Sonae Sierra obtains safety certs for 6 malls in Portugal

Sonae Sierra concluded in 2009 the Safety & Health certification, under the OHSAS 18001 standard, of five of its shopping centres in Portugal. The centres are Centro Vasco da Gama, NorteShopping, GaiaShopping, ArrábidaShopping and Estação Viana.

They join Centro Colombo which obtained its certification in 2008. This certification, issued by TÜV Rheinland Portugal, a German multinational leader in the certification area, acknowledges the quality of the Safety & Health system implemented in the management of those centres.

OHSAS 18001 is a standard that validates a Management System (like ISO 9001 and ISO 14001) orientated towards Safety & Health at work, working as a tool which allows companies to manage and control its levels of performance in those areas, according to the objectives, policies, and action plans set by the company itself.

In practical terms, this certification ensures a greater control over the risks identified in the building (common and technical areas) which may threaten the physical integrity of visitors, employees, service providers and tenants. Through risk control - such as slippery surfaces, obstacles in the mall, fires, etc - incidents are prevented inside shopping centres.

Sonae Sierra said the certifications reinforces its conviction that people are the most valuable asset, and their integrity must be protected. For the company, this attitude is a competitive edge and a differentiating factor regarding the competition. In 2008, the company record a 43% reduction in number of days lost due to work accidents or professional diseases, compared to the three previous years.

In 2008, Sonae Sierra became the first European company in the shopping centre sector to obtain certification for its corporate system. More recently, the company became the first in Europe to obtain the Safety & Health certification for the management of the construction of a shopping centre, LeiriaShopping, which is scheduled to open to the public on 25 March.

Internationally, Sonae Sierra also has four certified centres in Spain, three in Brazil and one in Italy.