Prioritising safety as we respond to COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic is seeing communities across the globe face unprecedented challenges and uncertainty. But as we respond, people are coming together and supporting one another like never before. At IPL, we’ve been proud to see inspiring resilience and resourcefulness among our people, customers and communities. It’s this spirit that will see us get through this difficult time and come out stronger on the other side.

Our response

Incitec Pivot Limited (IPL) takes our licence to operate across the essential agriculture and resources industries very seriously in these unprecedented times.

As we respond, we are prioritising the safety and wellbeing of our people, communities, and customers, while remaining focused on continuing to service the essential industries in which we operate. 

In each of our locations, we are committed to meeting relevant government health and safety guidelines and travel directions. We are also ensuring our response aligns with protocols developed by key industry organisations. 

Our operations

We have implemented extensive measures in response to the virus across our two businesses: Incitec Pivot Fertilisers (IPF), Australia’s largest manufacturer and distributor of fertilisers; and Dyno Nobel, a leading manufacturer and global supplier of industrial explosives. 

Our IPF business plays a critical role in the agriculture sector by safely manufacturing and delivering fertiliser to farmers so they can plant and grow crops that feed Australians and people across the globe. 

Our Dyno Nobel business safely supplies the resource and mining industries with explosives services and products that are critical in the mining process on their sites. 

Measures are also in place across our manufacturing division which, in addition to fertilisers and explosives, also manufactures industrial chemicals which are used by our customers for purposes including food production, food transportation, medical products transfer and water treatment. 

Protecting our employees

Keeping our people safe has been the focus of our response and we have implemented health and hygiene education, training and practices into our global standard operations. 

Across our global business we have implemented a full work from home policy, with all employees working from home where their jobs allow.

At sites and for roles where this is not possible, our people are operating in strict accordance with physical distancing and health, safety and medical guidelines. Work sites our people are attending are low density, highly automated workplaces and extensive measures are in place to meet guidelines. Site employees not essential to operations are working remotely. 

Other measures include:

• Communicating latest information and updates to workers
• Adopting extensive workplace hygiene practices including physical distancing, hand washing and use of hand sanitiser
• Redesigning tasks where appropriate to meet physical distancing requirements
• Increased cleaning and sanitising of sites
• Arrangements in place to isolate people with suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 and safe evacuation arrangements.

Adapting site specific safety processes to verify that the critical controls in place in response to COVID-19 are being consistently adhered to.

We are also committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our people and their families. We recognise the high degree of uncertainty being experienced across all sectors of society as a result of the virus outbreak and the stress and anxiety this is causing. We are regularly reminding our people of our 24/7 Employee Assistance Program which is available on a confidential basis to all our employees and their families. We have also adapted our technology systems to facilitate multiple ways for people to keep in touch with their colleagues. 

Working safely with our customers

We are committed to continuity of supply and serving our customers safely. As part of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the changes we’ve made to our working operations to protect our people are also in place to protect our customers.  

New processes and action plans related to our customer interactions are now part of standard operating procedures, with site specific responses in place. 

Measures include restricting face-to-face interactions and removing physical contact with our staff. 

Protecting our communities 

We take our licence to operate very seriously and the outbreak of COVID-19 makes it more important than ever to partner with the communities we work with.

Our businesses globally are partnering responsibly with the communities we operate in.

This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia. We recognise the increased risk the virus presents to these communities, along with other vulnerable people in our communities. 

Across the communities in which we work and where opportunities arise, we have communicated health and hygiene measures to protect people against the virus. 

Working with governments and stakeholders

Responding effectively to the huge challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic requires collaboration and we are committed to working with governments and other stakeholders across our global operations.

We are playing our part in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our people, customers and communities. As we continue to supply the mining, resources and agricultural industries with our essential services and products, we will continue to implement new measures as required.

 
ENDS

You can reach us with media enquiries at media@incitecpivot.com.au