For Construtora Norberto Odebrecht, the area of Workplace Health and Safety represents an important challenge. The company is frequently involved with projects that use explosives, flammable materials or heavy machinery as well as those located offshore, at high altitudes or in zones of conflict. The enormous contingent of People involved in the activities also adds to the area’s complexity.

The safety issue is discussed in contracts, budget composition and activity planning. The programs are completed in an integrated fashion and seek to insert prevention and risk control into the company's very culture. Accordingly, each Member becomes a multiplying agent in a major effort that emphasizes the value of life.

Occupational safety and health management at the Odebrecht construction sites meets the requirements of international norms as well as the legal requirements of the countries in which the company is inserted. Currently, Odebrecht maintains the OHSAS 18001:1999 certification and follows internal policies designed specifically for the topic.

Environmental education and emergency preparation programs are developed for all Organization Members and third parties. This work has allowed for an evolution in the construction company’s Occupational Health indicators.

Between July and August 2009, three of the company’s projects achieved historical landmarks in workplace safety: the Camaçari Project in Bahia; The Liquefaction Plant Maritime Terminal in Peru; and the Palomino, Hydroelectric Power Plant in the Dominican Republic.

Together, they achieved the record of over 18 million man-hours worked without loss time accidents over a 33-month period. The Loss Time Accident Frequency Rate (TFCA) calculation considers the number of accidents with loss time occurred for every one million hours worked.