Occupational Health & Safety Policy

Executive Summary

A safe workplace is a basic expectation, not an optional benefit. This policy sets out the occupational health and safety standards Plutonia asks suppliers to maintain across production, warehousing, and worker accommodation.

Unsafe factories endanger the people who make products and create real risk for buyers — from supply disruption to reputational and legal exposure. Many of the most serious incidents in global manufacturing trace back to preventable failures: blocked exits, unguarded machines, poor chemical handling, and inadequate fire safety.

This policy is informed by recognised responsible business principles and complements our Supplier Code of Conduct and Due Diligence Policy.

Policy Scope

This policy applies across the order chain Plutonia coordinates, including:

• Suppliers, manufacturers, and factories producing goods coordinated by Plutonia
• Subcontractors and second-tier production sites used by those suppliers
• Sourcing agents, trading companies, and intermediaries in the order chain
• Logistics partners, freight forwarders, and warehouse and consolidation providers
• Third-party inspection and testing partners engaged on a project basis
• Plutonia team members involved in sourcing, verification, and logistics coordination

Core Principles

• Provide a safe and hygienic working environment.
• Control foreseeable hazards at the source.
• Provide training and PPE at no cost to workers.
• Maintain fire safety and emergency preparedness at all times.
• Keep accommodation, where provided, safe and separate from production.

Safe Workplaces and Machinery Safety

Suppliers must protect workers from foreseeable hazards through adequate ventilation, lighting, sanitation, and access to clean drinking water, and through control of exposure to harmful substances, noise, and temperature. Machinery must be properly guarded and maintained, and workers operating equipment must be trained and provided appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) at no cost.

Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness

• Clearly marked, unobstructed, and sufficient emergency exits — never locked or blocked during working hours.
• Functional fire detection and firefighting equipment, regularly maintained.
• Regular evacuation drills and accessible, understandable emergency procedures.
• Accessible first aid and trained first-aid responders.
• A process to report, record, and investigate accidents and near-misses.

Chemical, Electrical, and Warehouse Safety

Chemicals and hazardous materials must be stored, labelled, handled, and disposed of safely and lawfully, with safety data sheets available and workers trained. Electrical installations must be safe and maintained. Warehouse and consolidation operations must manage racking, stacking, forklift, and manual-handling risks to protect workers and goods.

Dormitory, Sanitation, and Welfare Conditions

Where suppliers provide accommodation, it must be safe, clean, adequately ventilated, and physically separated from production and storage areas, with sufficient sanitary facilities. Worker welfare conditions are part of how we assess a supplier, not an afterthought.

Higher-Risk Production and Supplier Accountability

Some production carries elevated safety risk and receives closer attention on a risk basis — for example metal and woodworking, chemical processing, battery and electronics assembly, heavy machinery, and any process involving dust, solvents, or high heat. Suppliers remain accountable for maintaining safe conditions and for correcting identified hazards.

Supplier Expectations

Suppliers engaged through the Plutonia network are expected to:

• Maintain a documented approach to workplace safety.
• Guard and maintain machinery; train operators.
• Provide PPE and training at no cost to workers.
• Keep emergency exits clear and fire equipment functional.
• Store and handle chemicals and hazardous materials safely.
• Provide safe, clean accommodation where housing is offered.
• Report, record, and correct accidents and identified hazards.

Our Due Diligence Approach

Plutonia applies this policy in practice on a risk-based basis, through:

How This Helps International Buyers

Red Flags

On a risk basis, Plutonia watches for practical warning signs relevant to this policy:

• Blocked, locked, or insufficient emergency exits
• Unguarded or poorly maintained machinery
• Missing or unused PPE
• Unsafe chemical storage or handling
• No fire detection or firefighting equipment
• Unsafe electrical installations
• Overcrowded or unsafe worker accommodation
• No accident reporting or first-aid provision

Corrective Action

Where risks or non-conformities are identified, Plutonia may take the following steps, proportionate to severity:

1. Request clarification and additional information from the supplier
2. Request supporting documentation, records, or evidence of compliance
3. Recommend a time-bound corrective action plan with defined milestones
4. Escalate the finding to the buyer where the order or project is affected
5. Increase verification intensity, including inspection where warranted
6. Suspend new orders pending remediation where risk is significant
7. Reject or remove the supplier where serious issues are not remediated
8. Record findings and actions where required for buyer or tender reporting

Reporting a Concern

Workers, suppliers, clients, logistics partners, and stakeholders may report concerns through Plutonia's grievance mechanism. Reports are treated confidentially, retaliation against good-faith reporters is prohibited, and concerns are reviewed on a risk basis.

Related Policies

Downloadable Resources

PDF documents are placeholders and will be made available here. Each policy can also be read in full online.

Frequently Asked Questions