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Employee complaints about possible legal infractions at BP rose by two-thirds last year in the wake of some major health and safety incidents.
The oil multinational’s latest sustainability report shows that 1064 cases across 56 countries were raised through the company’s confidential ‘Opentalk’ helpline last year, compared with 634 in 2005 – a 68 per cent increase.
However, BP largely puts the rise down to increased awareness of the 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week service rather than a growth in actual incidents. The most common concerns raised in 2006 were ‘people management issues’ and compliance with health and safety regulations.
BP’s reputation has been damaged in the past two years by high-profile oil spills in Alaska and an explosion and fire at its Texas City refinery that led to the loss of 15 lives.
Employees or contractors who are concerned that laws, regulations, standards or the company’s code of conduct may be being breached can raise concerns through OpenTalk using a multilingual phone line or by fax, email or letter.
All reports are initially handled by an independent body before being forwarded to a senior BP manager who will act as a regional ombudsperson, ensuring a response and possibly an investigation. BP does not reveal details of investigations or their outcomes.
Last year BP America also appointed former US district court judge Stanley Sporkin as its America ombudsperson. He serves as a ‘neutral and supportive adviser’ to employees and contractors who want to report suspected breaches.
The oil multinational’s latest sustainability report shows that 1064 cases across 56 countries were raised through the company’s confidential ‘Opentalk’ helpline last year, compared with 634 in 2005 – a 68 per cent increase.
However, BP largely puts the rise down to increased awareness of the 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week service rather than a growth in actual incidents. The most common concerns raised in 2006 were ‘people management issues’ and compliance with health and safety regulations.
BP’s reputation has been damaged in the past two years by high-profile oil spills in Alaska and an explosion and fire at its Texas City refinery that led to the loss of 15 lives.
Employees or contractors who are concerned that laws, regulations, standards or the company’s code of conduct may be being breached can raise concerns through OpenTalk using a multilingual phone line or by fax, email or letter.
All reports are initially handled by an independent body before being forwarded to a senior BP manager who will act as a regional ombudsperson, ensuring a response and possibly an investigation. BP does not reveal details of investigations or their outcomes.
Last year BP America also appointed former US district court judge Stanley Sporkin as its America ombudsperson. He serves as a ‘neutral and supportive adviser’ to employees and contractors who want to report suspected breaches.
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