ANSTO further cemented its reputation as a leader in corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting in Australia, with the release today of the science organisation’s third CSR report.
The report outlines environmental performance results such as ANSTO’s achievement of airborne radiation dose results being less than half the organisation’s target maximum, a performance maintained over a decade or more.
The largest airborne dose our nearest neighbours (those living 1.6 km away) received from ANSTO’s operations in 2005-06 amounted to 0.3 percent of the average radiation dose an Australian receives each year from natural radiation sources (including cosmic rays, rocks, even food).
Safety is also under the microscope in the report, with frank discussions of nuclear non-proliferation, contractor safety and radiopharmaceutical production.
“Our increased emphasis on staff safety has paid off this year, with injuries that result in lost work hours cut by over 50 per cent in the April to June quarter,” said ANSTO’s Executive Director, Dr Ian Smith.
The CSR report includes perspectives that are critical of the organisation, and comes after market research identified that 90% of ANSTO stakeholders believe the organisation’s reporting is credible.
“The strong desire for CSR reporting from ANSTO is encouraging, and in response to feedback we have cut the report’s length and included more information on the environmental, economic and social benefits of our science and operations,” explained Dr Smith.
“Our environmental science is making important contributions to areas such as climate change and water management.
“ANSTO continues to build open relationships with the community, particularly in the local area. This year we worked with an increasing number of science teachers and tried to encourage high school students to undertake senior high school science subjects and pursue a career in science,” he said.
The Public Relations Institute of Australia recognised ANSTO’s CSR reporting this year with state and national awards of excellence.
Published: 29/11/2006