Performance
In 2005, Dow Corning launched the following five-year environment, health
and safety performance improvement goals:
-
Employee and process safety: Aggressive reduction in injuries, occupational
illnesses and process incidents
-
Environmental compatibility: Reduce the environmental impact of our
processes, products and technology
-
Value recovery: Drive toward zero waste and emissions through reduction,
conversion, recycle, re-use and recovery
-
Energy efficiency: Reduce average greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy and sequestration
efforts
Dow Corning has consistently improved upon each of our performance measures
as, demonstrated in the following information. We also recognize there is
more work to be done to accomplish these goals. Dow Corning is committed
to succeeding in these areas through innovation, hard work and the dedication
of our employees around the world.
Employee Health and Safety
At Dow Corning, our corporate Safety value is based on our commitment to an
injury-free work environment. Our focus is on preventing situations that cause
injury or illness. In 2007 we significantly increased attention on the
issue of personal safety.
We have put into practice a new safety vision: Safe Work is Our Job™, which
focuses on five key elements that define good safety practices. Emphasis
on these key elements, combined with employee and leadership engagement, are
crucial to our safety success.
Employee Health & Safety:
(Occupational injury and illness rates and
lost time illness/injury rates)
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
2007
|
|
OIIR*
|
2.55
|
1.70
|
1.99
|
1.75
|
1.29
|
|
LTIR**
|
0.28
|
0.15
|
0.16
|
0.26
|
0.16
|
*OIIR (Occupational Injury and Illness
Rate) is a measurement that represents all injuries and illnesses, per 100
employees, that occur on the job and require more than first-aid
treatment.
**LTIR (Lost Time Injury and Illness Rate) is a measurement that represents the
number of people for a population of 100 that missed work for one or more days
during a particular year due to a work-related injury or illness.
Process Safety
Our corporate values are based on our commitment to provide a safe
environment for our neighbors and the communities in which we work and
live. Dow Corning is committed to improving the safety of our chemical
processes.
We have placed substantial importance on incident reduction over the last
several years, with a focus on identifying and eliminating unsafe practices and
procedures. This increased emphasis, plus the implementation of our
internal safety improvement plans, is making a real difference in our
performance measures.
Process Safety:
(Property incident
rates)
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
2007
|
|
PIR*
|
2.80
|
2.68
|
2.95
|
1.82
|
1.70
|
*PIR (Property Incident Rate) is a
measurement that represents recordable property incidents (such as spills,
releases, fires and explosions), per 100 employees.
U.S.Toxic Release Inventory (kg)
In 2006, Dow Corning did not dispose of toxic release inventory materials
into landfills. Dow Corning has reduced emissions to the air by 12% and
emissions to the water by 90%, when compared to the 1997 baseline. The
decline from previous years’ values was due to reduced production for one of
our product lines and focused efforts to reduce incidents. All emission
levels remain within the limits allowed by our operating permits.
|
1997
|
1998
|
1999
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
Reduction 2006 vs 1997
|
|
Air
|
223,900
|
197,850
|
167,050
|
127,700
|
103,500
|
110,493
|
115,112
|
168,974
|
210,613
|
174,152
|
12%
|
|
Water
|
910
|
1,010
|
370
|
655
|
625
|
73
|
198
|
468
|
330
|
103
|
90%
|
|
Land
|
7,740
|
6,220
|
4,950
|
2,060
|
2,920
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
100%
|
|
Total
|
232,550
|
205,080
|
172,370
|
130,415
|
107,045
|
110,556
|
115,310
|
169,442
|
210,943
|
174,255
|
25%
|
Toxic release inventory data reports
previous years’ activities. Data for 2007 will be available in
2008.
Energy Efficiency
Dow Corning has set challenging five year energy and greenhouse gas (GHG)
intensity goals. We aim to reduce the amount of GHG emissions per
kilogram of material we produce in our silicone, silicon, and semiconductor
businesses by 20% by the end of 2009 (from an average baseline between 1998 and
2001). As a result of the hard work and commitment of our workforce, we
remain on track to meet these goals.
“We recognize that people around world have set higher expectations for
corporations in the area of climate change and GHG emissions. In light of
this heightened attention, we are reviewing and updating our policies and
strategies to take us well beyond our 2009 programs and targets.
“Dow Corning processes and products are an important part of the solution to
reducing global emissions.”
- Peter Cartwright, executive director, environment, health &
safety
Financials
Dow Corning reported outstanding results, with record sales and profits in
2007. “The year was highlighted by Dow Corning’s continued expansion into
new geographies including the opening of our newest office in Vietnam,” said
Don Sheets, vice president and chief financial officer. “We also
announced a $1 billion project to increase capacity at our joint venture
Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation.
“In 2008, we will celebrate our 65th year in business. Though we have many
challenges in front of us, such as unprecedented increases in raw materials and
energy costs, we’re confident our team’s commitment to innovation and meeting
customer needs will help us sustain our success.”
|
Year ended December 31
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
2007
|
|
Net Sales
|
2,872
|
3,372
|
3,878
|
4,392
|
4,940
|
|
Net Income
|
176
|
238
|
506
|
668
|
690
|