We are committed to ensuring our people are valued and human rights are respected throughout our operations. In particular, the health and safety of employees, contractors, and visitors to our sites is our highest priority, given the nature of our processes.
We are committed to ensuring that our workforce is valued and human rights are respected throughout our operations. In particular, the health and safety of employees, contractors, and visitors to our sites is our highest priority.
As a signatory to the UNGC the elements of the Charter are reflected in our company Code of Conduct. This includes respecting the right to collective bargaining and freedom of association, and preventing instances of human trafficking, forced labour, and child labour. We work closely with trade unions and works councils at our sites and have employee forums for employees not covered by collective agreements. We ensure that compensation is competitive and provide regular training and development opportunities.
As a global company we value diversity. Our Code of Conduct prohibits workplace harassment and discrimination and requires employees to respect equality of opportunity in recruitment, development, and promotion. Employees can raise concerns anonymously through our Speak Up system if they believe anyone is acting inconsistently with our values and we will take appropriate action. We are committed to making the workplace inclusive for underrepresented groups and have various initiatives, such as lean in circles, an INEOS women’s network, and an employee resource group for women in INEOS Styrolution.
Our highest priority is the health and safety of employees, contractors, and visitors at our sites. Our sites are required to follow our 7 life saving rules, 20 principles of behavioural and process safety, and detailed group safety procedures. In addition, we provide innovative and accessible fitness and wellness programmes that support physical and mental health. Our flagship programme—INEOS Energy Station—is free for all employees and has over 10,000 users globally.
Over the past 15 years, we have achieved a fourfold reduction in the rate of work-related injuries and illnesses through implementing safety management best practices. In 2024, we recorded 0.2 incidents per 200,000 hours worked by employees and contractors, which is seven times lower than the average incident rate for basic chemical manufacturing in the US.
INEOS has a Supplier Code of Conduct based on UN and OECD standards that is designed to protect the interests of workers in our upstream value chain.
We expect suppliers to adhere to the code. This includes preventing forced labour and child labour; allowing free association and collective bargaining; avoiding conflict minerals; eradicating discrimination and harassment; providing fair working terms; and ensuring the workplace is safe.
As a signatory to the Responsible Care global charter, we are committed to effective product stewardship that protects downstream value-chain workers. We publish Safety Data Sheets for all our products, so customers know how to handle and use chemicals safely in compliance with regulations.
We have put in place a supplier due diligence procedure to strengthen enforcement of our Supplier Code of Conduct. In 2024, we assessed our top 200 suppliers and our procurement teams followed up on areas of concern. Our procurement teams receive training on sustainable sourcing and responsible supply chain practices every year and we share best practices across our businesses. In 2024, we also extended INEOS’ Speak Up system to the value chain, enabling external stakeholders to report alleged supplier misconduct so that appropriate action can be taken.
INEOS is committed to being a responsible neighbour and making a positive contribution to local communities around our sites.
Our sites have strict safety procedures in place to prevent incidents that could affect the local community, as well as response systems and hotlines to protect people in the rare event of an emergency. Our sites monitor and control emissions to air, water and soil, as well as noise, light, and odour levels, and water use in line with permit conditions to minimise negative impacts on local people and ecosystems. They also engage with local residents and community groups regularly to build strong relationships founded on open dialogue.
When undertaking development projects, we consult communities thoroughly in line with local regulations and lender requirements, following best practices such as the Equator Principles and IFC Performance Standards. If local residents have concerns about the actual or potential impacts of our operations or developments, they can submit a report via our Speak Up system and we will take appropriate action. Our businesses also have complementary channels in place for specific sites and projects.
We are active in supporting local causes that reduce childhood poverty, promote health and fitness, and inspire the next generation of engineers. In the UK, we are working with 100 schools to invest in projects that alleviate childhood poverty and inequality of opportunity through the Forgotten 40 initiative. Internationally, we are helping millions of children participate in 15 minutes of daily physical activity at school to establish healthy habits that could last a lifetime through The Daily Mile initiative. We also encourage young people to pursue STEM careers by providing talks and experimental equipment to schools through initiatives such as STEMfluencers in Belgium and TuWas! in Germany.
