Occupational safety in plastic packaging manufacturing is first and foremost about people’s well-being. We want every Satatuote employee to return home safely after their workday and have a workplace where everyone can do their job comfortably and confidently. Occupational safety is also directly connected to our customers: when people feel well, and work is done safely, production runs smoothly, quality remains consistent, and delivery reliability stays strong.
“It has been great to see how strongly occupational safety has become one of Satatuote’s priorities in recent years.”
My first introduction to Satatuote was as a summer employee, already 12 years ago. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work in many different roles across nearly every production area. Today, I work as a Process Safety Engineer and Occupational Safety Manager. My work focuses on the safety of machines, processes, and working conditions, as well as the identification and systematic management of risks. It has been great to see how strongly occupational safety has become one of Satatuote’s priorities in recent years.
Proactive safety work, together with our people
One of our most important tools in developing occupational safety has been an extensive hazard identification and risk assessment project, where we reviewed our entire production process step by step. Supervisors, the occupational safety organization, and most importantly, our production professionals were closely involved. They know the daily operations best, and therefore they also see the risks most concretely.
“We want to develop things proactively and prevent issues before they occur.”
This work has not only reduced risks but also increased understanding of why safety observations and reporting are important. At Satatuote, occupational safety is not only about reacting to incidents. We want to develop things proactively and prevent issues before they occur.
Safety as part of everyday work
For us, occupational safety is not just instructions or documentation. It is visible in our production facilities, logistics, and internal traffic every single day. We have renewed warehouse solutions, improved the safety of internal logistics, and introduced new safety devices that help prevent hazardous situations before they happen.
“Seeing how strongly safety work is supported, enabled, and valued has been extremely rewarding.”
The role of management and supervisors has been crucial. Seeing how strongly safety work is supported, enabled, and valued has been extremely rewarding. In addition, we have a low hierarchy and open culture: anyone can raise concerns or suggest improvements. This is a major strength both for safety and for overall wellbeing at work.
What does occupational safety mean for our customers?
Occupational safety is often discussed as an internal matter, but from my perspective, it is also strongly linked to our customers. When our people feel well and the working environment is safe, our production is more stable, disruptions are fewer, and quality remains consistent. This leads to better delivery reliability, smoother cooperation, and a trusted long-term partnership.
Safety is also connected to product safety. For example, manufacturing medical device packaging solutions where safety ultimately extends all the way to the patients.
“We want to be one step ahead – not because we must, but because we want to do things right and set a positive example.“
Our vision is to offer the best in class customer experience to our customers. I believe that the importance of occupational safety will continue to grow from the customer perspective as well. I see the development heading towards a situation where safety becomes an increasingly important criterion in supplier selection. That is why we want to be one step ahead – not because we must, but because we want to do things right and set a positive example.
What’s next for safety development at Satatuote?
Occupational safety at Satatuote is never “finished”. We continuously develop our practices, strengthen our safety culture, and communicate more clearly about our work. In the near future, we will certify the occupational health and safety system according to ISO 45001. We already have been working for several years according to these requirements, to ensure that our development remains systematic and sustainable.
For me, occupational safety primarily means two things: the well-being of people and the company’s future competitiveness. When these go hand in hand, we can serve our customers in the best possible way: safely, responsibly, and reliably.
Luukas Marva
Process Safety Engineer
+358 40 484 7537
luukas.marva@satatuote.com
Luukas works as a Process Safety Engineer and has gained broad experience in extrusion and thermoforming. He has spent the past year in his current role, leading a company-wide risk assessment project.