17 Nov 2005
Safety pays back: Borealis’ step change in safety wins the prestigious DuPont Safety Award
Today the prestigious DuPont Safety Awards for individual and collective initiatives in Europe, the Middle East and Africa recognised Borealis as the winner in the Business Impact category at the 2005 DuPont Leaders Forum in Geneva.
The DuPont Safety Award recognises significant projects in workplace safety or society at large that have been led by individuals, companies or organisations. This year’s expert selection jury awarded five top prizes in the areas of innovative approach, performance improvement, felt leadership, business impact and cultural evolution.
“The common thread among the winners is that they understand the strong link between business performance and creating a safer workplace,” said Mathieu Vrijsen, President, DuPont Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Each of these companies has shown exceptional dedication and innovation in reducing injuries and creating a safety culture.”
The DuPont Safety Award recognises Borealis’ successful business transformation since 2001 which included making a step change in safety across the Group, including contractors, and thereby improving its overall operational excellence. As a result, Borealis moved to a leading position in safety as demonstrated by its continuous reduction of its Total Recordable Injuries (TRI). Borealis’ four production hubs (Scandinavia, Belgium, Central Europe and Finland) and its compounding units in Brazil, Italy and the USA have significantly decreased their TRI frequency from 16.3 in 1996 to 6.9 in 2001 down to 1.9 as of end October 2005. Importantly, Borealis’ success in terms of operational excellence has continued to have a strong impact on business success, with the company looking to obtain an 11% return on capital employed (after tax) in 2005 and showing continuous profit despite a challenging economic climate.
“I am very proud to receive this award on behalf of all employees in Borealis and our contractors. Personally, I have always said that I don’t want anyone to get hurt while working in Borealis. The mindset of safety, quality and housekeeping all go together and set a high performance standard. This achievement has involved everyone in Borealis. Our success in safety has been a fundamental part of the company’s transformation over the past four years,” said John Taylor Borealis Chief Executive.
"Borealis has shown real leadership in successfully implementing a fully integrated culture of safety within their organisation including their contractors. We are confident that their workplace safety excellence will be a catalyst for greater commitment from other organisations," says Juan Aguiriano, President, DuPont Safety Resources Europe, Middle East and Africa.
The DuPont Safety Awards ceremony was a highlight of the DuPont Leaders Forum annual event. The Leaders Forum is part of an on-going programme to expand thinking and foster strong actions in safety at work and at home. The World Safety Declaration, first unveiled in September at the 17th World Congress of Safety and Health at Work, was signed on November 17th with Borealis as one of the charter’s founding members thus demonstrating global, long-term commitment to be a leading responsible player in the industry.
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Notes for editors
DuPont
DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.
DuPont is the authority on safe workplaces, with a proven track record in consulting and training in workplace safety and operational excellence. Leveraging the Company’s 200 year history of safety knowledge and experience, DuPont helps leading-edge companies gain sustainable improvement in insurance and operating costs, security, productivity, product quality, public image and employee morale.
Borealis
Borealis is a leading provider of innovative, value creating plastics solutions based on polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). Its technology shapes daily life products and forms the basis of next generation innovation and creative development in plastics.
Borealis is a registered trademark of Borealis A/S, Denmark.
Learn more about Borealis at www.borealisgroup.com.