The National Safety Council announced that Montreal-based Alcan Inc., one of the world’s leading aluminum and packaging companies, and DynMcDermott, a private New Orleans-based firm that manages the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve, are the 2006 recipients of its prestigious Robert W. Campbell Award. Richard Evans, CEO of Alcan Inc., and Robert McGough, CEO of DynMcDermott, accepted the award during the recent National Safety Council’s 94th Annual Congress and Expo in
This international award for business excellence recognizes companies that successfully integrated health, safety and environmental management into their overall business operations. The award, co-founded by the National Safety Council and Exxon Mobil Corporation, is supported by a network of 20 global partner organizations.
This is the first year in which the Robert W. Campbell Award has been awarded to two companies. An international panel of independent reviewers examined each application in a rigorous assessment process.
“In many ways, our 2006 recipients appear to be very different yet they are the same in their commitment to making safety, health and environmental management a priority at every level of their operations,” said Mei-Li Lin, executive director of research and statistical services for the National Safety Council. “We are thrilled to see the power of SH & E reach beyond our borders and transcend company size to benefit employees, communities and sustainable corporate performance.”
Alcan Inc. is a leading global materials company, delivering high-quality products and services worldwide. Alcan incorporates world-class technology and operations in bauxite mining, alumina processing, primary metal smelting, power generation, aluminum fabrication, engineered solutions as well as flexible and specialty packaging. It is represented by 65,000 employees in 61 countries and regions, and in 2005 posted revenues of $20.3 billion. One aspect of the company’s business model that caught the attention of the Campbell Award committee was its EHS FIRST environment, health and management system.
Evans stated its environmental, health and safety vision, “to be a recognized leader of safety, health and environment excellence in everything we do and everywhere we operate.” Alcan’s innovative EHS FIRST system has delivered about $43 million in savings while fostering a mind-set and culture of EHS believers and champions throughout the company worldwide.
In contrast, with fewer than 600 employees, DynMcDermott Petroleum Operations Co. is the management and operating contractor for the Department of Energy Strategic Petroleum Reserve and is responsible for operating and maintaining government-owned facilities. Suzanne Broussard, safety and health manager at DynMcDermott, credits upper management and its comprehension of safety’s importance for their success. “Management understands exactly what the safety programs are and how they work. Our philosophy is to put health and safety first in the budget because our employees have a right to a safe workplace.” The company is a 2005 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient.
National Safety Council president and CEO Alan C. McMillan applauded Alcan and DynMcDermott for being brave, bold and brilliant in their leadership and commitment to making safety and health a part of its corporate culture. “Our changing world is presenting new safety and health issues and challenges in every industry. It takes bold, innovative leaders like Alcan and DynMcDermott to demonstrate that business excellence begins with a steadfast commitment to safety, health and environment.”
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Alcan and DynMcDermott – along with previous Campbell Award recipients – have agreed to share their experiences with other companies so that SH & E can advance as a key corporate value around the world. In addition, these winning management systems will be incorporated into case studies that will be used at top business and engineering schools worldwide.