Environment, health and safety policy
Smiths Group ('the Company') is committed to achieving excellence in environment, health and safety (EHS) performance and demonstrating leadership to create an injury-free and environmentally responsible workplace.
The Chief Executive has overall responsibility for EHS matters in the Group and the Group Human Resources Director is responsible for its effective administration and implementation. Strategic direction and performance monitoring is undertaken by the EHS Steering Committee and the EHS Technical Committee which have representation from all Smiths divisions.
Themost senior manager in each division has overall responsibility for EHS matters within their business and for implementing organisational arrangements to ensure compliance with this policy.
Smiths employees, at all levels, have a personal responsibility to take due care and follow EHS rules. They also have a responsibility to warn others of potential hazards and unsafe behaviours. Fulfilling these responsibilities is an employment obligation.
The Company conducts its business in accordance with the following key EHS principles which are supported by effective management systems:
- Commitment to meeting or exceeding all relevant legal and other requirements to which the Company is subject and monitoring compliance through periodic assessment.
- Continual improvement in EHS performance, including prevention of pollution, hazard reduction and the protection of human health.
- Robust training systems to ensure that all persons working for or on behalf of the company are competent to fulfil their EHS responsibilities.
- Clearly defined objectives and targets which are periodically reviewed.
- Regular assessment of the EHS impacts and interactions of all new and existing business activities, products and services.
- Promotion of the efficient use of energy and natural resources to minimise environmental impact.
- Promotion of the health andwellness of our employees.
- Consideration of EHS issues during acquisitions and divestitures.
- Selectionof competent contractors who commit to comply with Smiths high EHS standards.
- Communication with all persons working for or on behalf of the Company and other stakeholders regarding the EHS impacts and objectives of its operations.
Philip Bowman
Chief Executive
September 2009