AVBOB Integrated Annual Report 2018

management level employees. • A structured bereavement course continues to be offered to the Funeral Agents, empowering them with the skills needed to support customers experiencing grief and loss. • Annual TB screening and flu vaccinations were administered during this period. • A low cost medical insurance, Health4Me, was introduced. • Free pilates classes were introduced as part of lifestyle improvement initiative. The EWP is producing the desired results of ensuring that employees, together with management, are contributing to a harm free and healthy approach in the work environment, as well as a greater awareness of the benefits of living a healthy and balanced lifestyle. For the 2018/2019 year we plan to: • encourage ongoing activities to promote a comprehensive approach to employee health and wellness; • intensify managerial training focusing on the various services available to assist in the people management aspect of the managers’ role i.e. formal referrals, managerial consultancy and assisted referrals; • introduce more gender-based violence workshops with the aim of improving awareness of the scourge of violence in the country; • intensify focus on disability and monitor incapacity cases; • intensify support of financial wellness and stress management workshops. Occupational Health and Safety issues The Group is committed to honouring its legal and moral obligations towards the safety and health of its employees as well as stakeholders, through creating and maintaining a safe and healthy work environment. Our emphasis on health and safety obligations towards our stakeholders as well as ongoing compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act is demonstrated by the following: • Training is provided to all new Health and Safety representatives that are appointed. Verification and allocation of designated Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) legal appointees occur on an ongoing basis. • Maintenance of all firefighting equipment at our business premises nationwide occurs on an annual basis. • Mortuaries are fitted with generators to comply with the requirements of the National Health Act. • A nationwide service level agreement is in place for the correct storage, collection and removal of medical waste from our mortuaries. • Designated managers and employees in the provinces attend basic first aid, fire marshal and SHE representative training courses on an ongoing basis, through an accredited training institution. • All relevant legislation is complied with through applicable governance structures. • Health and Safety Committees are established as required. • Monthly regional health and safety reports are consolidated and addressed by the Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) Department. • Quarterly Health and Safety Committee meetings are held and minutes with appropriate corrective measures are captured for identified problem areas. • Internal Audit and Compliance Departments provide a SHEQ report as part of the combined assurance model on a nationwide basis. • Bi-annual emergency evacuation drills are conducted at Head Office. 49