The Orient Management Systems organisation has implemented an integrated system for managing quality, health, safety and environment at the State-Owned Enterprise “Navoiyuran”, having received the appropriate certificates ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001. ISO 45001:2018 certificates were obtained for the uranium production plant, the Central material and technical base of the State-Owned Enterprise “Navoiyuran” and the Zafarabad mining administration. In addition, the company began implementing the 5S Lean Manufacturing system to ensure a safe culture and working conditions. This system includes sorting, rational arrangement, cleaning, standardisation and improvement, which are the basic principles of managing a productive department. In addition, quality personal protective equipment (PPE) and nutritional therapy for employees play an important role in occupational safety and health management. Providing employees with the necessary PPE can reduce risks and provide a safe work environment. Nutritional therapy aims to promote employee health and can improve immune function, energy levels and resilience to workplace stress, ultimately reducing the likelihood of work-related illness and absenteeism. To provide employees with high-quality PPE, $0.002 million was allocated and 2.9 million US dollars was allocated for therapeutic and preventive meals .

The company monitored working conditions and compliance with sanitary and fire requirements for workers of three geological exploration expeditions. In order to improve working conditions, employees were provided with 7 types of household appliances worth $0.02 million US dollars.

To comply with the law, a compulsory employer’s civil liability insurance agreement was concluded. Insurance plays an important role in providing financial protection to workers in the event of a work-related injury, illness or disability and also encourages employers to improve workplace safety.

Moreover, in March 2023, the first stage of the certification audit of the integrated management system was carried out according to the standards ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018. The audit identified problem areas and identified positive aspects. After correcting the problem areas, a second audit stage was carried out, the results of which were presented to management in May 2023. The management system analysis complies with international and local standards.

Radiation safety

Adhering to the principles of radiation safety in 2023, the Enterprise carried out regular monitoring of the radiation situation in workplaces, premises, production areas and controlled areas in accordance with the requirements of the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. 613 dated September 29, 2021. All radiation indicators are within the limits established by the sanitary rules of the Republic of Uzbekistan and comply with the standards of the IAEA and the International Labour Office.

There were no radiation accidents or incidents at the Company’s production sites during 2023. There were no exceedances of control levels of annual radiation doses.

Employees are equipped with personal dosimeters that allow them to measure the level of radiation exposure in real-time. These devices provide the ability to monitor radiation dose in workplaces, ensuring safety and control of radiation levels. The average dose of radiation exposure to personnel in 2023 was 5.5 mSv/year.

The group monitoring the working conditions of the uranium production plant carries out additional monthly radiation measurements at workplaces. In 2023, the average dose of radiation exposure in workplaces was 1.28 mSv/hour. These regular measurements are necessary to ensure safety and compliance with established IAEA radiation protection standards.

The maximum annual effective dose to personnel interacting directly on site with radioactive materials was 16.5 mSv/year, which is 82.5% of the permissible dose limit, established by the IAEA – 20 mSv/year.

To increase the level of radiation safety and personnel protection, the following measures are regularly taken to improve the radiation situation:

• Renovation of premises and modernisation of equipment;
• Renewal and repair of technological equipment;
• Removal of low-level radioactive waste to disposal sites;
• Training employees in radiation safety courses;
• Certification of responsible persons in authorised bodies;
• Therapeutic and preventive meals ;
• Annual additional leave; reduction of working hours.

Prioritising occupational safety and injury prevention

Ensuring safety at work and preventing injuries are the top priorities of the State-Owned Enterprise “Navoiyuran” in the field of sustainable development. The business supports the creation of safe and secure workplaces and emphasises its commitment to the well-being of its employees and the communities with which it interacts.

An action plan was developed to prevent accidents and create additional conditions for labour protection, technical and industrial safety in the structural divisions of the Enterprise. The plan was approved by the General Director on October 6, 2023. The main attention is paid to creating safe working conditions and the correct implementation of technological processes. The Occupational Safety and Health Expertise Commission works at production sites on an ongoing basis. Great importance is given to testing the knowledge of commission members in accordance with standard Regulation No. 272 “On training and testing knowledge in labour protection.”

Execution of the plan requires training and continuous development for several reasons. Training enables employees to effectively identify and mitigate potential hazards and take proactive measures to prevent accidents and injuries. Ongoing training ensures compliance with industry standards and legal requirements.

During 2023, 17 inspections were carried out on labour protection and industrial safety in the structural divisions of the Enterprise. 14 extraordinary targeted and comprehensive inspections were organised, during which 116 violations were identified and 49 managers and specialists were brought to disciplinary liability.

In the structural units of the State-Owned Enterprise “Navoiyuran” in 2023, 10 accidents occurred, including 6 severe, 1 moderate and 3 mild. These incidents affected 10 employees. Investigations were carried out by special commissions; the results were transferred to the competent authorities. Compared to last year, the number of accidents increased by 25% (from 8 to 10) and similarly the work injury frequency rate (LTIFR) increased to 0.70%.

The increase in injuries is mainly due to careless personnel behaviour, inadequate training and inadequate supervision, which can lead to the use of unsafe work practices.

A number of measures have been taken in the field of labour protection and technical safety:

• Employees of the administration of the State-Owned Enterprise “Navoiyuran” were certified in accordance with the requirements of the Regulation “On the procedure for certification of workplaces for working conditions and risks”,520 workplaces were certified in the Zafarabad RU and State Expertise conclusions were received for 1184 workplaces;
• CCTV cameras have been installed at workplaces to monitor work processes and prevent safety violations and accidents;
• The condition of the labour protection premises was checked and brought into compliance with established standards and requirements. Provided with modern technical means, teaching aids and samples, demonstration and information materials;
• A list of employees of structural units who must undergo a medical examination by December 2023 has been compiled in accordance with the order of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. 200 dated July 10, 2012;
• The condition of the utility premises of the structural divisions was checked;
• Unscheduled large-scale inspections are carried out jointly with specialists from the Enterprise’s occupational safety and health service to prevent accidents and comply with safety rules and requirements;
• A foreign trip of specialists to Germany was organised to train and exchange skills in occupational health and safety.

Plans for the forthcoming periods:

• Maintain records/statistics on accidents/deaths among contractors and contract employees;
• Consider investing in advanced safety technologies such as wearable sensors, remote monitoring drones and real-time hazard detection systems to improve workplace safety;
• Improve safety training programmes: Develop comprehensive safety training programmes that include virtual reality (VR) simulations and interactive modules to provide hands-on experience and increase worker safety awareness;
• Encourage open communication among staff, active participation in safety initiatives and recognition of safe behaviour through incentive programmes;
• Implement a programme to minimise the risk of musculoskeletal injuries and improve workplace ergonomics through ergonomic assessments, improved workstation design and employee training;
• Develop initiatives to address mental health and wellbeing issues in the workplace by providing access to counselling services, stress management programmes and promoting work-life balance;
• Continue to collaborate with industry partners, regulators and professional bodies to share best practice, knowledge and continually improve health and safety standards;
• Invest in health promotion initiatives such as wellness programmes, fitness centres and health screenings to support employee well-being and prevent work-related illnesses;
• Continuously evaluate and improve health and safety processes through feedback mechanisms, data analytics and innovation to stay ahead of emerging risks.