The world's local bank
Health and safety
HSBC places the highest priority on the health and safety of its key asset, our employees. As such, risk control and the active maintenance of appropriate health and safety standards throughout HSBC remains a primary responsibility for all managers.
Corporate Real Estate - Health, Safety and Fire set policies and procedures for implementation by functional representatives in each country in which HSBC operates. A Safety Management System and Functional Instruction Manual provide the operating framework and an annual review process a springboard to continual improvement in health and safety standards overall.
Workplace accidents
Accidents are recorded, reported and investigated at a local level in each country with serious incidents reported to Corporate Real Estate – Health, Safety and Fire, Our accident procedures encompass the key requirements of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Code of Practice.
Group accident statistics
| Category | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
| Employee workplace fatalities | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Employee accidents involving more than three days' absence | 320 | 274 | 381 | 356 |
The accident incidence rate should be considered against the Group's increasing headcount. For example, the number of employees rose by 18,000 during 2007 against the 2006 figure of 312,000.
Avian flu
An avian flu pandemic Group Response Plan was endorsed by the Group Management Board in late 2005. Consequently, all country managers were instructed to start the local planning process in accordance with contingency planning guidelines for avian flu to ensure that HSBC Group is well prepared if a pandemic strikes. In planning we are assuming a worst-case scenario of 50 per cent of our workforce at any one time being unable to perform their roles, because of sickness, caring for family members or transport disruption.
2007 Sustainability Report
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