2007 DuPont Leaders Forum Award Winners

Five companies recognized for their initiatives to enhance safety

DuPont announced the recipients of the DuPont Safety Awards at the 2007 DuPont Leaders Forum on October 18th in Geneva, Switzerland.  The five winners were recognized for their initiatives to enhance safety for critical stakeholders. The awards were presented by James R. Weigand, vice president and general manager - DuPont Safety Resources.

“The winning projects show the fine balance between managing safety in a traditional fashion and the need to be conscious of issues out in the field, particularly in developing economies and emerging markets in our region,” said Ian Hudson, president - DuPont Europe, Middle East & Africa.  “This year’s Leaders Forum highlights the critical importance of safety and sustainability in key growth areas, such as Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.”

The five winners and their initiatives are detailed below.

• Addax Petroleum One of the largest independent oil producers in West Africa, was recognized for its ground-breaking ‘AP HSSE Management Process’.  Addax Petroleum has a high quality asset base consisting of production properties in Nigeria and Gabon, exploration and development properties, and potentially high impact exploration and appraisal opportunities in West Africa and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.  “Our new integrated strategy included the implementation of DuPont™ STOP™, personnel engagement and the development of management leadership and support, which have combined to help us achieve significant safety improvement,” said Jim Pearce, chief operating officer – Addax Petroleum.
• E.ON BeneluxThe electricity generating company, won for its innovative ‘Going for Safety Excellence’ project, which served the ambition for the company to be among the best energy companies in the world, especially in the field of safety, health and environment.  In 2002 the management team decided to ensure that safety was promoted to its number one priority based on this ambition. Working with DuPont, the company raised employee and management involvement, implemented safety awareness training and drove contractor safety. 
• ENDESAThe Spanish electric utility, was recognized for APOLLO, a radical occupational health and safety project, named after the Greek god who protected mankind from plagues and diseases.  “We devised an action plan, containing seven initiatives, including a safety and health core value, an OH&S information management system and the APOLLO Awards,” said Pedro Negro, occupational health and safety policy director – ENDESA.  The company is at a record low level of lost time cases and scored 100% in the OH&S chapter of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. 
• ScottishPowerPioneered a safety education program to teach more than 129,000 school children across Scotland, England and Wales of the potential dangers of electricity.  A team of professional teachers, assisted by Sparky the puppet, visited primary schools and explained the dangers of electricity both in and out of the home.  An interactive website, at www.powerwise.org.uk supports the program and provides additional information for parents, guardians and teachers.  Andrew Sharman, health and safety development manager, ScottishPower, is a strong believer in the benefits of safety education: “Informing and educating the next generation in a fun and familiar learning environment really helps to drive home our safety message into communities and schools.”
• Sonae SierraThe international shopping center specialist, involved more than 70,000 stakeholders, including staff, contractors, tenants, suppliers, visitors and the surrounding community, in its PERSONÆ safety project.  The program focuses on visible leadership commitment and responsible behavior to achieve zero accidents. “We are very pleased with this recognition of our success through felt leadership and focusing on each individual’s behavior, rather than relying solely on a team of safety professionals,” said Álvaro Portela, CEO of Sonae Sierra.  “This encourages a proactive response from our team and helps build a sustainable safety excellence culture.”