Workplace Safety

Our employees and contractors have an outstanding safety record. They participate in safety teams, contribute to incident investigations, undergo training and develop safety procedures.

We have created a positive and open safety culture in which employee participation is encouraged in an atmosphere of ownership and pride. Through our STEPS (“Sterling Teams to Enhance Plant Safety”) organization, employees and contractors contribute their ideas and time to improve our training, procedures, emergency response and other safety programs. We proactively protect the safety of our employees and contractors through the systematic identification, reduction and management of risks.

Our employees and contractors receive appropriate training before working in our facilities, and on a continual basis thereafter. They participate in weekly safety awareness meetings, frequent audits of our work permit system and quarterly hazard recognition inspections.

Expectations and accountabilities for safety have been defined for all levels of our organization, and employees have aligned their personal goals to meet these responsibilities. Management and employee variable compensation programs are partially dependent on our individual and collective accomplishments, including our contractor safety performance. Our Board of Directors is informed of our progress towards maintaining and improving our process safety programs through the use of metrics and quarterly presentations to the Environmental, Health & Safety Committee of our Board.

Our safety performance has earned us awards from the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association and the Texas Chemical Council.