Last year, 1996, marked the 50th anniversary of Bethlehem Steel’s formal program of environmental health and environmental control. In 1946, Bethlehem hired Dr. Allen D. Brandt, former chief industrial hygiene engineer of the U.S. Public Health Service, to develop and implement a corporate-wide program of in-plant environmental quality control. We thus became the first steel company and one of the first industrial companies in the United States to establish such a program. To commemorate the first 50 years of our program, the 1996 Environmental Progress Report is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Brandt who became a recognized national authority in the fields of industrial hygiene and environmental control.
In September 1995, Bethlehem also set a precedent by becoming the first company in the iron and steel industry to endorse the 10 environmental principles established by the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES). Our endorsement of the CERES Principles demonstrates to our communities and to the public that we are committed to continuous improvement of our environmental performance and to being the resident business of choice.
Like our first environmental progress report last year, this report shares our progress through 1996 and recognizes some of the many employees who contribute to our continuing improvement. The report also focuses on several of the environmental technologies developed and implemented by our employees, which have enabled our operations to meet or exceed regulatory requirements.
Last year, Bethlehem Steel, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Maryland Department of the Environment reached agreement on a comprehensive plan to address and resolve environmental issues at our Sparrows Point Division in Maryland. This landmark multi-media agreement for air, water and land is consistent with the company's policy to comply with applicable laws and regulations, to continuously improve environmental performance and to be a good citizen.
Our safety and health performance in 1996 showed a marked improvement over previous years. Fewer injuries were recorded throughout the corporation, which resulted in record lows for injury and illness incidence rates of all-injuries, total recordable injuries and lost workday cases. Much of this success can be attributed to our ongoing implementation of a new Employee Safety Process which builds a safer workplace through the principles of actively caring and participation by all employees.
Bethlehem Steel continues to face challenges as we focus on improving our financial strength while meeting current and future safety, health and environmental obligations. As we continue to train and educate our employees with respect to their roles and responsibilities, we are confident that, with their cooperation, we will realize our corporate vision of being the premier steel company.
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, send mail to [email protected]
1996 Environmental Report Table of Contents
