Safety is a core value at Oxy. Oxy consistently ranks among the safest companies in the U.S. For 13 consecutive years, the employee Injury and Illness Incidence Rate (IIR) has been less than 1.0. In 2008, Oxy’s employee IIR of 0.45 was a 10-percent improvement over the prior year’s performance, and our second-best IIR ever. According to the most recently published data (for 2007) from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Oxy’s safety performance is approximately nine times better than the U.S. industry average.
Oxy also is one of the top safety performers in the oil and gas and chemical industries. The most recent data available from the American Petroleum Institute (API) indicate that the average IIR for all U.S. exploration and production company employees is 0.62, while the average for ACC midsize companies is 1.28.
Our focus on minimizing the risk of worker injury also has reduced the number of severe injuries. In 2008, Oxy’s worldwide Lost Time Case Rate, which represents the annual number of cases per 100 workers that resulted in an employee being unable to return to work or perform normal duties the day after an occupational injury or illness, was just 0.20 — less than one-tenth the rate for U.S. industry overall, based on the most recent BLS data.
Oxy’s business segments rely on service contractors for specialized or short-term work. HES performance is an important factor in the selection of contractors. We monitor our contractors’ performance during the contract period, requiring notification of all injuries, along with plans to prevent recurrence.
Contractors working full-time for Oxy perform better than those doing similar work for most other companies. Oxy’s 2008 consolidated worldwide full-time contractor IIR was 0.84 — an all-time best that reflects a 20-percent improvement over the previous year. This strong performance reflects the unified commitment of Oxy and contractor management and employees to an injury-free workplace. Based on 2007 BLS data, Oxy’s 2008 contractor results were more than five times better than the average for the U.S. construction industry.
Oxy’s superior performance is driven by a safety culture and an HESMS that are integrated throughout our operations and embraced by our work force, including both employees and contractors. Safety is good business and everyone’s responsibility.
Oxy regards good health as both a personal and a company priority. We provide many resources to assist employees and their families in maintaining healthy lifestyles.
Oxy offers health improvement and wellness programs and resources to employees and their spouses through its OxyWellness program. Utilizing on-site health screenings, personalized health coaching, online resources and broad-based health improvement initiatives, the program is designed to empower individuals to take charge of their own health.
In addition, the Employee Assistance Program makes available confidential counseling services to employees and their dependents free of charge to help with personal or work-related problems. The services include assessment, treatment, referral and follow-up, as well as crisis intervention.
Star Status
Eighteen operating OxyChem facilities, including the OxyChem headquarters in Dallas, have achieved Star status under the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Program as being among the safest work sites in the U.S. The Star designation is the highest recognition for excellence in safety and health given by OSHA. Nationwide, fewer than 2,500 of approximately 8 million work sites have attained OSHA Star status.
OxyChem has succeeded in achieving Star status at 32 facilities, including 18 currently operated by OxyChem. In addition, contractors at OxyChem sites have received awards under OSHA’s Contractor Star program.
To be eligible for the OSHA Star or a state equivalent, a work site must have comprehensive and successful safety and health programs. Additionally, the site must have both total reportable and lost work day injury rates below the industry’s national average. OSHA criteria for Star status strongly encourage the use of employee committees to ensure that the facility meets or exceeds all regulatory requirements. Oxy’s experience demonstrates that employee involvement sustains high levels of safety performance, which is the primary goal of pursuing the OSHA Star designation.
For a full list of OxyChem OSHA VPP sites, please visit: OxyChem Manufacturing Sites.