Environmental, Health, and Safety
Keeping Novanta safe
Health and Safety
The health and safety of our employees is our top priority. We utilize a world-class Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) system that is customized to each production location based on local conditions. Three of our production locations have been certified to ISO 45001 and four production locations have been certified to ISO 14001, with certifications for more locations planned. Each site has an EHS representative who is charged with the responsibilities of having our high standards met. The EHS program is responsible for carrying out regular health and safety risk assessments, addressing any incidents that occur, and making process improvements to reduce hazards. In 2021, we continued following the latest medical guidance on the COVID-19 pandemic and exceeded the minimum standards for all occupational health and safety regulations in the countries where we operate.
NovantaWELL
In 2021, we launched NovantaWELL, our global health and wellness resource center on our intranet site. NovantaWELL provides a central information hub for all employees, with country-specific information on physical and mental health and wellness. The portal offers education, such as tips on stress, noise, nutrition, tools for mindfulness reminders, and coaching on subjects like exercise routines. It also provides the latest guidance on salient health topics like COVID-19 and the flu.
In 2021, through NovantaWELL, we conducted a mental health assessment to support our employees through the ongoing challenges caused by the pandemic. Participants from six Novanta locations in the U.S., Germany, and the Czech Republic provided suggestions to senior leadership on measures to reduce stress and enhance mental health. We expect that additional assessments will be conducted in 2022.
Continued Action Against COVID-19
In 2020, we quickly adapted our operations and on-site practices to limit the spread of COVID-19 among our team members. We created steering committees at the global and local levels to rapidly respond to changing conditions and national guidelines. We rolled out a remote working model for employees who can perform their job duties without being physically in our facilities. We adopted temperature checks, PCR testing, and social distancing practices to minimize the risk of person-to-person infection within our facilities and to protect those employees who need to work on-site. In 2021, we consolidated our communication about these efforts on the NovantaWELL platform under the heading “Safe at Work” and offered on-site vaccination clinics (where allowable) to support community vaccination efforts.