Health, Safety & environmental performance

Summary

Management actively addresses the possible effects of the Group’s activities on employee health and safety and on the environment. The obligation to provide a safe working environment for employees is paramount. The Group’s policy is to operate in a socially and environmentally responsible manner, and to seek ways of reducing any adverse impact upon its surroundings through waste reduction and recycling schemes and programmes to improve energy efficiency.

Communication

Health, Safety and Environmental performance is reported to shareholders in the annual report, to the Board annually and to staff through internal communication channels, such as induction, all-company briefings, and through notice boards.

Health, Safety & Environmental Committee

The Committee is responsible for implementing and monitoring the Group's policy on health, safety and environmental issues.  The Chief Executive is the Board member with responsibility for HSE matters.  The Committee reports formally to the Board on an annual basis.

The Biocompatibles Health, Safety & Environment Committee meets monthly in order to review performance, improve systems and set policy with a vision of providing a safe working environment for employees and visitors; operating in a socially and environmentally responsible manner and in compliance with health & safety and environmental regulations; seeking ways of reducing any adverse impact upon the environment; and minimising accidents through education, awareness training and effective management.

Health & Safety Performance

Detailed procedure training in risk assessment and handling of cytotoxic drugs has been provided to staff as a result of the increased handling of cytotoxic compounds in the research, development and manufacturing of our Drug-Eluting Bead products.  Both Biocompatibles UK and CellMed ensure the correct personal protective equipment and procedures are in place for working with hazardous compounds and regular blood screening is in place for all lab workers at risk of exposure.  Latex gloves have been removed from the Farnham site and replaced with non-allergenic nitrile alternatives, in line with Industry best-practice.

The Biocompatibles UK's accident rate at Farnham increased slightly in 2007 to 1.22/10,000 hours worked due to a drive to encourage reporting.  All accidents were minor and there were no notifications under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations).  There were no reportable accidents at CellMed.

Environmental Performance

Both Biocompatibles UK and CellMed maintained their records of compliance with environmental regulation.  Total energy usage and carbon emissions increased at both sites but energy efficiency improved.  A number of environmental measures are in place at the CellMed site, including the use of clean gas for heating, the use of cool water in the concrete elements of the building for economic cooling, the use of greywater in the bathrooms. the use of diesel powered vehicles by all staff and a reduction in air travel.  Cathode Ray Tube computer monitors have been replaced by low power LCD versions and low energy lightbulbs are in standard use; this has resulted in lower electricity usage on both sites.  Paper, cardboard and printer consumables are also recycled in both locations.  Staff on both sites are encouraged to be aware of the need to conserve energy and are actively encouraged to recommend alternative methods to achieve such savings. 

Biocompatibles UK (2003=100)
2003
2004
2005
2006
 2007
Energy Usage Total kGJ
100
100
120
125
 128
Absolute usage in 2003
 4kGj
        
Carbon emissions CO2 equivalent (tonnes)
100
102
111
113
 112
Absolute emissions in 2003
 394t
        
 
CellMed (2005=100)
    
2005
2006
 2007
Energy Usage Total kGJ    
100
116
 106
Absolute usage in 2005    
0.97kGJ
    
Carbon emissions CO2 equivalent (tonnes)    
100
115
 106
Absolute emissions in 2005    
108t