Corporate Social Responsibility

Swire holds health and safety as its highest values. We are committed to operating safely and providing a healthy, caring workplace for our employees. We recognise that our commercial success depends on the full participation of our staff and also on the support of our customers, suppliers, business associates, and the general public as a whole. The adoption of policies that minimise risk is therefore not only a part of our good corporate governance, but also our duty. Every effort is made to ensure that, in so far as it is reasonably practicable, Swire companies conduct their businesses in a manner that will safeguard the health and safety of all sectors of the community.

Swire companies provide a variety of services directly to the public and protecting the welfare of our customers is our first priority. Individual business units comply with appropriate legislation in the countries where they operate - or in accordance with our own higher standards, as applicable. Such considerations are an integral part of our business process, and continuous efforts are being made to achieve performance improvement throughout our operations. Our guiding principle is that safety is a key indicator of organisational excellence.

Safety is everyone's responsibility. Swire requires companies and joint ventures under its operational control to publish and apply comprehensive and appropriate health and safety policies, and to use their influence and example to promote them to staff, business partners and other companies. Implementation of these policies rests primarily with the management of the individual business units. We encourage management to set high standards by personal example, and systems are in place to educate and train employees, and to ensure they are aware of - and competent to uphold - health and safety best practices. The Swire Intranet in Hong Kong regularly disseminates information to staff on a wide variety of EHS issues, including avian flu. The group has also introduced worker injury risk management programmes.

Swire companies' health and safety policies are kept constantly under review and updated as their businesses develop. Overall Swire policy on corporate safety and risk management is coordinated by the Risk Management Committee, which is chaired by a senior Director. This committee also monitors performance and compliance with these policies.