The policies and goals of our safety, health and environmental program have been closely aligned with the Corporate Vision to Be the Premier Steel Company since we intensified our efforts in 1994 to achieve and maintain both compliance and excellence in those areas. These policies and goals also support our four Corporate objectives: increase stockholder value, serve our customers, partner among employees and be a good citizen.

We have done many things in our safety, health and environmental program that significantly contribute to the attainment of those objectives. In addition to assuring compliance and improving our performance, we have embarked upon numerous leadership initiatives over the past four years that signify our commitment to safety, health and environmental stewardship through partnerships. We have established partnerships with our employees, the communities in which we operate, our customers/suppliers, non-government organizations, environmental consultants, government organizations and research institutions. Since partnerships are an integral part of our success, a major part of this report is devoted to these relationships.

I am proud to report that Bethlehem’s safety and health performance in 1997 was the best ever. Rates for the three standard statistical measurement categories continued their downward trend that began in 1994. Since then, the lost workday case incidence rate declined by 43 percent, the total recordable case incidence rate declined by 39 percent, and the all-injury case incidence rate declined by 34 percent. This improvement has continued into 1998, with results for the first six months showing decreases in all categories compared to 1997.

We believe the significant progress made in safety and health are due in large part to Bethlehem’s Employee Safety Process (ESP). This joint initiative with the United Steelworkers of America promotes a value-based “actively caring” philosophy and produces an atmosphere in which all employees participate in creating the best possible safety environment, both on and off the job.

Our environmental performance has also improved significantly since 1994 as measured by the Corporate Environmental Compliance Index (ECI). The index is the monthly sum of all environmental exceedances/ incidents reported to or cited by regulatory agencies for air and water discharges, spills and notices of violation. In 1997, Bethlehem reduced its ECI by 47 percent compared to 1994. This improvement has continued into 1998, with results for the first six months showing a decrease of 68 percent compared to 1997 and 83 percent compared to 1994.

In May 1998, we completed our merger with Lukens Inc., and formed a new division called Bethlehem Lukens Plate. We are creating an appropriate structure and processes for Bethlehem Lukens Plate, including a strong focus on safety, health and environmental programs.

We are pleased with the exceptional progress Bethlehem Steel has made in the past four years to improve its safety, health and environmental performance. We recognize that further improvement is necessary as we move toward our ultimate goals of zero injuries and environmental incidents. To achieve our Vision to Be the Premier Steel Company requires a continued commitment to excellence in safety and environmental performance.   

Curtis H. Barnette 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Safety, Health and Environment Department
1170 Eighth Avenue, Martin Tower; 12th Floor, Bethlehem, PA 18016-7699
For further information about this report, send mail to [email protected]

1997/98 Environmental Report Table of Contents