Safety Policies & Programs

Policy Key Points

Policy

Introduction

Yaskawa America, Inc. will take proactive steps to protect the workplace in the event of an infectious disease outbreak. It is the goal of Yaskawa during any such time period to strive to operate effectively and ensure that all essential services are continuously provided and that associates are safe within the workplace.

Yaskawa is committed to providing authoritative information about the nature and spread of infectious diseases, including symptoms and signs to watch for, as well as required steps to be taken in the event of an illness or outbreak.

Preventing the Spread of Infection in the Workplace During an Epidemic or Pandemic

n epidemic is a disease that affects a large number of people within a community population, or region. Epidemics can be declared by the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control, or other governmental health agencies. A pandemic is an epidemic that has spread over multiple countries or continents. A pandemic is declared by the World Health Organization.

In the event of a pandemic (as declared by the World Health Organization) that occurs within a region in which Yaskawa America, Inc. has physical locations, Yaskawa shall develop protocols specific to the disease. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines will define the minimum level of precautions. Yaskawa may provide additional restrictions based upon multiple factors including, but not limited to:

• Other sources, such as the World Health Organization,
• Reputable medical sources,
• Published and peer reviewed studies,
• Discretion of Yaskawa Executive Management

These protocols shall be monitored and updated as needed throughout the pandemic as new guidelines and information emerge.

These protocols shall remain in effect until the World Health Organization declares the disease is no longer a pandemic and as determined by the Yaskawa Management Committee as best appropriate.

In the event of an epidemic or pandemic that occurs in a region in which Yaskawa associates travel for business purposes, the traveling associate shall obtain Vice Presidential approval for the travel and if approved, contact Yaskawa’s Environmental, Health, and Safety Department to receive appropriate protocols.

In the event of an epidemic that occurs within a region in which Yaskawa America, Inc. has physical locations, Yaskawa’s Environmental, Health, and Safety Department shall review public health guidelines to determine if Yaskawa’s Standard Precautions (as described in the next section) are sufficient to control the spread of the disease or if additional protocols are necessary.

Yaskawa will suspend or limit in-person meetings, large group trainings, or events during active outbreaks, in accordance with CDC and WHO guidance.

In the event that a significant percentage of personnel become ill, Yaskawa will implement measures such as remote or hybrid work, cross-training, and prioritized staffing of critical functions to ensure essential operations continue.

During a pandemic, Yaskawa will coordinate with customers and suppliers to share operational updates, health and safety protocols, and travel policies to ensure transparency and minimize disruption.

Standard Precautions - Preventing the Spread of Infection in the Workplace at All Times

Immunizations

Yaskawa encourages associates to receive appropriate immunizations, including annual flu shots and other vaccines recommended by the CDC or local health authorities during epidemics or pandemics.

Fever (Temperature of 100.4° F or greater)

Yaskawa provides paid personal days and other benefits for associates who are ill. Associates shall not enter a Yaskawa facility nor conduct Yaskawa business outside of their home if the associate has had a fever of 100.4° F or higher within the previous 24-hours. Associate shall not return to a Yaskawa facility, nor conduct Yaskawa business outside of their home, until 24-hours after the fever has abated without taking medication to reduce the fever.

If an associate acquires a fever while already working in a Yaskawa facility, or conducting Yaskawa business outside of their home, they shall notify their supervisor and go home. They shall not return until 24-hours after the fever has abated without taking medication to reduce the fever.

Common Cold type symptoms in absence of a fever

Common cold type symptoms includes coughing, sneezing, and runny nose.

Associates are encouraged to wear a face mask that covers their mouth and nose when they are experiencing common cold type symptoms.

Associates should not make physical contact (eg. shaking hands) with other people when they are experiencing common cold type symptoms.

Frequent Hand Washing with Soap and Water

Many pathogens are transmitted when the microorganism is touched then we touch a mucous membrane such as our eyes, mouth, or nose. Frequent hand-washing using soap and water is strongly encouraged.

Maintaining a Clean Workplace

Associates shall keep their work areas clean. Yaskawa encourages associates to disinfect their personal work space at least once a week.

Yaskawa contracts with cleaning services to clean and disinfect surfaces in common areas.

Implementing Lessons Learned following a Pandemic Response

Throughout an active pandemic and following the conclusion of a pandemic, Yaskawa's EHS and Executive Management team will conduct a debriefing to identify lessons learned, update protocols accordingly, and incorporate changes into future response plans.

Records Related to this Policy

Pandemic/Epidemic specific protocols shall be posted on the network or Yaskawa Safety Website throughout the duration. Yaskawa’s Environmental, Health, and Safety Department shall retain relevant revisions for historical purposes.

Training Related to this Policy

Training for this policy shall be included in Yaskawa’s General Health and Safety Training and provided to all associates.

Training for pandemic/epidemic specific associates shall be provided to all affected associates.

The Infectious Disease Prevention and Protection program will be reviewed annually and updated as needed. In the event of a pandemic, post-event reviews will be completed to assess response effectiveness.

Revision History

Rev #	Description	Release Date	Approved by
0	Initial release	5/8/2020	Thurwanger
1	Updated post-COVID	4/1/2022	Thurwanger

Program Review

Review Date	Reviewed by	Changes Required (Yes/No)	Revision # if updated
1/13/2022	Thurwanger	Yes	1
1/26/2023	Thurwanger	No
1/11/2024	Thurwanger	No
1/16/2025	Thurwanger	No