The number of work accidents halved. This was the ambitious goal when managers and employees at Danish Crown’s slaughterhouse in Ringsted decided in 2005 to focus on the number of accidents at their workplace.

Reduction of 50.4 per cent after one year
With Grontmij in Denmark as their working environment consultant, a targeted project was launched, and the results were apparent – a 50.4 per cent reduction in the number of work accidents followed after one year.

In the light of these good results, the project in Ringsted was extended by a further year. At the same time, Grontmij in Denmark entered into a similar partnership with Danish Crown in Rønne, which meant the Bornholm employees experienced 58.5 per cent fewer work accidents in 2006 compared with the previous year.

Both Ringsted and Rønne, in addition to a significant reduction in work accidents, have enjoyed a financial gain in the form of fewer employees taking days off due to sickness. Danish Crown in Ringsted saw a significant fall in the number of accidents in 2005, and the costs for sickness absence fell by as much as 80 per cent.

Motivating and supervisory consultant
Throughout the project, Grontmij in Denmark has participated as an idea generator, initiator, supervisor and motivator. Two consultants visited all the safety groups and subsequently reported back to the management and the groups themselves each month.

Production Director at Danish Crown Ringsted, Frode Laursen, explains:
“Instead of implementing the project alone, we chose to include Grontmij in Denmark as an external consultant from the start. If we had not done that, we would not have achieved so much in such a short time.”

Poul Henriksen, production manager at Danish Crown in Rønne, adds:
“The essence of the project has been to create focus and systematic follow-up, which Grontmij in Denmark, through various initiatives, has been responsible for. The increased focus has been good for our employees, our production activities and our output.”

Huge efforts with simple resources
Excellent results were achieved by involving all employees in the project through theme days and competitions and by focusing on indications of potential accidents in order to prevent actual accidents.

Humorous signs and posters were used to make the risk of work accidents clear and remind employees to be aware of dangerous situations and to use safety equipment consistently. The general tools of the project included focus, visibility, follow-up and cooperation – quite simple, but still incredibly effective.