‘Our Safety, Health and Environmental policies and management system are designed to ensure that the principles of sustainable development are integrated into every employee’s actions and decisions.’
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NOT BY CHANCE

Applying Our Strengths

OUR POLICIES, SYSTEMS AND METRICS
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e make progress toward our long-term aspirations by applying our distinctive strengths as an organization through a comprehensive and integrated set of policies, systems and metrics. Our Safety, Health and Environmental policies and management system are designed to ensure that the principles of sustainable development are integrated into every employee’s actions and decisions.

Our Policies

Our SH&E policies form the basis for organizational decision-making that supports sustainable development. Our policies are to:

  • Conduct business in a responsible manner by promoting sustainable SH&E solutions that build value for our shareholders, minimize risk, ensure the safety and health of our employees and contractors, reduce environmental impacts from our operations and contribute to the social well-being of the communities we serve.
  • Integrate SH&E management considerations into our strategic business planning and decision-making.
  • Ensure that our business leaders are held accountable for SH&E performance.
  • Meet or exceed applicable SH&E legal requirements, addressing the spirit as well as the letter of the law.
  • Engage key stakeholders to anticipate emerging SH&E issues, respond to legitimate concerns and advocate development of sound corporate policy.
  • Share best practices among Entergy business units to enhance performance and report publicly on our SH&E performance.

Our Systems and Metrics

Through our Safety, Health and Environmental Management System, we monitor, measure and improve performance relative to sustainable development. Entergy’s SHEMS effectively aligns goals, processes and resources across our organization, which enables us to address safety and environmental challenges more consistently and effectively. SHEMS has been implemented by all Entergy business units.

With our SHEMS, we monitor performance in a manner that is consistent with the International Organization for Standardization or ISO 14001 standard for environmental protection as well as the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Voluntary Protection Program for safety. Entergy work sites are encouraged, but not required, to seek certification under either program.

Through our Safety and Environment Audit Program, we conduct audits using independent third-party auditors. The audits assess compliance status and identify innovative ways of conducting business while improving safety and environmental performance. Audit results are reported to management on a regular basis and to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors annually. In 2009, we continued to audit our performance, cycling back once again to focus on our facilities after auditing business units and corporate offices in 2007 and 2008. We expect to increase the number of audits in 2010, particularly our unannounced audits, as a way of improving our safety and environmental performance.

Top Level Policy

Senior leaders set the vision, global strategies, expectations and framework for SH&E performance within their business or function. The clear commitment of leadership to SH&E performance is critical to Entergy’s sustainable growth and long-term success.

Compliance Requirements

With the support of functional experts, managers must understand and communicate applicable SH&E laws and regulations as well as corporate and customer requirements. A solid understanding by employees is fundamental to compliance and helps drive responsible, effective performance.

Strategic Objectives

Management sets SH&E objectives that describe the desired and expected achievements for each business or function. The objectives also set the direction for continuous improvement.

Risk Assessments

Managers must identify and assess the SH&E risks associated with their business or functional activities. Informed risk assessments enable the establishment of effective controls to protect employees, the public and the environment.

Programs and Procedures

Working with SH&E experts, managers and their employees implement processes that comply with SH&E requirements, manage risks and achieve SH&E objectives. The SH&E processes are described in program documents and detailed procedures.

Training

Effective SH&E training is available to all Entergy employees as needed. The training is designed to help individuals understand the SH&E requirements and impact associated with their work. It also can help employees understand the associated risks and the physical conditions and behaviors necessary to control those risks.

Self-Assessment

Teams measure progress against objectives through periodic compliance evaluations. They also measure the effectiveness of the SH&E management system through self-assessments.

Management Review

Periodic and formal review by senior managers of self-assessment results and progress toward established objectives assures effective SH&E performance evaluation. Management review can also highlight any program or process gaps needing closure.