“Throughout the past year the Baxter Malta facility has worked one million hours without a lost time accident, reduced energy consumption by 14 per cent, reduced waste by 12 per cent and received an honourable mention for the best EH&S programme (2005-2006) by Baxter International Inc.” This was announced by Julian Dimech, director manufacturing of the Baxter Malta facility during the launch of the company’s EHS week.
Speaking about these achievements Mr Dimech said that “this is a great achievement not just for management but all employees at Baxter. Environment, health and safety responsibilities are important to fellow workers, our families and the organisation. For Baxter, EH&S results are just as important as our financial and quality results. To reach these targets naturally entailed a significant investment in time, resources and equipment. However considering the long-term payback in terms of a safe work place, it was well worth the investment.”
Mr Dimech added that, “in order to reach the energy conservation milestones we have invested substantially to upgrade the energy efficient HVAC, installed energy efficient light fixtures, movement-sensor lighting, timers and computer controlled equipment and finally educated our workforce on conservation. On the waste reduction achievements we have done our utmost to recycle pallets, plastic, carton boxes and used paper with a high recycled content. We also have re-used batteries, electrical and other electronic equipment and introduced a hazardous materials management system.”
The EH&S awareness week at Baxter has now become a fixed reference point in the company’s calendar of events. During this event, a number of consultants, companies, governmental and non-governmental groups are asked to participate through interactive talks and demonstrations with a view to increasing further environmental, health & safety awareness among all Baxter employees.
This year the participants included personnel from the Health Promotion Unit who provided information about healthy eating, sexual health as well as providing carbon monoxide breath testing for employees to learn about the direct impact of smoking. Other participants were FSE who spoke about fire fighting at home, Solar Solutions Ltd. who spoke about the use of solar panels, and Power Saving Solutions on power factor correction at home.
The EH&S week came to an end with the planting of a tree outside the main entrance of the facility, and another 50 trees were planted at the Ta’ Qali national park as part of the 34U campaign.
A reception was held for all Baxter Malta employees to celebrate these EH&S achievements.