handling procedures.
As per the Cap 244, the Pharmacy and Poisons Act, Laws of Kenya, allpharmaceutical waste must be handled responsibly owing to the security risk around pharmaceutical products. Incineration still remains the main disposal method for pharmaceutical and hazardous waste. Waste recycling opportunities are being explored for non-hazardous waste.
The central waste yard at Beta has been redesigned for more efficient handling and compliance to theapplicable waste management Act and to the Aspenstandards for waste management.t.
The manufacturing facility aims to limit the Disabling Injury Frequency Ratio (DIFR) to less than one.
No permanent injury arose during the years 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Below is a summary of accident rates:
|
|
DIFR |
Steps taken to improve health &safety |
|
Year 2012/2013 |
0.92 |
SHE training and awareness |
|
Year 2013/2014 |
0.66 |
SHE training and safety signage
|
Initiatives are taken for emissions measurement and monitoring by conducting air sampling and analysis. The refrigerants R22 and R134a used in the HVAC and cooling systems is quantified and reported. To date greenhouse gas emissions guideline is under development at the group SHE level.
Electricity and fuel are the main sources of energy used. Steam is generated internally. Electricity represents the main source of energy for production. Energy consumption is measured and monitored on monthly basis.
All water used at Beta is supplied from municipal sources. A total of 12677KL was consumed in the year 2013-2014, at the rate consumption per unit produced of 0.00158KL/unit, which will act as benchmark for continual improvement of water use efficiency.
Quality of water discharge from the facility complies with municipal standards.
Eco-balance is a key issue in the current discussions and in saving our planet. Depletion of fossil fuels CO2 emissions and global warming are a threat to our ecologic and economic balance.
Our company aims to contribute to ensuring eco-balance by taking initiatives towards energy saving and low carbon emissions. Environmental management protocols are being developed in accordance with ISO 14001 to enable the company to participate in Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) in a near future.
Beta Healthcare, being an Aspen Group company, is part of the group plan to participate in Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) scope 1&2.However, it is deemed appropriate to participate in CDP once environmental management indicators are consistently measured and verified. Currently, the company has initiated measurements and monitoring process by conducting air sampling studies to acquire baseline information on quality and level of current emissions using guidelines provided by the group SHE
