Cisco is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment, one that exceeds government-mandated requirements. Toward that end, our Environmental Health and Safety Department (EHS) developed and manages an Occupational Safety and Health Program, also known in California as an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP). This program provides guidelines on management involvement, health and safety communications and training, office and work-area hazard assessments, accident investigation, crisis management, and safety planning.
In FY2006, this program was updated to include global regulatory requirements. Our associated Lab Safety Program is designed to provide a safe working environment specifically for lab employees and visitors, and includes training modules and safety checklists for common lab safety hazards.
Cisco maintains full-time, onsite emergency response teams (ERTs) at major campuses around the world. The teams are staffed by Cisco employee volunteers, who receive ongoing training and support. In support of our ERT program, we have deployed automatic external defibrillators, one of the most effective measures for preventing serious injury or death due to sudden cardiac arrest, at almost all U.S. locations.
Cisco also administers an ergonomics program to support the design and ongoing use of work stations that maximize employee productivity and reduce user fatigue and discomfort. Onsite evaluations and an informational Website are currently available at most U.S. locations.
Cisco Health and Safety Plans for FY2007
- Incorporate new occupational safety and health program in several international Cisco locations
- Deploy automatic external defibrillators at international locations
- Design a global, Web-based self-evaluation tool for ergonomic work area assessments
Cisco actively investigates employee complaints related to indoor air quality, excessive noise, or other potential sources of exposure. The EHS department works closely with experts in the field of industrial hygiene to assist with these investigations, as well as internally with Cisco workplace resources, human resources, and other departments.
In FY2006, there were 107 reported injuries and illnesses and no work-related fatalities.
