APRIL provides update on the action plan based on Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS) Audit as at February 1999

The APRIL Group today released its annual update on the progress made since the SGS Audit was conducted in February 1998.
The findings of the SGS Audit identified key areas for improvement and provided the basis for APRIL to implement an action plan to improve several areas of its forestry operations and environmental practices. These improvements are still on-going and have been incorporated into APRIL's daily forestry operations. Some of the main areas identified for improvement are highlighted below:
Operational Health and Safety
Key procedures were reviewed, clarified and updated. During the review, three main guidelines were prepared covering health and environmental, chemical handling and housekeeping. The aim is to raise the level of environmental awareness at all levels with the Group. During the year, APRIL worked towards creating a safer working environment for its employees. In an effort to reduce the accident rate and improve safety on-site, a new logging system was created and the truck drivers undergo basic and defensive driving training.