Our People

Health and Safety

(GRI 2-23, 3-3, 403-1, 403-2, 403-3, 403-4, 403-5, 403-6, 403-7, 403-8, 403-9
SASB FB-MP-320a.1, FB-MP-320a.2)

The health and safety of our team members is paramount. Across all regions, we integrate health and safety into our organizational fabric, tailoring strategies to local contexts while maintaining global standards. Our Global Health and Safety Policy serves as the foundation for our strategy and management approach, promoting alignment with relevant regulatory requirements in every country where we operate. We also have established formal global health and safety committees, with representation from both management and hourly workers.

Throughout our operations, we work to foster a culture of accountability that empowers each team member to understand and practice health and safety guidelines while remaining vigilant. This is reinforced by frequent team member training and development around our Global Health and Safety Policy and Code of Conduct and Ethics. In addition, we regularly evaluate the effectiveness of our programs by conducting internal and third-party audits, collecting feedback, and making any adjustments as needed. Globally, JBS has a goal to improve performance against its Global Safety Index* by 30% by 2025 vs. a 2019 baseline. As of 2024, we have achieved a 71% improvement.

*Safety Index = number of severe injuries for every 100 employees [(Severe Injuries*200,000)/Total Hours Worked]. Severe Injury = Any injury resulting in amputation, fatality, in-patient hospitalization, vision loss, second- or third-degree burns, or fractures that results in greater than fifteen days lost time, and any other injury that results in greater than fifteen days lost time.

Although independent contractors comprise a small portion of our total workforce, we protect the health and safety of our contractors similar to our approach to our employees.

JBS Global Health and Management System Coverage

(GRI 403-8)

JBS Global Health and Management System Coverage
Workforce Type	Covered by a Health and Safety Management System	Covered by a Health and Safety Management System that is Internally Audited	Covered by a Health and Safety Management System that is Externally Audited or Certified
Employees	100%	93%	15%

Our safety governance structure and management approach are guided by our Global Workplace Health and Safety Policy and aligned to the relevant regulatory requirements of each country in which we operate. We defer to governing bodies like those listed below to evaluate the effectiveness of external safety audit processes, collect feedback, and make necessary adjustments.

Health and Safety Programs :

(GRI 403-1, 403-2, 403-3, 403-4, 403-7, 403-9, SASB FB-MP-320a.1)

Australia:

JBS Australia emphasizes safety through its Work Health and Safety Policy and Safety Framework, which conforms to...

Australia:

JBS Australia emphasizes safety through its Work Health and Safety Policy and Safety Framework, which conforms to the Australian Standard (AS) 4801, addressing risks such as contractor management, emergency response, and hazardous tasks. The Group Risk Team sets governance standards, while each division has safety operations managers and injury management resources supporting team members at the site level. Committees governed by legislation meet at least 10 times annually to review hazards, injuries, and safety program outcomes.

Brazil:

In Brazil, JBS operates under an Integrated Health and Safety Policy that supports...

Brazil:

In Brazil, JBS operates under an Integrated Health and Safety Policy that supports its Self-Management Health and Safety Program. This program standardizes procedures related to Occupational Health and Safety, monitoring compliance with legal and internal requirements while driving continuous improvement. Each business unit has dedicated health and safety leaders reporting to the Corporate Team, with site-level teams structured according to Regulatory Standard 4 (NR4).

Additionally, all units in Brazil have an Internal Commission for the Prevention of Accidents at Work (CIPA), which meets monthly to address process improvements and participate in inspections, risk mapping, and safety campaigns.

Canada:

In Canada, our Health and Safety Management System is aligned with the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) legislation. In addition, our Alberta facilites are a holder of...

Canada:

In Canada, our Health and Safety Management System is aligned with the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) legislation. In addition, our Alberta facilites are a holder of a Certificate of Recognition (COR) through certified auditor, Alberta Food Processing Association (AFPA). Through a 3rd part, the program confirms JBS Canada has a robust system in place to certify HSMS has been developed, implemented, and evaluated under Alberta Provincial Standards. The annual audit requirement encourages ongoing review and improvement of safety systems, making safety a proactive part of our operation. The program is overseen by the Safety and Health Services departments.

Europe:

Health and safety practices across Pilgrim’s Europe are guided by 10 Safety Principles and Health and Safety Executive RIDDOR (Reporting of Incidents, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences) regulations. Performance is driven by continuous improvement standards and measured against federal metrics, such as DART, and internal safety indexes. The Head of HSE & Risk leads a team of divisional and specialist resources to implement safety initiatives across the business, with additional facility teams reporting through divisional structures to maintain alignment with corporate strategy.

At Rigamonti, health and safety actions are conducted in accordance with applicable Italian and European legislation and guided by ISO 45001principles – to which four facilities are scheduled to receive third-party certification on in 2025. The program is overseen by a group HSE Manager as well as business-unit-specific health and safety representatives and occupational physicians.

Mexico:

Pilgrim’s Mexico promotes zero accidents and a culture of self-care and prevention among team members. Its health and safety structure includes...

Mexico:

Pilgrim’s Mexico promotes zero accidents and a culture of self-care and prevention among team members. Its health and safety structure includes national and corporate management teams, industrial safety headquarters, medical doctors, security technicians, and nurses, maintaining comprehensive oversight and alignment with company goals. Pilgrim’s Mexico also operates a Health and Safety Committee, which meets monthly to analyze workplace risks, incidents, and the effectiveness of safety measures, with authority to recommend safety policies.

United States:

In the United States, JBS follows the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970, state, federal, and local regulations, and...

United States:

In the United States, JBS follows the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970, state, federal, and local regulations, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) General Industry Safety Standards. Health and safety actions are overseen by a Shared Services Head of Safety, Health, Security, and Labor as well as the respective Heads of Safety for each business unit. Additional directors, managers, and facility-level personnel oversee the integration of safety practices into daily operations.

Further, most U.S. locations hold monthly safety committee meetings, while Pilgrim’s U.S. includes Department Safety Representatives (DSRs) who conduct pre-shift safety inspections and meet with Complex Safety Managers.

Actions to Support Health and Safety

(GRI 403-2, 403-3, 403-4, 403-7)

1. Audits

Each year, JBS locations conduct comprehensive audits of their safety management systems, fleet safety, and occupational health to verify compliance with applicable legislation and company procedures. Many facilities also perform detailed safety analysis audits to identify and mitigate potential hazards. These audits prioritize early risk detection and include comprehensive reviews of policies and programs aimed at preventing electrical safety issues, ergonomic challenges, slips and falls, and machine guarding concerns.

2. Corrective Actions

While JBS prioritizes health and safety training and accident prevention, incidents can still occur. It is essential to acknowledge, report, and learn from these events. All facilities follow formal incident investigation procedures and/or utilize dedicated committees to analyze and address injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. These investigations help prevent similar incidents by identifying trends, weaknesses in safety management, and root causes. This process also enables the development of effective corrective action plans. Additionally, business units regularly share incident investigation findings across locations to promote learning and enhance preventative measures.

3. Data-Driven Insights

We have integrated safety data across digital platforms to identify enterprise-wide trends and best practices related to health and safety. Data-driven insights support us to perform root-cause analysis and take corrective actions such as audits and safety inspections. Insights also help us to define best practices that we can share across the organization.

4. Innovation

We continue to find new ways to leverage cutting-edge technology to enhance team member safety, such as using bladestop technology.

5. Open Communication and “Right to Speak” Policy

JBS provides team members with multiple channels to report hazardous situations, promoting accessibility and fostering a culture of safety. Globally, all team members have 24/7 access to anonymous reporting via the JBS Ethics Line. Additional resources vary by region and business unit. In Brazil, team members can use the Comunique tool, Importances of Improvement Opportunities, within the Self-Management Health and Safety Program (PSSAG) or report risks to Cipeiros and Brigadistas, guided by NR1 and NR9 legislation. In the U.S., team members can report unsafe conditions through HR or safety personnel, OSHA, kiosks, or the JBS Connect app. JBS Australia offers reporting options via leaders, HR representatives, site safety officers, health and safety committees, or the CooEe app. Pilgrim’s Mexico enables reporting through supervisors, safety teams, suggestion boxes, or anonymous channels. Pilgrim’s U.S. leverages its Go for Zero Hero program to help encourage team members at all levels to share ownership of safety. Team members can submit a safety observation form in the Connect App on their phones during breaks, notifying local safety and operations leadership of the suspected issue. Participating team members can earn prizes and receive recognition from local HR for their efforts.These mechanisms empower team members globally to speak up if they notice an unsafe act or condition so that we can address risks swiftly and effectively. Our company policy prohibits retaliation, and we emphasize the importance of reporting to the success of our organization. Any incidence of retaliation against an employee for such actions will result in the immediate termination of the person engaging in the retaliation. As a final precaution, we advise team members that they are entitled to remove themselves from any situation they deem to be unsafe.

6. Safety Goals, Indexing, and Measurement

JBS is dedicated to achieving meaningful improvements in health and safety through targeted programs, measurable goals, and consistent monitoring. Each region implements tailored initiatives that align with the company’s overarching objective to achieve 30% improvement in Global Safety Index* performance by 2025 vs. 2019 baseline. Across our operations, leading safety indicators are reported weekly to all heads of HR, safety, operations, and business unit presidents. All operational supervisors must conduct multiple safety observations each week and intervene with helpful coaching to prevent an unsafe act, condition, or injury. JBS USA has made significant progress toward its safety goals, improving its Safety Index by 11.6% from 2023 to 2024. The region launched a five-year strategy focused on eliminating severe injuries, reducing ergonomic injuries by 50%, and strengthening its safety culture. In 2024, JBS USA achieved a 6.5% decrease in severe injuries and a 15.1% reduction in Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred (DART) rates, demonstrating the impact of its proactive approach. JBS Australia has surpassed expectations, achieving a 68% reduction in its Safety Index compared to the 2019 baseline, far exceeding its 2024 target. Key initiatives include implementing Work Safe Rules, conducting psychosocial risk assessments, reviewing PPE, and upgrading cattle induction yards to minimize human-animal interaction. These efforts led to a 50% reduction in severe injuries in 2024, showcasing the effectiveness of its risk management strategies. Pilgrim’s Mexico has prioritized building a safety-focused culture while implementing preventive health measures, particularly for team members with degenerative diseases. The region deployed devices to enhance workplace safety and achieved notable reductions in accident rates between 2020 and 2024.

Global Safety Performace

(GRI 403-9, SASB FB-MP-320a.1)

Training and Education

GRI 403-5

We provide frequent health and safety training to minimize work-related injuries and illnesses across our facilities. This comprehensive training includes new team member orientation, job- and task-specific instruction, departmental safety meetings, and regular refresher courses. All newly hired team members are required to complete classroom and department-specific training, offered in multiple languages to promote accessibility.

Promoting Health and Well-being in the Workplace

GRI 403-6, SASB FB-MP320a.2

JBS is dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of our team members through comprehensive medical services, health promotion programs, and preventive care initiatives. Across our global operations, JBS provides access to both occupational and non-work-related health services, offering employees resources to maintain their physical and mental well-being.

In the U.S., many locations feature onsite Occupational Health Clinics staffed by licensed medical professionals, providing free care for work-related injuries and illnesses. JBS Australia promotes health and well-being through early intervention programs for work and non-work-related injuries, discounted private health insurance, and a Wellbeing App that provides remote access to counseling, diet, exercise, and financial support services. The company also organizes health checks, including skin and blood pressure screenings, to encourage preventive care. Pilgrim’s Mexico offers onsite infirmary services for immediate medical needs, regular health screenings, and vaccination campaigns.

Case Studies:

In 2024, we continued to strengthen our efforts to create safer and healthier workplaces across JBS Brazil.

Two core initiatives—Behavioral Observation (Observação Comportamental) and the Comunique system—remained central to our safety strategy, promoting proactive measures and reinforcing a culture of accountability. Behavioral Observation helps identify deviations from safe practices during task execution. Leaders and managers applied this tool regularly throughout the year to help protect the safety of their teams. The Comunique system focused on accident prevention by encouraging employees and third parties to proactively report risks and unsafe conditions. This initiative fostered engagement and commitment at all levels of JBS Brazil, reinforcing our dedication in 2024 to maintaining a safe working environment.