Finland Times

Two Finnish companies have scored well in the European Good Practices competition organised by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. 

 

The competition is aimed at improving the visibility of projects under which corporate managements and staffs act together to advance occupational health and occupational safety, said a government press release.

 

The Muurame unit of Oy SKF Ab turned out as one of the winners of the Good Practice award while Lujatalo Oy received an honorary mention.

 

Oy SKF Ab has been involved in the ‘Hyvä työ - Pidempi työura’ (Good work - a longer career) development project of Teknologiateollisuus aimed at advancing occupational welfare of the staff and prolonging their career. 

 

Occupational welfare and working ability improved when the company involved the entire production staff in its developmental discussions and organised training for both the managers and the staffers to improve their communication skills and reform the way developmental discussions were held.

 

Additionally, meeting practices were changed to offer better support in communication and increase the ability to give feedback.

 

Based on the follow-up results, Oy SKF Ab witnessed significant improvement in the occupational welfare of workers under 35. Workplace cooperation improved as well.

 

In the Lujavire activities of Lujatalo Oy, the intent was reducing the burden of construction work and improving the team spirit of the workers at the same time. This was successful.

 

The activities included training and evaluation of burdening factors of work. New working habits and methods have been put into use, resulting in a reduction in the work burden and making the work easier.

 

The number of days spent off-work for sickness declined in case of the participants of Lujavire activities as did the musculoskeletal disorders.

 

Considerable improvement was noted in work motivation, work commitment and team spirit.

 

This has been the 11th the European Good Practices competition, which is a part of the Healthy Work campaign.

 

The theme of the campaign for the year 2012-2013 is ‘Working together for risk prevention’.