EHS Programs

In this section:
• EHS Manuals
• Internal Environmental and Safety Audits
• EHS Review Process for Capital Projects and Process Changes
• Chemical Material Management
• Waste Site Review Board

Anheuser-Busch has established several programs aimed at improving performance and providing employees with tools to pursue EHS goals. The following are a few examples of the company’s EHS programs.

EHS Manuals

Each Anheuser-Busch location has a customized, up-to-date EHS Manual that identifies all of the facility’s EHS requirements, both regulatory and internal company requirements. In addition to identifying the necessary tasks to ensure compliance, the computer-based manual provides additional information and organizational tools such as guidance documents, definitions of responsibilities, links to regulatory references, checklists and calendars.

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Internal Environmental and Safety Audits

The Anheuser-Busch environmental audit program involves teams of corporate environmental staff, on-site environmental staff and external consultants conducting audits at every facility. Since 2003, we have had some facilities audited solely by third-party consultants. These third-party audits provide an objective assessment of the approach and measurements used in the company’s internal audits performed by Anheuser-Busch staff.

As part of the environmental audit program, a corporate facility environmental liaison helps support follow-up activities, including facility-based environmental projects and initiatives. The program also includes facility self-assessments. The frequency of environmental audits at individual facilities depends upon the potential risks associated with the facility: the greater the risk, the more often audits are conducted. Potential risk is determined through factors, such as previous audit results, the number of fines and penalties incurred, new laws and regulations, and local issues. Facilities are typically audited every two to five years. In 2006, a total of 23 Anheuser-Busch facilities underwent internal environmental audits.

Safety audit teams are led by members of the Corporate Safety staff and supplemented by subsidiary or facility EHS managers, as appropriate. This process provides additional assistance for corporate safety audits and includes hands-on training for facility EHS staff. Following a facility walk-through inspection and a review of written procedures, safety auditors provide a formal written audit report summarizing findings and identifying any follow-up issues.

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EHS Review Process for Capital Projects and Process Changes

Anheuser-Busch uses a web-based tool to review the potential EHS impacts of major projects and process changes. As part of the capital project approval process, each project team must answer an online questionnaire that probes how the project’s construction and operation may affect workplace safety and the environment. EHS professionals, and the breweries’ resident engineers, review this information to ensure that the company identifies and manages risks appropriately, and optimizes opportunities to minimize safety and environmental impacts. By considering EHS issues in the planning stage, teams can better manage regulatory compliance and avoid potentially expensive and less effective retrofit solutions. In addition, EHS professionals review information on new products and packaging to help teams address any EHS concerns early in the process.

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Chemical Material Management

The Chemical Material Management Program provides a systematic approach for tracking the use of chemical materials within our facilities. This approach helps ensure workplace safety and compliance with applicable laws, regulations and internal requirements. The system is primarily used by our U.S. brewing, agricultural and packaging facilities, which represent the bulk of chemical use within our company.

As part of the program, a chemical management information system tracks chemical use and contains information about a material’s hazards, composition and regulatory status. The chemical master list and associated facility inventories provide ready information on a chemical’s regulatory status. EHS professionals within the company use this tool to manage chemical use and to reduce or eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals wherever possible. EHS management reviews all new chemical purchases and new applications of approved chemicals.

An additional feature, implemented late in 2006, was the addition of international building code information for new chemicals to assist in ensuring that storage of hazardous materials is compatible with building code regulations.

In 2007 and beyond, the Chemical Material Management Program will be again called to duty as an aid in assuring compliance with new security screening requirements imposed by the Department of Homeland Security on any current or future use of over 200 listed chemicals.

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Waste Site Review Board

Our company’s Waste Site Review Board helps minimize waste disposal liability by evaluating and approving commercial waste facilities. Anheuser-Busch subsidiaries and facilities are required to use only corporate-approved hazardous waste and used-oil disposal facilities. Approval procedures include a preliminary review of a waste disposal facility’s regulatory compliance history, financial strength and insurance coverage. Once these three areas have been evaluated, an Anheuser-Busch inspector visits the site to review operations and management practices.

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