Dow Chemical 2012 Annual Report Download - page 88

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Dow believes third-party verification and transparent public reporting are cornerstones of world-class EH&S performance
and building public trust. As such, numerous Dow sites in Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific and North America have
received third-party verification of Dow’s compliance with Responsible Care® and with outside specifications such as
ISO-14001. Dow continues to be a global champion of Responsible Care® and has worked to broaden the application and
impact of Responsible Care® around the world through engagement with suppliers, customers and joint venture partners.
Dow’s EH&S policies helped the Company achieve excellent EH&S performance in 2012. Dow’s injury/illness rates and
process safety performance were excellent in 2012, and the Company is favorably positioned to achieve its 2015 sustainability
goals in these key areas. Further improvement in these areas, as well as environmental compliance, remains a top management
priority, with initiatives underway to further improve performance and compliance in 2013.
Detailed information on Dow’s performance regarding environmental matters and goals can be found online on Dow’s
Sustainability webpage at www.dow.com. The Company's website and its content are not deemed incorporated by reference into
this report.
Chemical Security
Public and political attention continues to be placed on the protection of critical infrastructure, including the chemical industry,
from security threats. Terrorist attacks and natural disasters have increased concern about the security and safety of chemical
production and distribution. Many, including Dow and the American Chemistry Council, have called for uniform risk-based
and performance-based national standards for securing the U.S. chemical industry. The Maritime Transportation Security Act
(“MTSA”) of 2002 and its regulations further set forth risk-based and performance-based standards that must be met at U.S.
Coast Guard-regulated facilities. U.S. Chemical Plant Security legislation was passed in 2006 and the Department of Homeland
Security (“DHS”) is now implementing the regulations known as the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards. The
Company is complying with the requirements of the Rail Transportation Security Rule issued by the U.S. Transportation
Security Administration (“TSA”). Dow continues to support uniform risk-based national standards for securing the chemical
industry.
The focus on security is not new to Dow. A comprehensive, multi-level security plan for the Company has been maintained
since 1988. This plan, which has been activated in response to significant world and national events since then, is reviewed on
an annual basis. Dow continues to improve its security plans, placing emphasis on the safety of Dow communities and people
by being prepared to meet risks at any level and to address both internal and external identifiable risks. The security plan
includes regular vulnerability assessments, security audits, mitigation efforts and physical security upgrades designed to reduce
vulnerability. Dow’s security plans also are developed to avert interruptions of normal business work operations that could
materially and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.
Dow played a key role in the development and implementation of the American Chemistry Council’s Responsible Care®
Security Code, which requires that all aspects of security – including facility, transportation and cyberspace – be assessed and
gaps addressed. Through the Company’s global implementation of the Security Code, Dow has permanently heightened the
level of security – not just in the United States, but worldwide. Dow employs several hundred employees and contractors in its
Emergency Services and Security department worldwide.
Through the implementation of the Security Code, including voluntary security enhancements and upgrades made since
2002, Dow is well-positioned to comply with the new U.S. chemical facility regulations and other regulatory security
frameworks. In addition, Dow was the first chemical company to receive coverage under the Support Anti-terrorism by
Fostering Effective Technologies Act (“SAFETY Act”) from the DHS in 2007 for the Company’s MTSA regulated sites, and
the first to receive coverage under the SAFETY Act in 2008 for the Company’s Rail Transportation Security Services. This
unprecedented certification helps validate Dow’s efforts and provides additional liability coverage in the event of a terrorist
attack.
Dow continues to work collaboratively across the supply chain on Responsible Care®, Supply Chain Design, Emergency
Preparedness, Shipment Visibility and transportation of hazardous materials. Dow is cooperating with public and private
entities to lead the implementation of advanced tank car design, and track and trace technologies. Further, Dow’s Distribution
Risk Review process that has been in place for decades was expanded to address potential threats in all modes of transportation
across the Company’s supply chain. To reduce vulnerabilities, Dow maintains security measures that meet or exceed regulatory
and industry security standards in all areas in which the Company operates.