“We recognise nothing is more important than the health and safety of our people,” is one of the core business ethics of New Zealand Aluminium Smelters (NZAS). NZAS at Tiwai Point - a joint venture owned by Comalco Limited (79.36 per cent) and Japan’s Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd (20.64%) - has demonstrated leadership in the critical practice of workplace safety.
NZAS believes all injuries can be eliminated and that no injury is acceptable in its business. The “Goal of Zero” injuries is an integral part of the NZAS “Strategic Map” and is linked to key results areas. The goal extends to contractors and the wider community connected with NZAS. Performance monitoring includes ethical behaviour audits and the production of a five year sustainable development plan renewed yearly, which is then reported against on a monthly basis.
NZAS was judged the World’s Best Performer by the London based International Aluminium Institute (IAI) in its annual safety performance benchmarking in May 2004. The IAI represents the majority of the world’s aluminium smelting industry, and provides a framework for addressing key sustainability issues and reporting performance on a common basis worldwide. NZAS was rated the best performing smelter from 60 plants of the same size worldwide.
