By every measure, we recorded our safest year in history during 2014, continuing to post a track record that is among the best in the chemical industry. This achievement reflects a philosophy that puts the health and well-being of our employees and surrounding communities above all else.

Our safety strategy is built on the concept of “Do It Right” and permeates our business in three key ways:

• Robust Systems that provide clear, repeatable direction toward excellence
• Superior Performance that aligns effective and efficient EHS activities with operations
• Engaged Culture that empowers consistent behavior that drives toward excellence

Regular and comprehensive training for employees engaged in production and distribution activities, including contractors, is a cornerstone of our systemic approach to safety. These programs include annual environmental, health and safety (EHS) training and testing that focus on daily operations, as well as hazardous waste operations and emergency response (HAZWOPER) and hazardous materials (HAZMAT). We also work closely with emergency responders and other local officials to develop detailed emergency response plans that extend beyond our physical plants. In 2014, for example, emergency response training at our distribution facilities totaled approximately 5,400 hours and involved 420 CF employees and 192 off-site responders.

In the past year, we have put a particular emphasis on behavioral risk management in order to further integrate safety into our day-to-day operations and culture. The goal is to evolve safety from something we “do” to something we “are.” As part of this effort, we introduced the Stephen R. Wilson Excellence in Safety Award program. Nominated projects are judged based on their safety impact, transferability to other sites and potential for long-term implementation and expansion.

From more than 30 nominations in the inaugural competition, the Ritzville distribution facility submitted the winning project. The team researched and then purchased a new protection system that would get employees to the ground should a fall occur when working at height. Case studies and YouTube videos profiled the Ritzville and four finalist projects in order to share these ideas and best practices with all of our employees.