Document Bym9nD7oqv7pobdYdb0gNm3bm

Robert W. Gerwig Executive Vice President (conoco) Continental OH Company 5 Greenway Plaza East P. O. Box 2197 Houston, Texas 77001 (713) 627-4700 TO: All CONOCO Chemicals Supervisors DATE: March 2, 1976 SUBJECT: SAFETY--CONOCO CHEMICALS A review of our 1975 safety performance indicates a significant improvement over 1974. We experienced four disabling injuries versus seven for the previous year. This resulted in a disabling injury frequency for 1975 of 1.65. This frequency rate is less than half of that for the overall chemical industry. Perhaps, more significantly, we were able to achieve a substantial reduction in the total doctor cases--from 169 down to 101. We believe there is still room for further improvements in our safety programs, and we have set a 1976 goal of a 25% reduction in the total number of doctor cases for CONOCO Chemicals. I would like for each one of you to set realistic objectives for improving safety in your area of supervision. I firmly believe that setting a top priority for safety is consistent with maintaining an efficient, productive chemical operation. Safe, reliable operations are absolutely essential to achieve maximum production in the long run. I believe that our safety program has in recent years been successful in minimizing the impact of serious mishaps both for employees and for the company. Another aspect of employee safety which deserves increasing attention is exposure to potentially toxic materials. Many of our plants have made excellent progress in this area and we want to encourage these programs, and to make CONOCO Chemicals a leader in the chemical industry in terms of maintaining a safe working environment. During 1976, I will be reviewing safety performance in each of our opera tions. I wish you all success in your efforts to achieve another record year in safety. R. W. Gerwig /jn Building On The Past.. . For The Future VVC 0000096*3