BOC Report and accounts 2005 - Alle jaarverslagen

28 The BOC Group plc Annual report and accounts 2005 Social, environmental and ethical performance
Overall safety performance
Lost workday case rate
Total recordable case rate
Passenger car avoidable
accident rate
Truck avoidable accident rate
2004 2005
0.41 0.37
1.18 1.09
2.12
2.38
1.81
2.20
Safety, health and the environment
There are no greater priorities for BOC than the health and safety of our employees, contractors, suppliers,
customers and local communities, and the protection of the environment. BOC is committed to excellence in
managing these areas through normal business practice assisted by its safety, health, environment and quality
(SHEQ) function.
SHEQ policies and procedures are the responsibility of the Group chief executive and are implemented by
BOC’s businesses with the support of the SHEQ function.The SHEQ department works within the businesses to
ensure that the Group has a deliverable policy, is active in its risk management and professional in its mitigation.
BOC has well-established programmes to drive improvement in SHEQ performance. Employees are required
to comply with all external regulations and the Group’s policies and Code of Conduct. Suppliers are expected to
meet minimum standards set by BOC’s ethical purchasing policy.
SHEQ management standards, procedures and tools are embedded in Group practice by the organisation’s
integrated management systems and standards (see IMSS section above). IMSS outlines the standards and actions
needed to align with, or conform to, internationally accredited certifications such as ISO 9000 (quality assurance),
ISO 14001 (environment) and ISO 18001 (health and safety).
BOC met its objectives in 2005 when the Group:
• Retained safety, health and environment as the top priority at EMB level;
• Retained SHEQ at the forefront of Group and business unit employee communications;
• Sustained emphasis on behavioural safety through the Safety in BOC programme;
• Improved safety and environmental performance against 2004 figures;
• Transitioned to using proactive measures (leading indicators), in addition to the traditionally reported lagging
indicators, to measure SHEQ performance;
• Took positive measures to improve road transport safety;
• Continued to conduct its annual environment survey to highlight opportunities for continuous improvement;
• Set initial environmental targets for 2006 and beyond.
Along with the Code of Conduct and the Group’s ACTS operating principles, the Safety in BOC programme
ensures that SHEQ issues are managed consistently across all countries and businesses, in accordance with our
SHEQ policies and principles.
Safety
Safety is BOC’s highest priority and the Group has one simple goal: zero incidents and injuries. Safety is the first
agenda item at every EMB and business executive meeting. Great emphasis is put on providing all our employees
with the necessary training, equipment and safeguards such that no-one gets hurt. Business managers around the
world, with SHEQ support, continually strive to improve safety performance and, through our Safety in BOC
programme, are now focusing on individuals’ behaviour and the effect that safe and unsafe behaviour has on the
organisation.
Each business unit has a SHEQ function, reporting to the business unit’s executive and the Group SHEQ
function through a global peer group.This ensures that global best practice and the functional requirements of the
business and Group are always at the forefront of management thinking.
BOC manufactures and distributes products that are potentially hazardous, some being stored at very low
temperature or under pressure, and some having toxic or flammable properties. Consequently, the Group is
committed to reducing the risk of harm to people through its products. Operating safely and communicating safe
working practices are an integral part of its safety and product stewardship processes.
It is important for the Group not only to have clear and measurable performance standards practised by all
BOC employees, plants, depots and distributors, but also to disseminate these safe working practices to our
customers and suppliers. IMSS contains product safety and stewardship instructions, policies and procedures. Each
product line has specific standards attached to it. BOC undertakes research into the health and safety of its
products, keeps abreast of new scientific information and works with industry and public bodies to reduce risk and
share learning.This year BOC launched an online safety advice service, bocsafety.net, to help customers identify risks
and unsafe practices and adopt guidance on best practice to comply with the law.
BOC continuously strives to improve safety in the workplace and combat the root causes of safety incidents.
In 2005 BOC Edwards, which manufactures hazardous gases for use in processing semiconductors, was recognised
for its safety performance. In South Africa, BOC Edwards received two NOSA safety awards for occupational risk
management procedures at the nitrogen trifluoride plant in Pelindaba. In the US, BOC Edwards’ special gases plant
at Medford, Oregon, was awarded the OSHA Voluntary Protection Programs’‘Star Program’ status for selfsufficiency
in their ability to control workplace hazards. EMC, BOC’s US-based water management business, won
several Water Environment Association awards. EMC’s water treatment plant at Ligonier, Indiana, won the
prestigious Water Environment Federation’s Burke Award.
Regrettably, three Group employees died in work related activities in 2005.Two employees tragically died in
road incidents, one in the UK and one in the US, both of which involved third parties.These incidents reinforce our
commitment to remain focused on transport safety during 2006.Another employee was killed in Taiwan, by falling
from a height at a customer location. In addition, BOC experienced six contractor fatalities during the period.
The Group chief executive, SHEQ director and business unit managers review every fatality and major
incident personally. Investigations are only closed when the chief executive is fully satisfied that the root causes of
the incident are understood and action has been taken to prevent future recurrences.