Safe and Healthy Workplace
Employee Safety
We strive for an injury-free workplace by identifying, preventing, mitigating and responding to safety risks and incidents and complying with applicable safety laws, regulations and industry practices.
We proactively drive a culture of safety – starting at the top. Our Global Head of Environment, Health and Safety is responsible for global employee safety and provides quarterly updates to our senior management and annual updates to our Board of Directors. Annually, senior leaders from our Operations, Research and Development and Global Commercial Operations convene for a safety summit to review performance, share insights and set safety expectations for the upcoming year. Each leader develops a safety plan, ensuring it cascades throughout their respective teams.
Our actions are guided by our global Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) policy and additional policies based on U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards and international standards, where appropriate. These policies apply to all employees and contingent workforce at Amgen sites globally. We implement our safety programs through our EHS management system.
We provide job-specific safety training tailored to each role, starting with new hire orientation which includes ergonomics training. Additional task- and role-specific training is provided as needed. Contractors and suppliers also receive safety training as part of their onboarding process. Regular safety discussions between supervisors and frontline workers reinforce our commitment to safety. Employees are encouraged to report safety observations and concerns through various channels, including anonymously.
We track injuries and near-miss incidents through our incident tracking system. Quarterly reviews of safety performance by executive management help identify early safety signals and drive continuous improvements across our Operations, Global Commercial Operations, and R&D facilities.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees are responsible for safety. Amgen staff are expected to:
- Ensure that work conditions in their area meet company safety requirements.
- Know how to use and maintain equipment used in their job and to wear any necessary protective equipment.
- Be responsible for any visitors they bring onsite.
- Be familiar with the health and safety rules for their site or area, including emergency response plans.
Amgen does not tolerate offensive, threatening or violent behavior, whether verbal or physical. The company strictly prohibits possession of firearms or weapons of any kind on company premises (including vehicles parked on company property), at off-premises company events or while on company business.
Highlights of Our Safety Program
Ergonomics
We provide ergonomic training, ergonomically correct equipment, and ergonomic risk assessments to all employees – whether they work at an Amgen site or remotely. We also offer movement specialists at many of our sites to reduce the risk of ergonomic-related injuries.
Chemical Safety
We have rigorous procedures and controls in place to protect employees from exposure to chemicals. Through our comprehensive approach, we closely monitor chemicals from the time they are purchased to the time of disposal. Our labeling system provides clear and user-friendly directions for proper storage and safe handling of chemicals.
Noise Management
Amgen conducts assessments and implements various engineering control measures to manage the noise levels of our equipment and processes. We also conduct regular noise exposure assessments to identify and mitigate any noise hazards. We provide affected employees with medical surveillance, appropriate training, information and personal protective equipment to help ensure their safety and well-being.
Learn more
For safety performance data, see Amgen's ESG Report.
Employee Health
Our occupational health programs support Amgen employees – from those working on the manufacturing floor and in our research labs to employees working remotely and in our corporate offices. In addition to managing work-related conditions, our health teams provide travel consultations to prepare staff for health and safety risks while traveling. Employees also have access to flu shots and other vaccination services, on-site health screenings, and ergonomic assessments.
All U.S.-based Amgen employees have access to a behavioral health program that provides them and their dependents with mental healthcare. Employees outside the United States are eligible for behavioral health support consistent with national health programs in their respective country and/or via a supplemental program sponsored by Amgen. We also offer resources to Amgen managers to help them recognize and respond to employees possibly in need of help.
Going Beyond the Norm
Beyond traditional health and medical benefits that we offer to employees in many countries, we also offer innovative programs in some countries such as:
- Access to fitness facilities or membership reimbursement
- Virtual group fitness classes for employees and their families
- Bi-weekly mental health breaks featuring five-minute mindfulness videos
- Access to registered dietitians for nutrition and lifestyle guidance
- Pet insurance
- Access to academic coaches to help parents and their children navigate the path to college
These programs and benefits are part of a comprehensive approach to safety and well-being known as Amgen Total Workforce Health. This shared vision builds upon our strong foundation to connect the physical, psychological, and social aspects of work, placing the worker at the center and is designed to enhance communication, build resilience, and measure the effectiveness of our health and safety programs.
Learn More
Human Capital Management
Last updated August 2024