SUSTAINABILITY
We recognise the importance of operating in a sustainable manner, thus meeting the needs of today without jeopardising our ability to meet the needs of tomorrow.
The Board assumes ultimate responsibility for sustainability, however management accountability is integral to delivering our sustainability objectives. In line with King IV, sustainability is integrated into both the governance and strategy of WBHO. Full details of our sustainability strategy, approach and implementation can be found in the Environmental, Social and Governance report under the Investor section of the website.
WBHO’s sustainability objectives revolve around the following pillars:-
- OUR PEOPLE
- HEALTH AND SAFETY
- TRANSFORMATION
- QUALITY
- SOCIAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
- ENVIRONMENT
Engaging with our stakeholders is also a key aspect of our approach to sustainability. We seek to elicit their views and concerns — including, but not limited to, shareholders, clients, suppliers, employees, analysts, regulatory authorities, civil society organisations and academics — and to incorporate these into our sustainability strategy.
THE GLOBAL REPORTING INITIATIVE
When measuring our progress towards sustainability, we are guided by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reporting guidelines and the GRI Construction and Real Estate Sector Supplement (CRESS) and we believe that the information provided on this website, together with our annual integrated report, fulfils these requirements.
OUR PEOPLE
Our people are the key stakeholders of the organisation and essential to its continued success and sustainability. As a result, we are committed to providing a safe, healthy and enabling workplace that is characterised by mutual respect, fairness, integrity, non-discrimination, equal opportunities and open, two-way engagement. We provide well-structured employment contracts and fair and competitive remuneration in accordance with our Remuneration policy and with oversight from the Remuneration committee.
Owing to the geographic diversity of our workforce, we have developed appropriate global, regional and site-based policies and programmes. We follow the guidelines promulgated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and comply with all legislation governing conditions of employment and labour relations in the countries in which we operate.
Whenever possible, we identify internal talent for development rather than hire from outside and have a policy of developing and promoting people from within the group. Investing in the development of our people is a pro-active way of ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of our business.
HEALTH & SAFETY
As a contractor with an international footprint, operating across Africa and the United Kingdom, it is essential that WBHO holds itself to the very highest health and safety standards. Construction is inherently a high-risk activity and we recognise that we have a moral and legal obligation to safeguard and protect the wellbeing of all people present on our construction sites and at our premises. We strive for a work environment that achieves ‘zero harm’, which means operating without fatalities and a minimum number of lost-time injuries.
We apply best practice when implementing our safety policies and procedures and our safety management system is ISO 45000 certified. However, we also recognise that policies and procedures alone do not create a safe working environment and continue to entrench a strong safety-minded culture amongst our employees through numerous training and awareness initiatives.
WBHO is also committed to the sustained wellness and personal growth of its employees. The Group follows a holistic and integrated approach to employee wellness, which alongside regular medical fitness programmes, includes collaborating with on-site occupational health services and enlisting the service of wellness experts.
TRANSFORMATION
WBHO understands that it has a duty and a responsibility to contribute towards redressing historical inequalities within South Africa. An inclusive and representative economy in which all South Africans are able to participate is vital for the future sustainability and success of the country and by virtue thereof, the sustainability of WBHO. Consequently, WBHO is committed to achieving long-term, meaningful broad-based transformation within the business and the industry at large. Our commitment is to actively pursue the transfer of skills and economic benefits to previously disadvantaged individuals and local communities, while also seeking to promote representation of these individuals within the various management structures of WBHO. This includes adhering to the construction sector codes, promoting and supporting the implementation of employment equity, skills development and training, enterprise and supplier development and our Voluntary Rebuild Programme.
QUALITY
We strive to ensure the highest levels of quality are achieved across every facet of our operations. The aim of quality management is to ensure that the highest levels of quality are consistently attained on all projects by using the best and latest construction practices within the core activities of the Group. By continuously improving and evolving our processes in a collaborative way, we ensure compliance with our own internal standards as well as external specifications, thereby enhancing client satisfaction. The quality management system is certified against ISO 9001 requirements in all areas of operation, and a dedicated team of quality personnel ensure continuous compliance with this standard.
SOCIAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
We build up communities
WBHO has always embraced the concept of social responsibility as a moral obligation, having implemented SED programmes well before the introduction of legislated spend. We have an SED policy to ensure that our programmes are implemented according to approved guidelines. Programmes are designed to benefit both the community and the Group in a sustainable, measurable, tangible and transparent manner. We understand that construction companies are well placed to uplift communities particularly in the remote rural areas where we operate. Our aim is to provide assistance within our field of expertise.
ENVIRONMENT
The construction industry is currently deemed a high impact industry and we fully acknowledge our moral and legal responsibility to safeguard the environment and the wellbeing of all those affected by the activities of the company. We have embraced the importance of protecting the environment and are committed to maintaining the highest standards of environmental protection throughout every phase of the construction process. We apply best practice when implementing our environmental policies and procedures and our environmental management system is ISO 14001 certified.
As an organisation, we acknowledge that climate change is perhaps the biggest threat facing the planet. Consequently, we are committed to making a concerted effort to operate in an ever more energy-efficient and sustainable manner. We also acknowledge that carbon emission reduction is an essential element in the fight against climate change and have participated in the international Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) since 2007.
‘Green buildings’ are designed, built and operated in an environmentally sustainable and energy-efficient manner. The Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) rates buildings according to a series of environmental and energy-related specifications. WBHO has been an active member of the GBCSA since 2013.