Press release
North America
April 6, 2015

Evonik Canada‘s Gibbons Site Reaches Remarkable Safety Milestone

Dedicated Employees Have Worked 12 Years Without A Lost Time Accident

An uncompromising focus on safety at Evonik Canada’s hydrogen peroxide facility in Gibbons has produced impressive results: Employees have worked more than 12 years without a Lost Time Accident.

“We strive to provide and maintain a safe and healthy workplace,“ said Michael Traexler, senior vice president and global head of Evonik‘s Active Oxygens Business Line. “Evonik is committed to promoting a work environment that goes beyond mere safety compliance. I am immensely proud of each team member’s commitment to continually address safety and health issues. They work together to make our Gibbons site a safer, more productive work environment.”

Evonik defines a Lost Time Accident as a work-related accident or injury resulting in an employee taking time off from work.

Jack Chenault, vice president & general manager, Americas, for Evonik’s Active Oxygens, added that Evonik encourages all employees to think of safety as a life sustaining skill, not only for the workplace but in all aspects of their lives.

“We continually stress safety and it has produced remarkable results – 12 years without a Lost Time Accident,” said Chenault. “I applaud our Gibbons team and their emphasis on safety every day.”

Gibbons Site Manager Hans Schuhbauer, Ph.D, added that the benefits of maintaining a safe work environment are numerous but first and foremost, safety is about protecting employees.

“It’s important that we send our workers home in the same condition they came in,“ said Schuhbauer. “A safe work environment boosts employee morale, which increases productivity and efficiency. A safe work environment also impacts the bottom line. A strong safety culture results in lower productivity losses. Lost time accidents also can lead to customer dissatisfaction and loss of future business. That’s why at Gibbons, we constantly stress safety.“

Evonik Canada’s Gibbons site produces hydrogen peroxide, an environmentally-friendly chemical used for oxidation reactions, bleaching processes in pulp, paper and textile industries, waste water treatment, exhaust air treatment and for various disinfection applications. Decomposing to yield only oxygen and water, hydrogen peroxide is one of the cleanest, most versatile chemicals available.

For additional information about Evonik in North America, please visit our website and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Company information

Evonik, the creative industrial group from Germany, is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. Profitable growth and a sustained increase in the value of the company form the heart of Evonik’s corporate strategy. Its activities focus on the key megatrends health, nutrition, resource efficiency and globalization. Evonik benefits specifically from its innovative prowess and integrated technology platforms.

Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world. In fiscal 2014 more than 33,000 employees generated sales of around €12.9 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of about €1.9 billion.

Disclaimer

In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.