Workplace

BUSINESS PRINCIPLES AND CODE OF ETHICS

SIG has a clear and unequivocal approach to business integrity and ethics which underlies the Group's core values of openness, collaboration, mutual dependency, sustainable profitable growth, professional delivery and innovation.  The Group's Ethics Policy has been designed to ensure that SIG conducts all of its business to the highest ethical standards.

The Group’s Ethics Policy, which has been issued to all employees, sets out the standards and behaviours that all SIG employees are expected to meet throughout the Group's operations. The policy makes clear a number of fundamental principles, which all Group companies are required to follow. The policy can be viewed on the Company’s website at www.sigplc.com. The Ethics and Anti-corruption Policies include the Company’s prohibition on the giving or receiving of bribes or other payments. The key business principles contained in the Ethics Policy are set out below:

• SIG’s policy is to operate within applicable laws;
• discrimination or harassment of any kind will not be tolerated;
• SIG aims to be a responsible partner within its local communities;
• the legal and moral rights of others will be taken into account in all SIG’s business transactions;
• we will maintain a safe and healthy environment for people to work in;
• we will be proactive in managing our responsibilities to the environment;
• we will not knowingly make misrepresentations;
• as a matter of policy, we do not make political donations;
• no bribes can be given or received;
• conflicts of interest must be avoided and in all cases must be reported; and
• employees are encouraged to report any suspected wrongdoings.

The Group operates a culture of openness and has in place a confidential hotline service so that employees can raise, on a confidentail basis, any concerns about how we conduct our business.  The service is provided by an independent third party and a full investigation is carried out an all matters raised and a report is prepared for feedback to the complainant.  The confidential hotline service is available to all SIG employees.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

The Group has in place in the UK an Integrated Management System for Health, Safety and Environment, certified to ISO 14001 (Environment) and OHSAS 18001 (Health and Safety).

The Group is committed to high standards of health and safety for all of its employees and the Health, Safety and Environmental Policy is reviewed on a regular basis. The policy is displayed throughout the Group’s workplaces and is available on the Company’s website. Whilst Mr. C. J. Davies, the Chief Executive, is the Board Director responsible for the health and safety performance of the Group, the SIG systems ensure that responsibility exists throughout all of the SIG businesses. Health and safety objectives and targets have been established within relevant functions and levels within the organisation.

SIG employs a dedicated Health, Safety and Environmental ("HS&E") Co-ordinator in each of the businesses.  In the UK, Ireland, Poland and France, qualified competent HS&E personnel are employed to provide advice and support the business.  In all other regions and countries external consultants are employed.

All businesses have common written procedures with a training programme for managers.  Local HS&E risk assessments have been completed and HS&E inspections are carried out across all businesses through the competent assistance.  Inspection reports are provided detailing any defects and target actions.  In the UK quantitative audits are carried out and scores have continued to improve in 2010 against the prior year.

The UK HS&E Training Manager has continued the internal HS&E Management training programme for Branch Managers and Directors to include new management in 2010.

2010 saw the launch of the first Group-wide "Accident Reduction" campaign.  The "Slips Trips and Falls" campaign included posters translated into the eleven local languages across all businesses.  Further campaigns are planned for 2011 in a similar format targeting traffic management in branch and manual handling.

Forklift and commercial driver training form an important part of SIG’s Workplace Safety Policy, which impacts on reduced insurance costs, enhanced pedestrian and site safety and an improved working environment. Daily inspections complement periodic training to keep the vehicle and driver at peak performance.

The Group’s accident performance is monitored by the Board on a monthly basis. The overall rate of workplace accidents within the UK operations and the overall Group performance showed a slight improvement.  The number of injury accidents reportable to the HSE under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations (“RIDDOR”) was reduced from 16.8 per 1,000 employees in 2009 to 15.5 per 1,000 employees in 2010.  The equivalent rate for the Group also decreased from 21.4 per 1,000 employees in 2009 to 17.3 per 1,000 employees in 2010.  Regrettably there was an increase in the number of major injuries in the UK.

Accident and Incidents - UK

 Employees

The Group’s policy is to provide equal opportunities to all existing and prospective employees. SIG recognises that its reputation is dependent on the quality, effectiveness and skill base of its employees and is committed to the fair and equitable treatment of all its employees and specifically to prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, nationality or ethnic origin.

Employment opportunities are available to disabled persons in accordance with their abilities on equal terms with other employees.  If an employee becomes disabled during employment the Group makes every effort to enable them to continue employment, by making reasonable adjustments in the workplace and with retraining for alternative work where necessary.

For further information see the SIG Ethics, Whistleblowing, Anti-Corruption and Health, Safety & Environmental Policies