Atlas Copco South Africa won the Swedish Workplace HIV and AIDS Programme (SWHAP) Achievement Award for the best workplace programme at the 2009 Annual Conference gala dinner held on Thursday 15 October in Johannesburg.

The SWHAP is jointly initiated and implemented by the International Council of Swedish Industry and the Swedish Industrial and Metalworkers' Union. The SWHAP Achievement Award was introduced 2008 to encourage and reward successful and innovative workplace initiatives. The aim is to further commitment at the workplace level to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS and alleviate the effects of the HIV pandemic. The SWHAP hopes to inspire companies to amplify their efforts to become spearheads in responding HIV and AIDS.  Since start 2004 more than 50 workplaces have been involved in SWHAP.  It currently operates in Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It is co-financed by Swedish Sida.

"The SWHAP Board motivation for the award is that due to the continuous commitment and support, Atlas Copco has created a sustainable HIV/AIDS Workplace Programme since 2003. The success is built on the involvement by the workers and the management creating trust around the programme. Benefits are that no employees first tested negative have later been tested positive. An added benefit is that the programme also has led to as estimated one million Rand reduction in risk costs per annum on the pension scheme which also benefits the employees."

Piet Leys, the Managing Director of Atlas Copco says: "This Award provides great recognition of our HIV/Aids Workplace programme. A lot of dedication, focus and effort has gone into our programme. Through our programme, we don't just focus on our employees, but also provide financial support to organizations assisting those infected and affected by HIV in communities where our employees live.  The respect and dignity of those who access are programmes is always upheld."

In future, Atlas Copco wants to partner with other Swedish companies to share costs. They also plan to include more issues around traditional healers and gender equality within their training.

The SWHAP Achievement Award is granted to a workplace engaged in the Swedish Workplace HIV/Aids Programme in Sub-Saharan Africa. The selection is based on a scoring card consisting of almost 30 variables relating to comprehensible workplace programme. Also shortlisted for the 2009 Award are Atlas Copco Zambia, Sandvik Zimbabwe, Volvo South Africa and Ericsson Kenya. 

About Atlas Copco SA

AB Atlas was founded in 1873 with the mission to manufacture and sell railway equipment. At the time, it was the largest manufacturing company in Sweden. Today Atlas Copco is a world leading provider of industrial productivity solutions. Atlas Copco SA (Pty) Ltd has grown into a major force in the South African mining and construction industries and today employs over 800 people in South Africa. The products and services range from compressed air and gas equipment, generators, construction and mining equipment, industrial tools and assembly systems to related aftermarket and rental. South Africa's relationship with Atlas Copco dates back to 1926, at which time Delfos Limited became the official agent for Atlas Diesel in South Africa.

CONTACTS

Atlas Copco contact person is: Wendy Buffa-Pace, Group Human Resources Manager,               +27 (0)83 633 6418         +27 (0)83 633 6418

SWAHP contact person is Ludvig Hubendick:               +46 707 919 377         +46 707 919 377