Reducing chemical risk is a continued focus at Weyerhaeuser. Our chemical management policy sets clear expectations for "no new purchases" of products containing polychlorinated biphenyls, asbestos or lead-based paints and "restricted use only" of products containing chlorinated solvents, mercury compounds or aerosol propellants.
Our focus on reducing the overall number of chemical products used through improved inventory management and on improving the accuracy of our chemical product inventory by eliminating outdated records. These efforts reduce the risk of chemical exposures and improve employee access to chemical product information through Material Safety Data Sheets.
Sustainability in Action
Spring cleaning leads to stream-lining
Our Sutton, West Va., oriented strand board plant took a time-out in 2010 for a focused, Kaizen-style approach to improving onsite chemical management. The team began with the vision of creating and maintaining a safe place to work that is free of chemical hazards. They reviewed all chemical storage areas and inventoried their contents. For chemicals that were no longer needed, appropriate disposal methods were identified. For chemicals that continued to remain on site, the team ensured that Material Safety Data Sheets were available and up-to-date, and that they were being stored properly onsite.
Their efforts resulted in:
- a nearly 25 percent reduction in Material Safety Data Sheets required
- a 21 percent increase in up-to-date Material Safety Data Sheets
- an estimated $9000 a year cost savings from increased efficiency, system-update cost reductions, and stock-rotation savings
The newly cleaned and organized storage cabinets were labeled with content lists and "after" photos to help to sustain chemical management.
