Business Issue: Improved EHS Performance
New databases improve EHS management

EHS data for regular reporting
The accurate and consistent measurement and evaluation of EHS performance is one of the key processes on the way to EHS excellence. In response, Rolled Products Europe created a centrally managed EHS Database in 2002 to replace a number of unsynchronized data gathering tools.

On-line entries can be made by each plant in critical areas such as main and ancillary material flows, energy consumption, air and water emissions, waste, as well as environment, health and safety events.

Powerful evaluation and reporting tools generate EHS indicators, tracking both the plant and the product-related EHS performance. Customized performance evaluations satisfy a broad variety of needs including internal EHS management reports, stakeholder-oriented reports and process-related benchmarking or product-related life cycle analysis.

Complete functionality of the EHS Database is planned for 2003.

Standardized platform for incident reporting
Rolled Products Europe recognizes the need to provide a uniform method for systematically reporting accidents and environmental incidents. A "workflow" database that runs on our company-wide messaging platform was developed and launched at the beginning of 2002.

In order to meet the requirements of our various sites, internal EHS specialists agreed on common terminology and the layout of the report form. In addition to automated notification, information related to lost time accidents and other high risk incidents can be shared among line management and specialists by just taking a look at the database. Using common keywords, the database can be accessed for evaluation of high risk potentials on a day-to-day basis.

At the end of 2002, the Health and Safety section of the database contained the total lost time accidents for Rolled Products Europe. Evaluation of cases by injury revealed that finger/hand/arm injuries and bruises/fractures are the most frequent injury. The group's response was to immediately implement a "Don't touch!" program in all Rolled Products Europe plants.

After a full year of successful reporting in RPE, the database application has now been modified for use in our Engineered Products business group.