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Throughout 2004, we continued to work toward the 2005 environmental, health and safety (EH&S) goals defined by Dow in 1995. At the time of publishing this report, we did not have year-end 2004 data for all of these goals. As new results become available, they will be reflected in the Environmental Stewardship pages on Dow's Our Commitments website.
- During the year, we took significant steps forward in several areas, most notably in relation to employee safety, improving our injury and illness rate by 17 percent in 2004 compared with 2003. To put this in perspective, the progress we have made on our safety-related goals over the past decade has prevented more than 11,000 injuries to Dow employees and contractors. While good, this achievement was sadly overshadowed last year by the loss of two co-workers, in separate incidents, on Dow sites. We will continue to do all we can to drive practices, procedures and behaviors that prevent such tragedies so that all of our employees and contractors return safely to their homes at the end of each workday.
- We further reduced energy intensity, that is, the amount of energy used by our operations around the world per pound of production. Compared with 2003, energy intensity in 2004 was down 5 percent. Since we started reporting this metric in 1994, the amount of energy used per pound of production has been reduced by 21 percent. Cumulatively through that period, we saved approximately $3 billion in energy costs and significantly reduced the impact of our operations on the environment.
- During 2004, we maintained our active involvement with key trade organizations around the world and continued to play a lead role in driving the chemical industry to new levels of environmental and social performance. For example, working through the International Council of Chemical Associations, we initiated a project that will raise the bar for chemical product stewardship as part of the industry’s Responsible Care® program. By extending and enhancing the industry’s existing product stewardship frameworks, our aim is to ensure that, on a global scale, chemical products are managed and used appropriately along the entire supply chain and at every stage in their life cycle.
When we defined our 2005 EH&S goals in 1995, we set ambitious targets that few people – either inside or outside the Company – thought could be achieved. Yet it now appears that many of those goals will be met – and several exceeded – demonstrating the dedication, resolve and commitment of Dow and its employees.
+ Year-end 2004 data not available at time of publication. Please visit the Environmental Stewardship pages on Dow’s Our Commitments website for the most recent performance data.
Note: Our historic production data takes into account any divestitures, mergers and acquisitions and may change from one year to the next in order to reflect such activities. Our energy use, waste and waste water data will also be affected.
Responsible Care® is a registered service mark of the American Chemistry Council.
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