Safe and Healthy Workplace

Policies and Committees

ECOVE's Health Safety and Environment (HSE) policy is based on fulfilling environmental protection obligations and creating a safe and healthy work environment. It aims to safeguard the physical and mental well-being of employees and contractors, ensuring a secure and hazard-free work environment.

Regarding Occupational Health and Safety Committees, in some subsidiaries of ECOVE Environment Corp., ECOVE Environment Service Corp. and ECOVE Waste Management Corp. have met the statutory requirements and established committees. However, ECOVE Environment Corp., ECOVE Wujih Energy Corp., and ECOVE Miaoli Energy Corp. have not met the required standards, and therefore, committees have not been established. Although ECOVE Solar Energy Corporation and ECOVE Solvent Recycling Corp. have not met the statutory requirements, they still follow the principles of ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System in establishing committees. ECOVE Environment Service Corp., ECOVE Waste Management Corp., ECOVE Solar Energy Corporation, and ECOVE Solvent Recycling Corp. Occupational Health and Safety Committees hold quarterly meetings. Among them, the ECOVE Environment Service Corp. Committee consists of 36 members, with 13 representing the labor side, accounting for 36% of the total committee members. The committee is chaired by the President, and the meeting conclusions are publicly announced on the internal website of ECOVE Environment Service Corp., ensuring effective information dissemination and tracking of improvements. The ECOVE Waste Management Corp. Committee consists of 10 members, with 4 representing the labor side, accounting for 40% of the total committee members. The ECOVE Solar Energy Corporation Committee consists of 8 members, with 3 representing the labor side, accounting for 38% of the total committee members.

Risk Evaluation and Operations Safety Control

ECOVE and its subsidiaries employ a risk management approach to occupational safety and health, which involves categorizing risks through a Risk Management Committee. The identified risk categories include information security risk, HSE risk, operational risk, quality management risk, and climate change risk. HSE risks are assessed using an occupational safety and health management system. Each operational process, chemical, manual tool, and environmental exposure is subjected to risk assessment. Based on the level of risk assessment, specific operating standards and regulations are developed and promoted. Regular on-site inspections are conducted to review the adequacy and effectiveness of the operating standards, ensuring their appropriateness and compliance.
▼Risk assessment process flow

After evaluating through the management system, high-risk and hazardous tasks such as hot work, elevated work, rotating equipment, lifting operations, electrical equipment maintenance, and abnormal equipment troubleshooting are governed by specific operational safety control regulations. Daily work assignments are managed through the MMIS (Maintenance Management Information System) developed by ECOVE Environment Service Corp. During the morning meeting, a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) is conducted to raise awareness of hazards. Employees are required to apply for work permits based on the job content risks and operational safety control regulations. The three parties involved, including the operators, maintenance personnel, and safety personnel, visit the site together to verify and carry out procedures such as power shutdown, isolation, lockout, and tagging. Only after confirming the absence of any potential hazards can the work commence, aiming to achieve the goal of zero accidents during operations.
▼ Operations safety control

Taking ECOVE Environment Service Corp. as an example, for the management of mechanical equipment, the MMIS system is utilized to schedule regular inspections of machinery and equipment in each operating management area, ensuring that maintenance planning and repair tracking are conducted through an electronic system to prevent oversights. Prior to operations, automated inspection plans are developed, including vehicle maintenance, and pre-operation checks are implemented. During operations, on-site observations and inspections are carried out, and post-operation site verifications are conducted, which are included in evaluations and reviews. Various safety control processes are implemented, supported by electronic systems for license and permit verification, ensuring the validity of certificates and confirming the qualifications of operators. This enables effective control of safety during operations.

Before contracting a project, ECOVE Environment Service Corp. evaluates the safety and health regulations and hazardous factors associated with the project. This information is documented in the project procurement manual to facilitate the selection of suitable contractors. Annually, safety and health education and training sessions are conducted for contractors to enhance their awareness of safety and health practices. In accordance with the HSE policies and contract content, compliance with relevant OSH provisions shall be included (such as rights to withdraw laborers as per Article 18 Occupational Safety and Health Act). The training teaches workers how to protect themselves in unsafe or unhealthy situations.

Prior to commencing operations, hazard notifications are provided, and meetings are organized to discuss and establish agreements. These measures aim to enhance safety and health awareness and consciousness during on-site operations. Additionally, all entering tools and equipment are inspected individually to ensure their safe use. During the construction period, toolbox meetings will be conducted on a daily basis while audits are conducted from time to time. Immediate rectification will be required whenever deficiencies are found, and review meetings will be held when necessary. After the completion of the work, the seven major occupational safety and health performance indicators will be evaluated to assess performance. These indicators are categorized into five levels: A, B, C, D, and E. Contractors with a D-level rating should be avoided, and those with an E-level rating will be included in the non-compliant vendor list.

With regard to access control, besides utilizing facial and fingerprint identification systems for access control at each plant, qualification reviews for the construction personnel are also carried out. After permission has been granted, personal traits will be scanned into the identification system to reinforce access control for qualified personnel, and contractors will be included in the access control management. During the construction period, on top of the abovementioned audits and informative training, the Company will also run blood pressure or sobriety tests on the personnel from time to time. Should abnormalities be found, the work of the said personnel on that day will be stopped, so as to avoid any hazard of physical discomfort caused by constrained, working at heights or high temperature environment. Personnel is also constantly reminded to pay attention to the management of their own physical health and discipline.

Regarding vehicle safety, safe driving, and hazardous substances, safety adv ocacy will be carried out during morning briefings through JSA. The personnel's health and fit to work will be assessed prior to the commencement of operations. If there are any unwell personnel, this shall be raised immediately and the person in charge shall make work adjustments immediately. Alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited on-site and sobriety tests will be conducted as needed, and vehicle maintenance is managed according to the MMIS system. In 2022, there were two traffic accidents involving the ECOVE Waste Management Corp. Cleaning Fleet. However, according to the determination of the traffic accidents, our side was not found to be at fault. Additionally, no traffic violation tickets were issued to us, indicating that we did not violate any traffic regulations.

To strengthen safety management, ECOVE gradually and continuously improves to achieve enhanced safety management through the auditing system. At the same time, employees' safety knowledge and competencies are also verified and confirmed via audit. Weaknesses are understood and incorporated into the training system and as a reference for amendments to the work standards. ECOVE Environment Service Corp. actively promoted a three-tiered audit management system whereby on-site engineers shall carry out the level 1 management of safety and health, OSH personnel and plant managers shall conduct the level 2 of safety and health audits (including the independent evaluation of each plant), and the Company conducts level 3 safety and health supervisory audits. Safety management and audit systems are realized through the merging of the audit system with assessments. The execution of third-level audits involves presenting reports on audit sessions and the number of deficiencies during committee meetings. The relevant departments under the management of each incineration plant and project are responsible for implementing improvements. The Company conducts follow-up audits to confirm the effectiveness of the improvements.
▼ Three-tiered Audit Management

The Safety and Health Management Department requests the respective units under its jurisdiction to conduct root cause analysis for the identified audit deficiencies and develop corresponding improvement measures. Once the solutions are determined, corrective actions are implemented. The Safety and Health Management Department provides feedback to the relevant departments (Operations Department 1, Operations Department 2, or Project Department) and informs them of the corrective actions taken. The improvement results are presented and closed during company top manager meetings. Audit not only includes internal head office inspection or project cross audit, but also regular or irregular audits conducted by local external competent authorities in accordance with the annual inspection policy. Post audit, the local project will be informed of the inspection results immediately, and the local project shall be requested to cooperate in the implementation of safety management.

Occupational Disaster Prevention

ECOVE has always placed great emphasis on workplace safety and health. It actively invests resources in various aspects such as risk identification and assessment, education and training, operational safety control processes, emergency response drills, and occupational accident investigation mechanisms. The commitment of resources by ECOVE ensures a safer working environment for employees and fosters a deep understanding among all colleagues that safety is closely related to their personal well-being. ECOVE and its employees wholeheartedly collaborate in implementing safety and health management. The prevention of accidents is considered a top priority in our safe operations. Through the implementation of various plans and systems and adhering to the core value of "people-oriented," we allocate manpower and resources to ensure the safety and health of our employees. Our goal is to create a safe and healthy working environment, driven by the principles of sustainability, and to strive for accident-free working hours.
▼ Occupational Accident Incident Investigation Mechanism Flowchart

For ECOVE and its subsidiaries, there is no greater responsibility than providing a safe and secure working environment for our colleagues. Therefore, we allocate resources to create a friendly, healthy, and safe workplace. At ECOVE, "safety first" is neither a slogan we merely pay lip service to nor is it a routine matter. It is fully internalized as the daily work practices of all personnel. In addition to comprehensive training programs such as general safety and health education, specialized training for hazardous tasks (confined spaces, working at heights, etc.), contractor safety and health education, and emergency response drills, we prioritize safety in various situations. Supervisors play a crucial role by consistently emphasizing the importance of safety to their team members, repeatedly reminding them that safety is non-negotiable. Furthermore, we foster a culture of safety awareness by encouraging employees to share safety-related anecdotes and wisdom, replacing a strictly regulatory approach with practical and relatable insights.

▼ ECOVE Statistics on work-related injuries

▼ Type of occupational injury at ECOVE

Obtaining ISO 45001 Certification

ECOVE upholds the spirit of prioritizing safety, health, and the environment, following the seven major HSE policies. Its subsidiary, ECOVE Environment Service Corp., and all 10 operational waste incineration plants have obtained OHSAS 18001 and TOSHMS certifications since 2009. In 2011, in response to the Ministry of Labor's policy, TOSHMS was fully converted to CNS 15506, and continuous verification has been maintained. Starting from 2018, all 10 operational sites of ECOVE Environment Service Corp., ECOVE Solar Energy Corporation, and ECOVE Solvent Recycling Corp. have successively obtained ISO 45001 certification, with a verification coverage rate of 100% for each site. The certification includes all workers in the workplace, including employees, contractors, and subcontractors. In 2019, all locations, including the headquarters, under ECOVE successfully completed inspections, and ECOVE Environment Service Corp., ECOVE Waste Management Corp., ECOVE Solar Energy Corporation, and ECOVE Solvent Recycling Corp. have maintained the validity of their certifications in 2022.

There are 10 operating locations including the headquarters, Keelung, Taoyuan South, Miaoli, Houli, Wujih, Xizhou, Tainan, Tainan Science Park, and Gangshan. ECOVE Wujih Energy Corp. and ECOVE Miaoli Energy Corp. do not meet the setup standards, but they are located within validated operating locations. ECOVE Wujih Energy Corp. is situated within the ECOVE Environment Service Corp. Wurih Plant, while ECOVE Miaoli Energy Corp. is located within the ECOVE Environment Service Corp. Miaoli Plant. All employees and non-employees are encompassed within the scope of the Occupational Health and Safety Management System.

Awards

In order to actively promote the development of a safety and health culture and strengthen self- management in safety and health, ECOVE Environment Service Corp. encourages all units to participate in external safety and health evaluations. We have consistently achieved excellent results and received numerous national safety and health awards since 2008, demonstrating our effectiveness in promoting safety and health. In 2016, we were honored with the highest recognition, the National Occupational Safety and Health Excellence Award, by the Ministry of Labor (ineligible for participation in labor-related safety evaluations within five years). In 2022, our Keelung Plant, Tainan Plant, Tainan Science Park Plant, and Gangshan Plant received the Excellent Unit Award for Occupational Safety and Health, etc. During this period, we have continuously strived to uphold our safety mission and have remained vigilant in ensuring safety. In 2022, we received the following awards.

Workplace Health Management

Taking into consideration the working environment and conditions of our employees, ECOVE has developed a comprehensive health management system. We provide all new employees with health examinations, including special examinations for factors such as dust, high temperatures, noise, and other specific hazards. In order to exceed legal requirements and take good care of our employees, the current general health examination frequency is once every two years. We also conduct monitoring and comparisons based on the employees' working conditions and potential exposure to hazards. For employees who may be exposed to specific hazards, such as those working with dust, special health examinations are conducted annually. Regular occupational and environmental monitoring is conducted to ensure effective management of the work environment and employee health. Currently, the implementation of health examinations is in good condition, with no reported occupational disease-related deaths or confirmed cases of occupational diseases diagnosed by specialist occupational physicians in the past 7 years.

In the occupational health service aspect, we assess the potential hazards that employees may be exposed to in the work environment. We organize relevant educational training sessions and provide consultations to ensure that employees have a comprehensive understanding of their work environment and are equipped with the knowledge to protect their own health and minimize health impacts. In 2022, a total of 27 health education lectures were conducted, with a total of 792 participants.

Furthermore, regular on-site services are provided by occupational specialists and nurses to offer free medical consultations and health guidance to employees. This helps employees to understand their physical or mental health issues and promotes awareness and proactive action towards health management. In 2022, a total of 44 hours were dedicated to on-site services, covering 15 sessions. Although the abnormality rate in health check results may be influenced by factors such as age, personal lifestyle habits, and other objective factors, we still prioritize providing enhanced health promotion guidance to employees with higher abnormality rates. We have developed an annual health promotion plan to implement various health promotion initiatives accordingly. Our on-site healthcare professionals, including physicians and nurses, conduct various activities such as on-site hazard assessments, tracking of abnormal health check results, general health consultation, chronic disease management, and injury/illness tracking. They also organize health promotion activities in accordance with the annual trends of health check abnormalities and prevailing epidemics. For example, we conduct seminars on vascular health and stroke prevention to help employees understand their personal health conditions. These seminars cover health check indicators related to individual metabolic syndrome and provide educational information on preventing metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, we are committed to promoting AED (Automated External Defibrillator) certification for our facilities to enhance the self-rescue and lifesaving capabilities of our staff. Currently, we have obtained AED certification for 10 factory locations, ensuring a safe and secure environment.

The Group Health Care System platform primarily includes relevant health information, hospital appointment scheduling for health check-ups, health questionnaire completion, health promotion activities, and registration for medical consultations. We are committed to promoting the intelligent systemized Hygeia Health Management System. This system enables us to collect and analyze data to effectively manage employee health information, generate reports, and conduct risk management through systematic and data-driven approaches. With a multifaceted approach to health management, general health check-ups and management are categorized into four levels: normal, mild, moderate, and severe abnormalities. In 2022, employees with levels 3 and 4 health check-up abnormalities accounted for 3% of the total. They are prioritized as the primary monitoring targets, and relevant health education and follow-up are provided to them. If necessary, medical treatment and medication are recommended to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the current physical condition of employees. This is a primary task for healthcare professionals. For employees without levels 3 and 4 abnormalities in special health check-ups, we will continue to adhere to protective measures and conduct regular monitoring to safeguard their health and prevent occupational diseases. In 2022, we focused on preventing diseases related to excessive workloads. We provided personal health guidance to 5 individuals with moderate to high risks, conducted follow-ups for 128 individuals with abnormal health check results, and had physician consultations with a total of 128 individuals, achieving a completion rate of 100%. In 2022, we provided maternal health protection for 5 individuals in the workplace, and all cases were successfully closed within the year.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ECOVE established an epidemic response task force, a system platform, and a mobile app called MyCTCI. These initiatives allow us to monitor the daily temperature changes, track the activities, record the COVID-19 vaccination status, and obtain at-home rapid screening results of each employee in real-time. ECOVE urges all employees, except those with special physiological conditions, to comply with government policies and receive the COVID-19 vaccine according to the designated schedule. By increasing vaccination rates and achieving herd immunity, we can effectively combat the virus and prioritize the prevention of disease spread.

Health Lecture-Related Photographs

ECOVE and its subsidiaries provide occupational health services and promotion activities.

▼ Health Lecture-Related Photographs

▼ On-site physician services

Dioxin tracking test

Employees are the greatest asset of ECOVE. In addition to creating a safe working environment, we are committed to ensuring the health of our employees. Since 2008, we have entrusted the Research Center of Environmental Trace Toxic Substances of National Cheng Kung University to conduct analyses based on job nature, exposure environment, and years of service. Following the age-service operation interval and regulations for dust exposure in the workplace, representative employees from each operational area are selected for blood dioxin testing and monitoring. This blood test and follow-up examination are conducted every 4 years, and we have completed four consecutive rounds of testing to date. Additionally, we conduct health, dietary, and occupational exposure assessment questionnaires for cross- referencing purposes. This achievement not only makes ECOVE the first of its kind in Taiwan but also sets a benchmark globally.

The results show that the blood dioxin levels of the tested employees are relatively low compared to the general population in Taiwan and the recommended blood dioxin concentration values by the World Health Organization (WHO). This is because ECOVE's incineration plant has a comprehensive and effective air pollution control mechanism. Additionally, the Company has implemented education and training programs to enhance employee health and safety awareness, leading to an increased usage of personal protective equipment.
▼ Photos of dioxin testing at National Cheng Kung University

The Company takes a rigorous approach to addressing the hazards of dioxin. Since dioxin accumulation is primarily related to ingestion, reducing exposure and modifying eating behaviors can significantly decrease dioxin accumulation. To prevent employees from being exposed to dioxin in the workplace, regular safety and hygiene education training is conducted before the annual maintenance operations. Employees are taught how to correctly wear personal protective equipment and strict safety controls are implemented during operations. Random checks are conducted to ensure compliance with PPE usage and safety protocols, and supervisors and managers perform regular inspections. If any employee is found to be not wearing the required protective equipment or if safety protocols are not being followed, they are immediately instructed to stop the operation until proper protective equipment is worn, and safety measures are in place. This requirement not only emphasizes safety but also demonstrates our commitment to our employees and their families, ensuring that they can leave for work happily and return home safely. It is not just a slogan, but a tangible action we take.

In 2020, a total of 38 urban solid waste incinerator operators were tested, and the average blood concentration of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/F) was found to be 12.1 pg WHO9 8-TEQ/ g lipid. This value is lower than the average test result in 2016 (14.6 pg WHO9 8 -TEQ/g lipid) and 2012 (13.3 pg WHO9 8 -TEQ/g lipid), but slightly higher than the average test result in 2008 (11.1 pg WHO9 8 -TEQ/ g lipid). The results indicate that despite long-term exposure to the incinerator work environment, the blood concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/F) in the 38 urban solid waste incinerator operators did not show a significant increase.

HSE Series Activities

The HSE Series Activities are organized annually. In 2022, through the Safety Open Letter from the President of ECOVE, all employees were reminded of the importance of building a safety consensus, understanding potential hazards, and implementing safety measures. Various levels of supervisors provided on-site guidance and inspections to ensure compliance with work safety requirements. Emergency response training was conducted through hands-on exercises, allowing employees to immerse themselves in realistic scenarios and understand how to respond effectively in such situations. Contract management also continuously engages in safety reflection, proposing innovative ideas or improvement suggestions to achieve the implementation of safety and health measures.
▼ HSE Open Letter

Occupational Health and Safety Management in the Post-Pandemic Era and Future Outlook

ECOVE regards effective occupational health and safety practices as fundamental to the sustainable operation of the Company. We are committed to providing all employees and stakeholders with a safe and secure working environment, ensuring peace of mind for our colleagues and their families, and instilling confidence in our clients to entrust us with various projects. In the future, we will continue to implement safety, health, and environmental management with the spirit of "everyone is accountable" to prevent occupational accidents. To achieve this, we consistently adhere to the following fundamental safety requirements: comprehensive personnel education and training, adherence to safety operating standards, safety audits, accident reviews, and experience sharing through lessons learned. We actively pursue safety objectives and ensure that every critical process is carried out in accordance with regulations, thereby reducing unsafe behaviors and conditions. Annually, we align with the Ministry of Labor's annual safety and health inspection policy, prioritizing inspections for high-frequency and high-risk operations. This ensures that safety and health promotion are seamlessly integrated, driving us closer to our goal of "zero disasters" and "zero accidents." The impact of COVID-19 on the world has been enormous, presenting significant challenges for businesses. Maintaining the stable operation of ECOVE and the health of our employees relies on the Company's epidemic prevention management and the cooperation of all colleagues. Following the guidance of the Central Epidemic Command Center, ECOVE adopts a dynamic management approach, promptly adjusting our epidemic prevention strategies. We have implemented a series of preventive measures, including COVID-19 vaccination information dissemination, visitor registration system, employee (and subcontractor) health management, maintaining social distancing during meetings, environmental disinfection, and reducing exposure through remote video conferences. Although these measures may bring inconvenience to work, we firmly believe that only with good health can we create a safer and healthier workplace. We aim to guide all employees through this crisis, continuously improve our practices, and envision ECOVE as a company that fulfills its corporate social responsibilities in a safe, healthy, stable, and sustainable state.