Environment, Health, and Safety
Meralco manages the economic, environmental, social and governance (EESG) issues of its business in a manner that underpins sustainability. We adopt a globally recognized standard/framework in reporting sustainability and non-financial issues through Meralco’s 2023 Sustainability Report.
In line with this, we are committed to provide our customers the best value in energy, products and services. This commitment includes protection of our environment and the promotion of safety and health among its employees and other stakeholders.
As such, our Company promotes safety as a way of life in Meralco by providing a safe and healthy working condition to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related illnesses among its employees and stakeholders and takes action and responsibility on climate change by preventing pollution through the optimization of the use of natural resources, minimization of wastes generated by processes and being an active partner in reforestation.
The Company continually improves its Environment, Health and Safety (ESH) system to be at par with global practices and in doing so, manages the impact of its operations, activities, products and services at all levels of the organization through an effective ESH planning integrated with the Company’s business processes.
Sustainable health and safety programs were developed to bolster safety culture within the Company. Programs were aligned with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) requirements such as incident reporting and recording, basic occupational safety and health training for line supervisors, and accreditation of safety practitioners.
An on-line safety inspection app was developed to empower employees to report hazards in the workplace. The Meralco ESH (environmental safety and health) Management system was recertified with the ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management System) and 45001:2018 (Occupational Health & Safety). standards.
Employee Engagement and Wellness is a holistic approach through the Company’s ORANGE FIT program that targets physical, mental and spiritual well-being. To develop physical wellness, the ORANGE FIT campaign has institutionalized sports clubs, after-work health programs (Zumba, Yoga, Cross-fit), employee sports events (sports fests, interoffice sports competition), the orange lane (to encourage walking in the Meralco Center), health reminders, and the use of the sports and health facilities.
Emotional and mental wellness are also elements of the ORANGE FIT campaign with the provision of in-house counselors and medical experts as well as access to the Zen Room made available to all employees through the Corporate Wellness Center. Spirituality is also of major importance as the Company ensures that different beliefs and religions have a place and venue for worship. More than 3,400 Meralco Employees actively participate in the different ORANGE FIT initiatives.
On the other hand, to help drive the sustainability of the Company and ensure a safe workplace, Meralco’s “TARGET ZERO: Zero Incident, Zero Harm” was launched in 2019 and immediately improved safety performance by significantly decreasing incident frequency and severity. This was supported by award-winning safety programs such as safety alerts, an improved Incident Report Management System and Daily Safety Huddles (DASH). Meralco also successfully transitioned to the new Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) ISO Management System (45001:2018).
As part of Meralco’s vision to be resilient in times of disaster, the Company partnered with various local government units and agencies through programs such as the Makati Shakeout Simex, the Metro Manila Shake Drill, the hosting of the 4th Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill, and the training of 17 Meralco Rescue Team Members and 31 Incident Response Team Members through TESDA. On the environment front, Meralco ensures compliance to all applicable laws and regulations.
All employees are required to attend the Mandatory 8-Hour Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Seminar to enable the participants to identify hazards, evaluate and correct them, so none of unsafe conditions or acts turn to life-threatening situations that may curb the Company’s productive output.
The OSH Seminar is in compliance with Section 16 (b) of Republic Act No. 11058 “An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof” and Section 3 of the Department Order No. 198-18 “Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 11058”.
The Company was invited to be part of the DOLE Technical Working Group and actively contributed to the development of the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 11058, also known as the New OSH Law intended to strengthen OSH practices and compliance in all workplaces in the country.
| Meralco Environment, Safety, and Health Policy |
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