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Occupational Health and Safety

Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Policy

Safety

The Company is working to secure, maintain, and improve a working environment where people can work safely and healthily as a foundation for realizing its Purpose. To promote these efforts, we have stipulated the following action guidelines in the NEC Group Safety and Health Policy. This policy is approved by the CHRO, who is the corporate officer responsible, and it is applied not only to NEC’s officers and employees, but also to all people involved with NEC’s businesses and any other parties whose health and safety should be considered.

Basic Philosophy

The NEC Group will work to ensure, maintain, and improve a safe and healthy working environment as the foundation for realizing our Purpose.

Code of Conduct

The Company:

  • provides safe and healthy working conditions and environments to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses
  • will autonomously strive to ensure safety and health in accordance with diverse working environments
  • will promote the establishment of health and safety targets, elimination of hazardous sources, and reduction of risks, with the aim of achieving zero occupational accidents, and
  • continue to improve our health and safety management system
  • will comply with laws, regulations and other agreements
  • will actively discuss and participate in health and safety activities
  • will ensure that all employees understand and practice their health and safety obligations
  • will actively disclose information concerning health and safety activities

We, who work for the NEC Group:

  • will autonomously strive to ensure safety and health in accordance with diverse working environments
  • will comply with laws, regulations and other requirements
  • will actively discuss and participate in health and safety activities

NEC has also formulated the Occupational Health & Safety Management Regulations as part of efforts to enhance the quality of its health and safety activities, and has established the NEC Group OH&S Management System, as well as conducting risk assessment and monitoring, and prevention and countermeasures. In the wider NEC Group, NEC Solutions (China) Co., Ltd. and NEC (UK) Ltd. have acquired ISO 45001 certification.

Occupational Health and Safety Management in Construction and Installation Work

Health

In fiscal 2020, NEC established the NEC Group Health Declaration. Rather than simply focusing on the prevention of illness among employees, the declaration calls for efforts to improve the health of employees so that they work with mental and physical vitality and achieve self-actualization. In this way, the Group aims to create even more social value.

NEC Group Health Declaration

Better Condition, Better Life
—Better Individual Lives Make a Richer Society—

We will create an environment in which employees can work with enthusiasm toward their dreams, and a culture in which employees and members of their family can look after their own physical condition and take care of their health. Harnessing the health and vitality of all our employees.

We carry out a variety of health promotion activities driven by the slogan “Better Condition, Better Life.” These activities are conducted under that slogan based on three policies—Literacy, Practice, and Technology— and we seek to reform health awareness, change behavior, and support people in maintaining their behavioral changes.

In recognition of such initiatives, NEC was included in the 2022 Health & Productivity Stock Selection and received certification as a Health and Productivity Management Organization in 2023 (White 500) from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Through health and productivity management, beginning from fiscal 2022, we will heighten job satisfaction and our employee engagement score and become an employer of choice, which is a goal of the Mid-term Management Plan 2025.

The logo of  2022 Health & Productivity Stock Selection and Health and Productivity Management Organization in 2023 (White 500)

Medium- to Long-term Targets, Priority Activities and Progress, Achievements, and Issues

Medium- to Long-term Targets and Priority Activities

(Scope: NEC Corporation unless otherwise specified) Period: April 2021 to March 2026

  1. Maintain OH&S levels in a diverse work environment
  2. Utilize health data (regular health checkup results, stress check results, etc.) strategically to clarify organizational issues and build a cycle for implementing and evaluating measures

FY2023 Goals, Progress, Achievements and Issues, and FY2024 Goals

FY2023 Goals

  1. Maintain OH&S levels in a diverse work environment
    • Raise the completion rate of Companywide online health and safety education (90% or higher)
    • Pre-empt hazardous situations by conducting proactive risk assessments of safe construction processes
  2. Utilize health data strategically to clarify organizational issues and build a cycle for implementing and evaluating measures
    • Establish indicators to evaluate health across the organization
    • Maintain certification as a Health & Productivity Stock Selected Company

Progress, Achievements and Issues

  1. Maintain OH&S levels in a diverse work environment
    • Increased Companywide completion rate of online occupational health and safety training to 85.3% (18,516 people)
  2. Utilize health data strategically to clarify organizational issues and build a cycle for implementing and evaluating measures
    • Multifaceted preliminary examinations to evaluate health levels across the organization
    • Maintain certification as a Health and Productivity Management Organization (White 500)

FY2024 Goals

  1. Maintain OH&S levels in a diverse work environment
    • Raise the completion rate of Companywide online health and safety education (90% or higher)
    • Increase the number of near-miss report submissions (10% increase)
    • Monitor the Group’s global health and safety activity status (once a year)
    • Conduct regular management status surveys of Group company employees in Japan and abroad regarding human rights and occupational health and safety
  2. Utilize health data strategically to clarify organizational issues and build a cycle for implementing and evaluating measures
    • Add and standardize questions about social health and emotional health in Pulse Surveys
    • Certification as a Health and Productivity Management Organization (White 500) and re-certification as a Health & Productivity Stock

Occupational Health and Safety System

The Human Resources and General Affairs Department establishes targets and key measures for the fiscal year in accordance with NEC’s Companywide OH&S Policy Action Guidelines and the NEC Group Health Declaration. To realize these targets and measures, the department operates a management system for preparing and implementing specific measures for each in-house geographical area, business site, and consolidated subsidiary in Japan, and for conducting internal audits and reviews. Particularly with regard to health and productivity management, the People Success Group and Wellness Promotion Center of the Human Resources and General Affairs Department and the NEC Health Insurance Association act as a health promotion team for the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries in Japan. As well as conducting independent healthrelated activities, these organizations work in close collaboration and pool their data and expertise to advance initiatives.

Furthermore, to help us achieve the goals of the Mid-term Management Plan 2025, we set KPIs in consultation with the CHRO and based on the World Health Organization’s definition of health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.” Consequently, the KPIs now focus on social health along with our existing emphasis on physical and mental health. Under the direction of the CEO, the CHRO oversees activities related to occupational health and safety throughout the Company, including risk management, and reports on these activities to the Board of Directors.

The NEC Group’s Health and Productivity Management Implementation Framework

Occupational Health and Safety Management

Risk Management Regarding Occupational Health and Safety

NEC conducts risk identification and countermeasures based on the NEC Group OH&S Management System.

These initiatives are overseen by the Human Resources and General Affairs Department, with its internal organization, the Regional Affairs Department, which serves as a regional center handling routine matters by acting in the role of the promotion office. Specifically, the Regional Affairs Department holds health and safety committee meetings in each region and communicates details of their discussions and deliberations internally. It also receives inquiries from a wide range of employees and organizations as the internal contact desk.

Furthermore, labour union members also participate in a monthly worksite inspection conducted by an industrial physician, exchanging opinions with workplace representatives and gathering opinions. When new risks arise regarding health and disasters, the information is quickly gathered and used by the health and safety committees to make improvements.

Meanwhile, important matters such as a major disaster or pandemic are handled by the Business Strategy Committee attended by corporate management, such as the president or directors. The committee decides on important themes each year, reviews the flow for countermeasures, and conducts exercises. (Our response to the pandemic is described in the section on “Business Continuity.”)

Furthermore, we provide a channel for exchanging information with subsidiaries abroad to share safety confirmation information during disasters and take steps to ensure workplace safety.

Status of Labour-Management Discussions Regarding Occupational Health and Safety (Status of Health and Safety Committees, Etc.)

At each business site and base, health and safety committees meet each month in line with laws and regulations to take action on ensuring health and safety and promoting comfortable workplace environments. Committee members include health and safety commissioners and labour union representatives selected by each division, along with employee representatives, and industrial healthcare staff (industrial physicians, public health nurses, and registered nurses). They share information on the status of labour accidents and the targets for each fiscal year, as well as discussing new health and safety countermeasures and health-related measures, among others.

Training and Awareness-Raising Regarding Occupational Health and Safety

OH&S training rates and training completion rates are as follows.

Status of Labour Accidents and Disasters

Trend in Status of Labour Accidents and Disasters

Labour accidents at NEC Corporation are mostly minor, such as tripping on stairs at train stations or falling on the street during business trips or sales calls. As such, there have been no major accidents.

In addition, we have not identified any instances of serious violations of laws and regulations from related organizations.

When a labour accident occurs, the person responsible for monitoring labour accidents checks on the status of the person or persons affected by the accident, determines the cause, and implements measures to prevent a recurrence as needed, as laid out in the Company’s escalation rules. Even for minor labour accidents such as tripping or falling, the details and countermeasures are shared throughout the Company via the OH&S Committee, the intranet, and other means. We strive to prevent labour accidents that could be caused by natural disasters, for example, calling on employees to remain at home or to return home early if a typhoon or heavy snowfall is forecast.

Trends in Frequency Rate and Severity Rate

Response to Serious Global Health and Safety Issues

Countermeasures for Transmissible Diseases and Response to COVID-19

Countermeasures for Transmissible Diseases

At NEC, we have established a consultation window on transmissible diseases at wellness promotion centers, and we also use our intranet to provide information about how to prevent transmission and to remind people to exercise caution. In addition, we provide financial assistance for seasonal influenza vaccinations and various other types of vaccination as part of infection prevention countermeasures.

When employees are sent on assignment abroad, we make them aware of the need to be careful and receive vaccinations for transmissible diseases that are commonly seen in the local area, including transmissible diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria that are required to be reported. In addition, we pay careful attention to employees’ health management during transit and on their return to Japan.

Response to COVID-19

Health Management

Results and Medium-term Targets for Health Management Initiatives (As of March 31, 2023) Results for FY2022 Results for FY2023 Targets for FY2026
Employees absent for mental health reasons1 0.92% 0.92% 0.82%
Percentage of smokers2 16.8% 16.3% 10.0%
Obesity percentage (BMI≧25) Men (Aged 20–69)2 35.1% 35.0% 28.0%
Obesity percentage (BMI≧25) Women (Aged 40–69)2 22.3% 23.0% 19.0%
Percentage who have had cancer screening(The figure of FY2023 is forecast)3 42.0% 51.9% 50.0%
  • 1.
    Scope: NEC Corporation
  • 2.
    Scope: NEC Corporation and 24 consolidated subsidiaries in Japan
  • 3.
    Scope: NEC Corporation and 27 companies belonging to the NEC Health Insurance Association

Overview of Health Management (Health Promotion)

NEC is working to promote health through the following initiatives.

Health Checkups

We provide blood tests for all employees of NEC Corporation and 24 affiliated companies in Japan, including all items covered in the regular health examination, with the goal of identifying lifestyle diseases at an early stage and responding quickly. This enables us to implement comprehensive countermeasures against lifestyle diseases right through from joining the Company to retirement.

Health Checkup Forecast Simulation

Approximately 60,000 NEC Group employees have been offered an online service that enables them to simulate their future health risks and learn what would happen if they improved their current lifestyle.

Health Promotion Events

In fiscal 2023, we held 13 events, including exercise seminars conducted by professional trainers and lectures on diet, sleep, and cancer held by experts and industrial physicians. 18,406 people attended the events.

Smoking Cessation

  • NEC supports employees who wish to quit smoking, as it has been scientifically proven that smoking is harmful to one’s health and runs counter to health promotion.
  • NEC Corporation and affiliated companies in Japan phased in a full smoking ban covering all NEC Group sites in fiscal 2024.
  • NEC has instituted an “NEC No Tobacco Day” in conjunction with the World Health Organization’s “World No Tobacco Day” to promote smoking cessation.

Measures against Cancer

In fiscal 2023, awareness-raising activities included inviting industrial physicians to conduct four seminars on themes ranging from cancer prevention through to treatment and support for employees receiving treatment. A total of 3,707 people attended the seminars.

To support those working while concurrently receiving treatment, in May 2018 we formulated guidelines covering the Company’s position, direction, points for employees and supervisors to be aware of, and so forth. Depending on the situation, we will support individual employees receiving treatment by coordinating with them, their workplaces, wellness promotion centers, and the Human Resources and General Affairs Department.

Health Support for Young Employees

NEC Corporation and 24 affiliated companies in Japan are implementing the following initiatives designed mainly to foster a self-care mindset.

Newly hired employees: a talk given by an industrial physician soon after joining the Company, and “freshers’ interview” health guidance provided by health nurses and clinical nurses after assignment.
27-year-olds: everyone is interviewed.
30-year-olds: “Health College 30” participatory group training.

Communication of Various Health-related Information

  • Each month we provide monthly “Health News” information that can be implemented straight away using an intranet portal, digital signage, the labour union email magazine, and various other media and forums such as the health and safety committee meetings.

Initiatives for Preventing Lifestyle-related Diseases

We implement the following initiatives to prevent lifestyle-related diseases at NEC Corporation and 24 affiliated companies in Japan.

  • For employees who are recommended to receive medical examinations by industrial physicians health guidance that is confirmed by the Human Resources and General Affairs Department is provided by industrial physicians and public health nurses.
  • For employees whose specific diagnostic results indicate metabolic syndrome or potential metabolic conditions, we provide support with health guidance for those aged 30 and over in addition to those in the legally mandated age bracket of 40 and over.
  • To further enable self-treatment and encourage health promotion activities among employees and their families, the NEC Health Insurance Association operates the health portal HAPPYLTH (a points-based health program) and has posted 15 online videos themed on sleep, diet, and exercise.

Addressing Women’s Health

  • We have conducted seminars on general women’s health, and seminars to spread awareness of types of cancer that affect women in particular.
  • In fiscal 2022, we provided video content and discount coupons that can be used at various medical institutions for fertility treatments or other items. These services have been introduced in response to the three policies put forth by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to support diversity in health management (improvement of literacy, establishment of a consultation desk, and a comfortable work environment). (number of people who viewed video content in fiscal 2023: 4,006)
  • We will add upon the aforementioned initiatives by establishing a consultation desk dedicated to women’s health issues within the Company.
  • We participated in trial projects related to pregnancy and fertility treatment, provide pregnancy support and foster a corporate culture through awareness raising, provide personal care services including medical examinations and encourage treatment.

Mental Health Measures

We position mental healthcare as a key healthcare priority, and we are creating a healthy workplace by maintaining the mental health of our employees.

  • Web-based training completion rate: 96.2% (target: NEC Corporation and 12 consolidated subsidiaries in Japan)
  • Mental health training for managers
  • Stress checks
  • Mental Health Support Program
  • Return-to-work support program
  • Consultation desks (in-house/external)

NEC Health Insurance Association System

Measures against Cancer

In collaboration with the NEC Health Insurance Association, we have established an environment that allows employees to receive the same screening tests as they would at an external medical institution for a lower self-coverage cost, and to take the examinations during work hours. In fiscal 2023, we carried out measures to increase the rate of cancer diagnostic testing by providing a course of tests nationwide, including regular health examinations, to make it easier for people to undergo cancer screenings. As a result, testing locations were significantly increased and it was made possible to undergo regular health examinations and cancer screening tests at the same time. These measures have significantly increased the NEC Group’s cancer screening test rate, from 42.0% to a projected 51.9%.

Smoking Cessation Measures

In collaboration with the NEC Health Insurance Association, we provide an online Quit Smoking Program, which offers employees free outpatient consultations with a doctor about quitting smoking.

Dental Examinations

Employees have access to free dental checkups, which are provided based on a contract with the NEC Health Insurance Association.