Managing Directors Business Review

Operational Health, Safety and Environment

Efforts to achieve continuous improvement in safety, health and environmental protection had a mixed outcome. Progress was made in more efficient use of resources and, as a consequence, emissions were reduced. Some deterioration in safety performance was, however, particularly disappointing, with an increase in lost time injuries causing a setback to gains made in safety performance in recent years. There is confidence that system improvements, together with increased management focus, will build on gains in environmental results and recover momentum in safety statistics.

Technology and processing improvements developed over the last two years continue to be introduced to plants throughout the USA, Asia and Europe to good effect. Improved efficiencies not only deliver lower conversion costs, but also contribute to environmental improvement by reducing energy usage and emission rates.