Prior to the merger of BHP and Billiton, both companies had a keen focus on improving their performance in health, safety, environment and community (HSEC) matters. This shared intent, albeit executed in somewhat different ways, provided an excellent foundation for the new Company. During the integration planning phase, a team was formed to consider the organisational design for consistently achieving world class HSEC performance. The design included the policy platform, resources, structures, standards and procedures to be implemented in the merged entity._x000D_
A key aspect of the design was the fully integrated HSEC Management Standards. These Standards create the framework for the consistent application of BHP Billiton's HSEC Policy at all of our managed operations across the world. The Standards have their origin in similar frameworks adopted by BHP during the 1990s, as well as the well-known quality related standards (eg ISO 14001). However, they are unique in that they combine all aspects of HSEC management into a single integrated set of auditable standards. By combining these areas and integrating our HSEC Management Standards with other aspects of the BHP Billiton Way', we are establishing a holistic, line management driven improvement approach. Over time, the BHP Billiton Way will embed a systematic improvement philosophy that we expect will become a key source of competitive advantage._x000D_
The HSEC Management Standards are consistent with ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, the Australian Minerals Industry Code for Environmental Management and generally aligned with SA8000. While compliance with these external standards ensures that a systematic approach and improvement plans are in place, BHP Billiton's HSEC Standards go further to include minimum performance requirements that reflect the intent of our HSEC Policy. Therefore, implementation at site level ensures that robust systems are in place to implement our Policy and that accreditation can be achieved to external standards if required._x000D_
To assess implementation of the HSEC Management Standards an audit system has been designed which incorporates both self-assessment and peer review. Each site is required to undertake an annual self-assessment of compliance with the Standards using a common assessment protocol. Every three years a peer review is conducted at each site to confirm the results of self-assessment and to provide a means of sharing knowledge throughout the Company. The review teams are composed of line managers and HSEC professionals from around the Company, representatives of our joint venture partners and independent specialists as required. The Company has committed to public reporting of the audit results through our annual HSEC report and this is reflected in our published targets._x000D_
From a wider perspective, as we in the resources industry strive to collectively raise our HSEC performance and reputation, there may be a role for industry based HSEC Management Standards complemented by a level of independent review.