- This is in addition to the certifications recently obtained by the Tenerife Refinery and Cepsa's aviation subsidiaries in the Canary Islands
- The active participation of workers at all levels in matters of occupational health and safety is one of the most important changes under this standard
Petróleos de Canarias SA (Petrocan), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cepsa dedicated to the reception, storage and supply of marine fuels in the ports of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, has certified its Occupational Health and Safety System (SST) under the ISO 45001:2018 standard after successfully passing the audit carried out by the external verifier AUDELCO.
Approximately twenty people from different departments in the company participated in the certification audit over four work days. This new standard, implemented voluntarily, replaces OHSAS 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety Assessment) and incorporates improvements.
Improvements incorporated under the certification
Strengthening the leadership and commitment of senior management stand out among the improvements resulting from implementation of the new certification. Other aspects include promoting the consultation and active participation of workers at all levels by providing the mechanisms, time, training and resources needed to achieve this.
The company must not only protect, but also promote physical and mental health among its workers; therefore, workers' wellbeing at work is now assessed in terms of their emotions or feelings about their work and professionalism (assessment, respect, development, etc.), along with other aspects that can improve the working environment (work-life balance, flexibility of working hours, remote working etc.).
In addition, this standard places greater emphasis on the need for continuous improvement and on the development of indicators to demonstrate this progress, all through ongoing evaluation and monitoring. It also enhances compliance with legal requirements by requiring proof of this progress.
Cepsa's director in the Canary Islands, José Manuel Fernández-Sabugo, remarked that "Petrocan is following the lead of the Tenerife Refinery and Cepsa's aviation subsidiaries in the Canary Islands, which began this process in recent months, by migrating from OHSAS 18001 to ISO 45001 certification."
"Cepsa has always proactively integrated the occupational health and safety of its employees and auxiliary companies into its management by providing safe and healthy workplaces, minimizing risks and eliminating hazards, and taking into account the participation of workers and their representatives in the process. This new voluntary certification is another step forward along the path of continuous improvement, which is another one of the values that characterizes Cepsa," assures the director.