We work systematically with safety, work environment and inclusion
Södra works systematically to ensure a safe and secure work environment, based on a vision of zero accident vision and behaviour-based safety. Efforts for diversity, equality and inclusion are followed up with clear goals, training and key metrics.
Södra shall offer a safe, secure and caring workplace with a zero vision for occupational injuries. We work to break down traditional cultural barriers through increased diversity, equity and inclusion. Some examples that illustrate this:
Safe member prevents risks
Safe Member provides support and information for all of us who work in the forest – with a focus on preventing risks and creating safe behaviours. The initiative includes:
- A toolkit with checklists, digital courses and practical advice
- Training in chainsaw and clearing saw operator licenses together with the organisation Safe Forest (Sw: Säker skog), which includes Södra
- Redoubled efforts focused on behaviour-based safety and risk assessment, especially in conjunction with lone work
- Customized first-aid trainings
The Tryggve app for lone work
Södra has developed the Tryggve app, which makes lone work safer. The user sets a safety timer before a hazardous operation. If the timer does not end in time, an alarm with coordinates is sent to the emergency contacts chosen by the person via SMS and push notification.
Zero accident vision for occupational injuries
Our zero accident vision means that all accidents must be preventable. Södra works systematically to create a sustainable and safe everyday life for members, employees and contractors. We work with behavioural based safety (BBS), which is based on identifying risky behaviours, reinforcing safe behaviours and reducing unsafe behaviours.
Statistics on occupational injuries and occupational injury frequency
The occupational injury rate measured as lost time accident rate (LTAR, number of occupational injuries with absence per million hours worked) has halved since 2016 and the number of occupational injuries with absence is less than half compared to 2016.
Diversity, equity and inclusion
Diversity, equity and inclusion are prerequisites for a good work environment, well-being and sustainable growth. Södra is to be a workplace and association where everyone feels welcome, respected and valued. The skills and resources of all employees must be utilised in the best possible way under equal conditions, regardless of gender, gender identity or gender expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation, age or similar personal factors.
In 2025, among other things:
- around a hundred training sessions for employees and elected representatives have been carried out
- the digital training course "Södra's view on diversity, equality and inclusion" has been launched
- Södra has participated in Pride events and marked International Women's Day, Men's Day and the Week Against Domestic Violence
- a group-wide directive with guidelines against discrimination and for equal rights has been developed
- Södra has been nominated for the Swedish Gender Equality Award and is highlighted as a good example by the Swedish Federation of Industrial Employers.
Södra strives for a more even gender distribution in the organisation, and the target is that the proportion of women in staff management positions, i.e. those who have employee responsibility, is to be 35 percent by 2028. In 2025, the target for the year of 28 percent women was reached. There is also a goal that at least 40 per cent of elected representatives in Södra, i.e. hold positions of trust, should be women. In 2025, the proportion of women on the councils of trustees of the forestry areas was 34 per cent.