HELSINKI, April 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

UPM has achieved exceptional success with its workplace safety initiative which was launched at the beginning of 2012. Within a year since the beginning of the Step Change in Safety 2012-2014 initiative UPM's global Lost Time Accident Frequency (LTAF) decreased by an amazing 40 percent.

The safety initiative has two goals: to achieve world class safety results within three years and to prevent any fatal accidents at UPM premises.

"40 percent decrease in accidents at work is a great improvement. The development was positive in all business areas and at the end of the year 2012 nine production units out of UPM's total of 68 achieved more than one year without any lost time accidents. We are proud of the excellent results of the campaign and we are definitely moving to the right direction with determination but the work still continues," says Jussi Pesonen, CEO of UPM.

The change started with engaging the leaders and led to safer ways of working in all levels of the organization. Key factors in the initiative's success have been securing the needed resources and the visibility of the initiative. The change is steered with common corporate standards and company-wide safety key performance indicators, which include indicators like reporting near-misses, safety observations and safety walks. Safety awards and incentives have been introduced to reward success and improvement in safety performance.

UPM celebrates the Safety Week with ILO

The International Labour Organization celebrates the World Day for Safety and Health at work on the 28^th of April to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally. UPM supports the day and celebrates the company's first Safety Week during the same week.

UPM leads the integration of bio and forest industries into a new, sustainable and innovation-driven future. Its products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. UPM consists of three Business Groups: Energy and pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials. The Group employs around 22,000 people and it has production plants in 17 countries. UPM's annual sales exceed EUR 10 billion. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange.

For more information please contact:
UPM, Corporate Communications
Media Desk, tel. +358-40-588-3284
media@upm.com
http://www.upm.com

SOURCE UPM