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Sustainability Goals and Indicators
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Governance Structure and Management Systems: Management System ComponentsBristol-Myers Squibb’s EHS management systems continue to evolve in response to new scientific, technical, and public policy information and through an ongoing dialogue with stakeholders. Our systems and programs consist of many elements that, taken together, support the company’s goal of leadership in corporate sustainability.The key components are described below.
Bristol-Myers Squibb PledgeThe Bristol-Myers Squibb Pledge is a fundamental element of our corporate culture. It sets forth our concern for the interests and expectations of our stakeholders – our employees, shareholders, customers, suppliers, the communities and countries where we do business, and the world in which we live. Among other things, our pledge is a formal commitment to conscientious citizenship. It supports environmental progress, a safe work environment, and policies and practices that fully embody the responsibility, integrity, and decency required of free enterprise. Capital Appropriation RequestAll Capital Appropriation Requests (CARs) for new processes, products, and facilities that may affect the environment or employee health and safety must be reviewed by the facility EHS coordinator. The CAR must address the following, where applicable:
CARs for projects involving new products or packaging must include an evaluation of total Product Life Cycle impacts on the environment. Contract Manufacturers and Suppliers GuidelinesUnder guidelines relating to contract manufacturers and suppliers, divisions conduct EHS evaluations of the facilities and operating practices of contract manufacturers and selected suppliers. The guidelines address topics such as: chemical storage and handling practices; waste storage, handling, and disposal practices and sites; permits; emergency preparedness and response; employee exposure; regulatory compliance history; and financial position. Corporate Evaluation ProcessA comprehensive, rigorous EHS evaluation process is key to ensuring that we maintain and continuously improve a compliant, safe, and healthy workplace. EHS evaluations are designed to verify consistency of business operations with internal and external technical EHS and transportation requirements and to assess the adequacy of management systems in place at the company’s operations to support on-going compliance. Corporate, business unit, and facility management use the results of the evaluations to maintain and continuously improve EHS performance companywide. The EHS evaluation process includes:
All manufacturing and research and development facilities, plus key distribution and office locations, are evaluated. The frequency, which typically ranges from 18 to 60 months, depends on EHS and business risk factors, and on the maturity of the facility EHS management systems. During 2006, EHS evaluations were conducted at 28 facilities. Action plans are being actively monitored. The EHS evaluation function, within the Corporate Quality, Environment, Health, and Safety Department, has the responsibility to plan and conduct the evaluations, train and select team evaluators, report evaluation results to management, and monitor action plans through closure. Customer CommunicationsBristol-Myers Squibb provides consumers, commercial customers, and distributors with information regarding the safe use, transportation, storage, and disposal of our products. The vast majority of our products relate to health care, the labeling of which is strictly regulated by various governments to ensure safe use. We follow the highest standards of labeling and product safety information for our health care and consumer products. The company also has systems for tracking consumer comments and adverse reactions to our products. Bristol-Myers Squibb then uses this information to modify product formulations, labeling, and material safety data sheets, as appropriate. EHS GuidanceThe EHS Guidance contains detailed information for Bristol-Myers Squibb's divisions, facilities, and functional business areas. Emergency Preparedness GuidelineAll facilities must have comprehensive emergency preparedness programs in place that include: risk and hazard identification and assessment; emergency response, reporting, and cleanup plans; and employee training. Facilities develop plans in cooperation with local emergency response agencies, such as police, fire, and public health departments. Emergency preparedness drills are conducted at least annually and involve local emergency response entities whenever practicable. In the United States, the Clean Air Act required the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish regulations focusing on the prevention of chemical accidents. In June 1996, EPA published the final rule for Risk Management Programs. An estimated 66,000 facilities are subject to this regulation based on the quantity of regulated substances they have on-site. These facilities will be required to implement a Risk Management Program and submit a summary of the program (the risk management plan or RMP) to a central location specified by EPA. The RMP data will assist state and local government entities responsible for chemical emergency preparedness and prevention. It will also be useful to environmental and community organizations and the public in understanding the chemical risks in their communities. In addition, EPA hopes the availability of this information will stimulate a dialogue between industry and the public to improve accident prevention and emergency response practices at the local level. Two Bristol-Myers Squibb facilities are covered by the RMP regulations: Humacao, Puerto Rico and Syracuse, NY. Because of our commitment to safety and compliance with our internal requirements for emergency prevention and response, our facilities worldwide meet the spirit behind the RMP program. For more information about our facilities, refer to our facility profiles section. Employee EducationEmployee awareness and training are at the core of Bristol-Myers Squibb's goal to become a leader in EHS management. Bristol-Myers Squibb provides guidelines for training both new and experienced employees. In addition, facility environmental coordinators and other full-time EHS professionals must complete, at company expense, at least 40 hours of annual EHS training related to their job assignments. Other company education initiatives include corporate and divisional intranet web sites; employee publications; functional and cross-functional group meetings; management awareness training; and topic-specific training and manuals. Energy Management ProgramEach division is required to develop and maintain an energy management program based on the characteristics of its specific operational situations. The Corporate Quality, Environment, Health, and Safety Department reviews these programs annually and reports its findings to senior management. The program objectives are supported by a number of other company initiatives that require consideration of energy issues, including our EHS Policy, acquisition due diligence, CAR review process, and product life cycle assessments. As a result, our facilities typically make use of state-of-the-art, energy-efficient technologies. For example, Bristol-Myers Squibb operates a 1 million square-foot pharmaceutical research and development facility in Wallingford, Connecticut. The site covers 180 acres and houses a state-of-the-art research laboratory. It is staffed by approximately 1,200 employees working to discover cures for diseases such as cancer and HIV. The site requires a significant amount of energy, both electricity and steam. To optimize reliability, efficiency, economics, and environmental performance, Bristol-Myers Squibb constructed and continues to invest in a combined heat and power (CHP) plant that consists of a 4.8-megawatt combustion turbine that uses clean-burning natural gas, and a heat recovery system (waste heat boiler). The efficiency of the CHP system is approximately 72 percent, as compared to an estimated 32 percent efficiency for the entire U.S. electric system. Considering the amount of electric and steam energy that the Wallingford facility draws from its CHP plant and comparing this with the alternative (buying power from the New England power pool and generating steam through a typical boiler), the CHP system has reduced site GHG emissions by approximately 20 percent, or roughly 6,600 tons per year. Information Management SystemsComputer-based information management systems enable our company to maximize the effectiveness, productivity, and value of our EHS program. Information management systems help us to pursue our goals of sustainable development and sustainable competitive advantage. Bristol-Myers Squibb has in place several computer-based information management systems, the Operating Results database, and several EHS intranet sites. Office of Corporate ConductOur employees are expected to adhere to the highest ethical standards in the conduct of our business. The Office of Corporate Conduct is a resource for any employee wishing to report suspected instances of improper conduct within the company or to ask questions. Employees may contact the office by telephone through the company's helpline, by email, or by writing anonymously or identifying themselves with the assurance that their identity will be kept confidential. We regularly promote awareness of this resource through mailings to employees at their homes and other hardcopy and electronic media, including posters in common areas and the company's intranet. OneEngineeringThe BMS OneEngineering Community has engineering specifications, standards, and guidelines (SSGs) that are applicable to the design and implementation stages of a project. The SSGs allow BMS's engineering community and all of its stakeholders to design and implement engineering projects that are mindful of sustainable development and are closely aligned with our Sustainability 2010 Goals. Examples of the SSGs include architectural, mechanical, environmental impact control, product selection, roofing, and painting guidelines. In addition to the BMS Sustainability 2010 Goals, the SSGs are based upon the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. Packaging GuidelinesThe Environmental Guidelines for Package Development direct our businesses to minimize the environmental impact of packaging by considering source reduction, recyclability, refillability and reusability, and safe disposal. Pollution PreventionOur local facilities have years of experience demonstrating that pollution prevention makes good business sense. Pollution prevention reduces the environmental footprint of a facility and promotes economic growth through cost savings and productivity improvements. Product Life Cycle ReviewsEach of our businesses is committed to integrating product life cycle (PLC) concepts into the new product development process. PLC is our approach to eco-efficiency: designing products that meet the highest standards of excellence with regard to quality, cost, and EHS performance. By minimizing packaging, using recycled and recyclable materials, and reducing the toxicity of our raw materials, we are decreasing the overall impact of our products, including use and consumption by consumers. Stakeholder DialogueBristol-Myers Squibb has a long tradition of open communication and cooperation with our stakeholders on EHS issues. This is a fundamental element of our Corporate Pledge. Internally, we foster EHS communication and dialogue with employees through education initiatives, functional and cross-functional committees, and the Office of Corporate Conduct. Externally, we actively seek dialogue with investors, suppliers, customers, consumers, environmental and public interest groups, local and national government leaders, the media, and international organizations. Waste Contractor Evaluation ProgramPrior to the initial off-site shipment of waste, Bristol-Myers Squibb evaluates the proposed waste handling and disposal contractors. The purpose of the evaluation is to determine the capabilities of the contractors and review the contractors' compliance records to the extent possible. This includes an evaluation of whether the contractors have operated in accordance with our EHS Policy and applicable laws and regulations. By design, we limit the number of contractors used by our facilities so that we can maximize our knowledge of each contractor's capabilities. We review the status of our current waste contractors annually. Waste MinimizationBristol-Myers Squibb requires each division to develop and maintain waste minimization programs for its facilities. Waste minimization programs should cover all categories of waste generated at each location. Each division establishes waste minimization goals and reports progress to management at least annually. Our corporate audit group reviews division and facility performance against this guideline. Last updated October 22, 2007 . Italicized product names are registered trademarks of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company or one of its divisions or subsidiaries. Copyright © 1998-2006 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Your use of the information on this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Notices. |
Also in this section: More on management systems: Management System Certification
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