Bethlehem's Environmental Policy Objectives
In maintaining and improving our environmental policies, we will:
Develop and implement effective air and water pollution control plans and programs.
Minimize the generation of wastes, recycle in-plant wastes and dispose of any remaining wastes in an environmentally responsible manner.
Manufacture products that have minimal impact on the environment that are safe in their intended use and that can be recycled, reused or disposed of safely.
Minimize safety, health and environmental risks to our employees and plant communities by using safe technologies and operating practices, and by being prepared for emergencies.
Minimize our use of ozone-depleting and hazardous chemicals.
Continue to employ qualified personnel to develop, implement and monitor our environmental quality control programs.
Evaluate, on a continuing basis, the status of each business unit's compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations, and maintain business unit-specific environmental plans to address potential noncompliance situations.
Evaluate properties being considered for divestiture or acquisition in terms of existing environmental conditions, potential risks and liabilities, and possible impacts on other environmental obligations.
Communicate company environmental information to employees, customers, suppliers, community representatives and the public.
Continue to work with all levels of government to develop and implement comprehensive environmental quality control programs, including fair, consistent and scientifically sound laws, rules and regulations, and, as appropriate, challenge unscientific laws, standards and regulations.
Conduct and fund research and development activities that seek to provide pollution-prevention and waste minimization facilities or techniques suited to steel industry processes.
Support the research and educational objectives of the steel industry and other organizations concerned with improving environmental quality.
Environmental Policy and Compliance Procedures (See Charts)
We will comply with all environmental laws and regulations applicable to the conduct of our business. As a good corporate citizen, we are dedicated to the continuous improvement of the environment in which we all live.
To promote uniform understanding and consistent implementation of our policy by the business divisions and corporate departments, we have developed various internal guidance documents. This guidance defines “compliance” as ensuring that:
- All environmental measures are within applicable limits.
- All required permits have been obtained.
- All permit conditions and government orders are complied with.
- All reports to government agencies are accurate and timely.
- No continuing condition of noncompliance is acceptable.
- Corrective action has been taken expeditiously with an
expected result of continuous compliance.
Corrective measures must result in continuous compliance. If significant harm to human health or the environment may occur, it may be necessary to curtail operations if corrective measures are inadequate. We will not wait for an enforcement agency to determine that we must implement corrective measures. Business divisions submit monthly compliance reports, which identify problem areas and corrective measures, to the appropriate corporate executive.
Safety, Health and Environment Plan
In March 1994, we reaffirmed our commitment to safety and health performance and to environmental compliance by issuing a comprehensive Safety, Health and Environment Plan. The plan outlined a series of internal and external actions that include:
Formation of an executive-level Council on Safety, Health and Environment, chaired by Jack Jordan, senior vice president and chief administrative officer. The council is composed of eight other corporate officers, including the presidents of Bethlehem Steel’s major business divisions.
Creation of a new Safety, Health and Environment Department under the direction of a new corporate officer who is also a member of the Corporate Management Committee and secretary of the council.
A commitment to Total Quality Environmental Management Systems at all business divisions.
Expansion of our corporate environmental auditing program.
Commitment to provide adequate personnel and resources to address existing and emerging needs.
Initiation of a comprehensive environmental awareness training program to educate and
involve all employees in continuously improving our environmental performance.
Establishment of clearly defined accountabilities and responsibility for safety and health performance and environmental compliance.
A commitment to frequent, open and positive discussions with key external stakeholders — the government, public, customers, suppliers, stockholders and the financial community.
Some of these actions have been completed while others require longer implementation periods and are still in progress. The Safety, Health and Environment Council meets on a regular basis to discuss current and future safety, health and environmental issues at the business divisions and to provide guidance and oversight in the context of Bethlehem’s corporate environmental policy and objectives.
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
