2012 Sustainability Report

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Commitment to Safety

The safety of our employees and the public is our first priority. We strive to continuously improve our efforts to recognize and reduce hazards to ensure a safer work environment in all that we do.

Con Edison continued to demonstrate a commitment to safety in 2012 and we had our best year as measured by our Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Incidence Rate and number of employees injured. Our safety program elements and communications are developed to support all personnel as they work together to help achieve an injury-free workplace and preserve public safety.

The OSHA Incidence Rate is a federal standard for quantifying work-related injuries and illnesses. In 2009, Con Edison of New York committed to a five-year OSHA Incidence Rate goal of 1.50 or lower by 2014. In 2012, the company surpassed its goal of an OSHA Incidence Rate of 2.21 or lower by achieving a best-ever rate of 1.25. Orange and Rockland achieved an OSHA Incidence Rate of 2.19 in 2012, bettering our goal for the year of 3.54 or lower.

The Way We Work (TWWW) Teaming up to build our safety culture

While 2012 was the lowest OSHA Incidence Rate on record, we recognize that there is still work to be done, as six of our 160 injuries were categorized as a “significant high-hazard.” We recognize that we cannot become comfortable with achieving strong OSHA numbers, but must continue to strive for a zero-accident workplace.

In 2012, we continued to focus on the concept of enhancing situational awareness, encouraging our employees to be aware of their surroundings, ask questions, comply with rules, and identify risks and hazards before and during the job. We also began to place a stronger focus on the concept of human performance factors, an approach that many industries, including nuclear power and the military, have used to help reduce their safety incidents. Along with these efforts, we encouraged our employees to complete thorough Job Site Safety Exchanges through two-way dialogue, provided development of professional expertise in the areas of safety and industrial hygiene, and enhanced analysis of accident and incident trends.

At Orange and Rockland, a special safety team made up of union and management employees continues to reinforce a strong safety culture and address the core causes of accidents and injuries. The team has implemented various program elements including field observations and visits by safety team members, ad hoc committees to address specific safety concerns, and truck committees which address the safe operation of larger fleet vehicles.

Our safety programs encourage our employees to protect themselves and their teammates from hazards on the job.