Chemical industry’s Responsible Care programme pays off

The Finnish chemical industry enjoyed continued improvements in safety and greater material and energy efficiency in 2012. Lost time injuries frequency rate has fallen by more than 80 percent since 1988, while energy efficiency has improved by a quarter and water consumption by half since 1995. New kinds of voluntary networks to support companies are being set up in 2013 and will aim to boost the development of work safety and energy efficiency.

The Chemical Industry Federation’s Responsible Care programme has operated in Finland for 20 years. The programme covers all fields related to the sustainable development of companies. The key areas of focus are the sustainable use of natural resources, the sustainability and safety of production and products, the wellbeing of the employees, and open dialogue and cooperation.

 Key results of the Responsible Care programme in 2012

– Investments worth EUR 109 million on environment, health and safety (EHS)

– Operating costs of EUR 115 million on environment, health and safety (EHS)  

– The number of participants in environment, health and safety (EHS) training grew by 26% from 2011

– Lost time injuries frequency ratedropped by 6% and there were 8.2 accidents per million hours worked (LTI3, 2011: 8.7 per million hours)

– Lost time injuries frequency ratehas fallen81% since the monitoring period began in 1988

– Consumption of energy proportional to the volume of production has fallen by 24% since 1995

– Consumption of water proportional to the volume of production has fallen by 58% since 1995

– Waste to be disposed of by landfilling proportional to the volume of production has been decreased by 42% since 1999

– Emissions of greenhouse gases proportional to the volume of production has dropped by 27% since 1999

 

Launching new voluntary networks

“Building a sustainable future is one of the features that make the chemical industry so competitive. Ambitious targets have been set for energy efficiency and work safety. To achieve these targets, we’re now looking for greater strength through the operations of voluntary networks,” says Director General of the Chemical Industry Federation of Finland, Timo Leppä.

“We’re also continuing to work on the development of wellbeing at work by collaborating with industrial unions and trade unions on the Good Morning – Good Tomorrow project.”

The Responsible Care programme has long been a platform for unique cooperation with unions. The Chemical Industry Federation of Finland is coordinating the execution of the programme. Industrial Union TEAM, Trade Union Pro and the Federation of Professional and Managerial Staff (YTN) are involved in monitoring and developing the programme.

Lisätietoja

Director General Timo Leppä, Chemical Industry Federation of Finland, tel. + 3 58 50 301 6800

Senior Advisor Merja Vuori, Chemical Industry Federation of Finland, tel. + 358 40 730 1932

Assistant Director Sami Nikander, Chemical Industry Federation of Finland, tel. + 358 40 567 4413

The Responsible Care programme http://www.chemind.fi/en/the-chemical-industry/responsible-care-20-years-2/

Responsible Care results (in Finnish only) http://www.chemind.fi/fi/ala-numeroin/