Datatec has a Group-wide SHE policy, which is complemented by individual policies at each subsidiary to ensure compliance with local regulations. Management at each subsidiary is responsible for implementing and maintaining the policy throughout the organisation, and ensuring that health and safety considerations are given priority in planning and day-to-day supervision of work. The Group CEO delegates the responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment to a health and safety committee or nominated individuals at each subsidiary. Health and safety issues are collated by the committees, nominated individuals and the Company Secretary, who reports to the Board.
The subsidiary health and safety committees’ members are permanent, full-time employees acquainted with conditions and activities in the workplace. Each subsidiary elects the health and safety committee, including representatives from human resources and each division. The committees are responsible for:
Employees are responsible for taking reasonable care of their own health, carrying out lawful orders in terms of health and safety, and complying with notices, instructions, hazard and warning signs. Furthermore, it is their responsibility to report any safety risk and any accident, injury or health and safety incident to the designated health and safety representative or human resources manager.
The approach to health and wellness is on a per region/operation basis, in keeping with the decentralised management model of the Group. At most operations employees are afforded health schemes with the operations contributing the entire or part of the employee membership fee.
Westcon continually updates its assessment of health and safety across their global business. Westcon has embarked on a global compliance programme for meeting local and regional legislation, and developing a consistent and best practice approach with the development of an internal benchmarking audit performance programme. This programme consists of formal reviews incorporating equipment, facilities, programmes and implementation against regional and country regulations. Corrective actions/improvements are continually being developed and implemented for identified deficiencies.
In addition, a global business compliance council has been created to address local legislation and best practices in Health and Safety, Environment, Business Continuity, and Quality & Security Standards. Westcon also has developed and tested emergency plans as part of an overall Business Continuity strategy.
Logicalis recognises its obligation to reduce the risk of injury in the work environment and to provide a clean and safe place to work. Logicalis undertakes to comply with health and safety regulations as set out in the jurisdictions in which Logicalis operates around the world.
Each Logicalis operation has its own health and safety policy which is consistent with best practice in the applicable jurisdiction, and regularly undertakes programmes and procedures to mitigate health and safety risks, such as risk assessments and safety audits.
Logicalis also ensures that the appropriate health and safety training is provided for its employees for the role that they perform, which includes, where appropriate, the training of first aiders and fire marshals.
During the year, Logicalis launched its group-wide online Code of Conduct training which covers the responsibilities of Logicalis as an employer and all Logicalis employees with regard to health and safety in the workplace. This training was completed by all employees in the fourth quarter of FY15 and will be updated on an annual basis.
Analysys Mason has its own health and safety policy, approved by Datatec. This is published on the company’s intranet, posted on notice boards in each office and covered during induction training. Risk assessments are carried out on a regular basis and safety audits are carried out annually. There have been no issues of concern to date. Health and safety training is ongoing to maintain up-to-date certifications for first aiders and fire marshals.
Mason Advisory’s health and safety policy is part of their accredited ISO 9001 quality management system and is available to staff via the intranet. Mason Advisory retains the services of a qualified third party to ensure that risk assessments are undertaken and that staff receive appropriate training. As a consultancy business, the day-to-day risks may appear minimal; however, Mason Advisory ensures the team remains vigilant and that administrative staff are mindful of issues that may emerge in the office environment.
Via does not currently have a formal health and safety policy. Via does provide employee health coverage and maintains commercial office space that meets or exceeds all regulatory requirements for safety and accessibility.
The head office continues to meet or exceed the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 (“OHS”) requirements. Datatec requested an OHS review which was conducted on the Datatec head office by Uni-Excellens, specialists in OHS consulting. As a result of the review, training has been organised for first aiders, fire marshals and evacuation wardens. An emergency co-ordinator has also been appointed, who, alongside the OHS manager, will be responsible for health and safety at the head office.
The head office was identified as a low impact environment due to it being predominately office-based.
No incidents relating to health and safety have been reported at the Datatec head office during the year.
The increased use of IT in recent years has led to increased usage of energy and the generation of carbon dioxide. As a responsible corporate citizen operating in the ICT market, Datatec has a duty to help minimise energy use. By improving the efficiency of IT systems and networks Datatec can contribute to “green IT” by helping clients become greener in their use of IT.
Some examples of how Datatec can provide more efficient IT systems include:
In addition to assisting customers to enhance their sustainability, Datatec strives to minimise its own emissions of carbon dioxide by applying the principles of green IT in its own business as part of its environmental policy.
A formal environmental policy is in place and is applied throughout the Group. The main environmental objectives contained in the policy include:
Westcon is driven by a commitment to act responsibly, in an effort to minimise the impact of commercial activities on the environment. For this reason, Westcon encourages every operation across the globe to pursue initiatives with the goal of improving the quality of life in local communities.
Westcon is of the opinion that responsible business practices significantly benefit the environment, but also help accelerate new business, drive cost-effective strategies, and enhance loyalty. Westcon understands its role as a responsible global corporate citizen and regularly works alongside employees, suppliers, customers, the public and environmental agencies to incorporate these efforts into its overall business strategy.
Westcon aims to comply with all environmental legislation across every region. It works to foster an “environmentally conscious” culture by providing employees with appropriate information and support to ensure all work is done with a consideration of the environment. Westcon seeks to effectively maintain its plants and machinery to decrease environmental risks and recycle materials where possible. Its teams focus on implementing processes that assess and improve good environmental practices and encourage both internal and external communications related to performance of these practices.
Examples of how Westcon promotes environmental awareness and sustainability include:
As a responsible international provider of IT solutions, Logicalis seeks to measure and minimise the way in which its commercial activities may impact the environment. Logicalis is also committed to providing practical advice and support to its customers and vendor partners to help them along the path to ever cleaner and greener IT solutions.
As an early adopter of green IT ideas and activities, Logicalis recognises that a responsible attitude to green IT can lead to significant reductions in energy consumption and carbon emissions. As well as reducing greenhouse gases and operational costs, the technologies it promotes, such as remote working and video and teleconferencing, enable more flexible working, greater productivity and improved business continuity.
Logicalis promotes remote working and videoconferencing across regional and home offices to minimise car or air transportation and reduce its carbon footprint. This is also supported through Logicalis’ schemes to encourage employees to use public transport.
Many of its local operations support initiatives for reducing power and water usage and monitoring waste reduction in its offices. These range from paper and plastic recycling to water filtration and office lighting efficiency systems.
Logicalis’ data centres are designed to best-practice standards to measure “power usage effectiveness” (“PUE”) and save energy.
Logicalis UK promotes recycling internally and has recycling bins in all its offices across the UK. Logicalis also promotes “cycle to work” schemes as part of its flexible benefits programme.
The Consulting Services division is mainly office-based, and therefore has minimal environmental impact. Nonetheless, environmental training takes place and policies and procedures are made available to all staff via the companies’ intranet.
Companies within the division have introduced initiatives that conserve resources such as paper and electricity, and general recycling is standard. Furthermore, travel is kept to a minimum by holding meetings via tele/videoconference where practical.