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CEO's EHS excellence awards

The Chief Executive Officer’s Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Excellence Awards Programme promotes improvements in GlaxoSmithKline’s use of human, environmental and economic resources. It rewards innovation, effective over the long term, that can be shared within the company. Nominations of projects to be considered in the programme may come from any part of the organisation. A panel of experts recommends award winners from a list of finalist projects prepared for them by a review committee internal to GlaxoSmithKline. The expert panel is drawn from academia, government and non-government organisations, and includes a member of the Board of Directors. Sir Christopher Hogg, Chairman of the Board in 2004, participated on the panel.

The programme makes awards in three categories. Initiatives that foster responsible use of human, environmental and economic resources with the local community may be awarded an EHS Community partnership award. Projects that benefit environment, health and safety through new and efficient chemistry or technology may win a Green chemistry/green technology award. Programmes that demonstrate improvements in environment or health and safety management and performance may win an EHS Initiative Award. In 2004, because of the large number of entries in this category, awards were made in two subgroups: EHS initiative - environment and EHS initiative - safety. Each winning site is recognised with a specially designed trophy and the opportunity to make a donation to a charitable organisation selected by the winning team.

In 2004, the third year of the awards programme, 120 projects were nominated to the programme, 27 per cent more than in 2003. 64 GSK sites in 32 countries submitted entries. 12 sites in 12 countries participated for the first time. This year, 12 projects received top honours. The winners were

EHS community partnership

First place:
Evreux, France (Global Manufacturing and Supply, New Product and Global Supply) for “EHS School Challenge”. The EHS School Challenge aims to raise awareness of EHS issues among local school children. In 2003, over fourteen schools took part in the initiative.

Second place:
Xochimilco, Mexico (Pharmaceuticals International and Global Manufacturing and Supply, Regional Pharma Supply) for “Working With Our Neighbours”. The site supports a range of projects to help Mixteca ethnic communities. Examples include: training for over four thousand “health promoters”, supporting a clinic for cervical-uterine cancer and assisting local women to establish a chicken farm for food and income.

Third place:
Sonepat, India (Global Manufacturing and Supply, Consumer Healthcare Supply) for “Project Pragati”. Project Pragati (pragati means development) provides support to local communities, including an eye clinic (to address the high incidence of eye problems in the area), training of village women as seamstresses, traffic and pedestrian safety education sessions and helping to fund a fire engine.

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Green chemistry / technology

First place:
Verona, Italy (Research & development) for “Environmentally Friendly Synthesis of GW597599B”. Novel techniques have been used to remove several hazardous substances, including triphosgene, from the production process of GW597599B (which is being tested to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting).

Second place:
Cork, Eire (Research & development and Global Manufacturing and Supply, Primary Supply and Antibiotics) for “GW572016 Solvent Usage Reduction”. A 35 per cent reduction in solvent use and energy savings have been achieved by re-designing the process for making GW572016 (used to treat solid tumours).

Third place:
Stevenage, United Kingdom, (Research & development) for “Development Of GW273629 Route of Manufacture”. A new process has been developed to produce GW273629 (used in the treatment of migraines). This avoids the use of dioxane, a carcinogenic chemical, and eliminates the use of DMF, a solvent listed as a reproductive hazard under the Solvent Emissions Directive. It also saves energy and reduces waste. Overall, improvements to the process have reduced costs by £1,000 per kg, an annual saving of £30 million based on projected peak production of 30 tonnes per year.

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EHS initiative - environment

First place:
Bogotá, Colombia (Global Manufacturing and Supply, Consumer Healthcare Supply) for “Pharmaceutical Waste Bioremediation”. The pioneering use of reed bed technology for the treatment of pharmaceutical waste in Colombia has led to a 60 per cent reduction in the cost of final waste treatment.

Second place:
Cairo, Egypt (Global Manufacturing and Supply, Regional Pharma Supply) for “Waste Re-use And Reduced Resource Consumption”. A new process was designed to re-use waste gelatine in the encapsulation process – reducing waste and resource consumption.

Third place:
Barnard Castle, United Kingdom Global Manufacturing and Supply, New Product and Global Supply) for “Increased Mass Conversion Efficiency Of Cephalosporin Oral Products”. Improvements to the process of producing cephalosporin (an antibiotic) have significantly reduced the amount of waste - helping to divert over 1 tonne per year of active pharmaceutical ingredient from incineration.

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EHS initiative - safety

First place:
Barnard Castle, United Kingdom Global Manufacturing and Supply, New Product and Global Supply) for “Ergonomic Improvements”. The site has successfully raised employee awareness of ergonomic risks. Teams have identified and completed 59 ergonomic improvement projects and ergonomic experts are consulted on the design of new equipment.

Second place:
Nabha, India (Global Manufacturing and Supply, Consumer Healthcare Supply) for “EHS Strategy and Mechanical Scraping Machine”. The site, which produces malted food, implemented a new EHS Strategy. This resulted in the development of a new mechanised scraping machine (used in the tray drying process), which has reduced workers’ exposure to moving parts and the risk of repetitive strain injury.

Third place:
Mayenne France (Global Manufacturing and Supply, Primary Supply and Antibiotics Supply) for “Control of Driving Risks”. The site has organised driving safety courses for employees for five years. Each year about 50 employees complete a one-day training session, including classroom presentations and practical workshops where drivers learn to control their cars in emergencies.

In 2004 winning project teams nominated the following charitable organisations to receive donations:

• Abbasia chest hospital, Egypt is a specialist, teaching hospital in Cairo.
• AIL Verona Onlus, Italy, researches leukemia and other related illnesses and provides aid and assistance to patients and their relatives illness.
• Cancer Research UK, United Kingdom, researches into the nature, causes, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and cure of all forms of cancer.
• Cartoon Art Trust, United Kingdom is dedicated to preserving the best of British cartoons, caricatures, comics and animation.
• Charities Aid Foundation, India creates a sustainable voluntary sector with resources contributed by relationships built on trust between NGOs and donors. CAF India has pioneered corporate community initiatives with several companies in India.
• Fundacion Mexicana Para La Salud, Mexico provides students in the countryside of Mexico with educational materials about the prevention of AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies.
• Irish Cancer Society, Ireland, is the largest funder of cancer research in Ireland.
• La Prevention Routière, France campaigns for safe driving in France and Europe.
• Maison de l'Enfant et des Découvertes, France provide young people with educational and leisure activities to promote interest in and understanding of science and technology.
• Millview Resource Centre, Northern Ireland responds to community needs through a range of initiatives and support services, with local participation and in partnership with others.
• National Children’s Home, United Kingdom runs more than 500 projects for the UK's most vulnerable children, young people and their families and in doing so, supports over 140,000 people.
• Northumberland Wildlife Trust, United Kingdom advances the principles and practice of sustainable development and biodiversity conservation.
• Teesdale Opportunities for Disabled Youngsters, United Kingdom provides advocacy recreation and leisure activities for the relief of young people with disabilities.
• World Wildlife Fund, United Kingdom works to protect endangered species and their habitats, and addresses global threats to nature.

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Awards 2003
In 2003, the second year of the awards programme, 94 projects were nominated to the programme, over a third more than in 2002. Over a third more sites (53) in 20 countries participated. The research & development organisation entered projects for the first time.

In 2003, 11 projects received top honours. The winners were:

EHS community partnership

First place:
“Good Corporate Citizenship”, global manufacturing and Supply, Consumer Healthcare Supply, Rajahmundry, India.

Second place:
“Managing the Marshes”, global manufacturing and supply, primary supply Dartford, United Kingdom.

Third place:
“Leadership on Reduction of Mercury Contributions to Area Surface Waters”, US Pharmaceuticals, Research Triangle Park, United States.

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Green chemistry / technology

First place:
“Discovery and development of a green process”, research & development, Tonbridge, United Kingdom.

Second place:
“Tranilast: improved production process”, Research & development, Upper Merion, United States.

Third place (2):
“Nano Filtration Curbs Production Losses”, global manufacturing and supply, primary supply Ulverston, United Kingdom tied with “Photochemistry - A brighter future”, research & development, Upper Merion, United States.

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EHS initiative

First place:
“Resource Reduction: Water Conservation, Effluent Reduction and Turbo Generator”, Global Manufacturing and Supply, Consumer Healthcare Supply, Rajahmundry, India.

Second place:
“Bio-composting of Solid Wastes”, global manufacturing and supply, Consumer Healthcare Supply, Nabha and Rajahmundry, India.

Third place (2):
“Observations in the Workplace Leading to Safety -OWLS” global manufacturing and Supply, Primary Supply, Cork, Ireland tied with “EHS Risk Mitigation Initiatives” , Global Manufacturing and Supply, International Supply, Thane, India.

In 2003 winning project teams nominated the following charitable organisations to receive donations:

• Brigham and Women's Hospital, United States is a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, a pioneer in women's health and in many other areas of medicine.
• Charities Aid Foundation, India creates a sustainable voluntary sector with resources contributed by relationships built on trust between NGOs and donors. CAF India has pioneered corporate community initiatives with several companies in India.
• Cystic Fibrosis Trust, United Kingdom funds medical and scientific research aimed towards understanding, treating and curing cystic fibrosis. It also aims to ensure that people with cystic fibrosis receive the best possible care and support in all aspects of their lives.
• The Hospice in the Weald, United Kingdom provides inpatient and community nursing as well as family support and bereavement counselling in Kent and Sussex.
• Leukaemia Research Fund, United Kingdom improves treatments, finds cures and investigates the causes and prevention of cancers of the blood and related conditions, in children and adults.
• Maharogi Sewa Samiti Warora, India treats, trains and rehabilitates the leprosy afflicted and other handicapped people. It also trains school dropouts in rural areas of India.
• Millview Resource Centre, Northern Ireland responds to community needs through a range of initiatives and support services, with local participation and in partnership with others.
• National MS Society, United States promotes research, educates, advocates on critical issues, and organises a wide range of programmes including support for the newly diagnosed and those living with multiple sclerosis over time.
• Otter Valley Association, United Kingdom works with local government and environmental organisations to interest residents and visitors in the history, geography, natural history, architecture and future of the Otter Valley in Devon.
• SANE, United Kingdom is one of the UK's leading charities concerned with improving the lives of everyone affected by mental illness.
• Shelter, United Kingdom prevents and alleviates homelessness by providing information, advice and advocacy for people with housing problems.
• The Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities, United States offers educational, residential, and family support services to children and adults with special needs.

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Awards 2002
In 2002, the first year of the awards programme, 67 applications were received from 40 sites in 20 countries. The winners in the first year were:

Community Partnership:

First place:
“Helping Hands To Small Businesses” Ulverston, GMS Primary Supply

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EHS initiative

First place:
“Innovative Health and Safety Concepts and Approach for Construction of New Horlicks Facility” Sonepat, India. GMS Consumer Healthcare.

Second Place:

“Waste Management Projects at Ankleshwar” Ankleshwar, India. GMS Primary Supply.

Third place:

“Leave Work The Way You Came – A Total Approach to Safety in a Manufacturing Organisation” Aiken, USA. GMS Consumer Healthcare.

Special commendation:

“Integral Waste Management System” Bogota, Colombia. GMS Consumer Healthcare.

Special commendation:

“Safety And Environmental Achievements in Demolition And Construction Activities For Augmentin XR Tablet” Quality Road, Singapore. GMS Primary.

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There were no green chemistry/green technology awards made in 2002.

In 2002 winning project teams nominated the following charitable organisations to receive donations:

• American Cancer Society, USA;
• Charities Aid Foundation, India;
• Missionaries of Charity, India;
• Ulverston Life Education Support Group, UK.

Members of the external selection panel who helped in the adjudication of the awards selected the following organisations to receive donations from GSK on their behalf:

• Brigham and Women’s Hospital, USA;
• Fairlynch Art Centre and Museum, UK;
• Millview Resource Centre, Ireland;
• Otter Valley Association, UK;
• Oxfam, UK.

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