Safety and Environmental Audits

Sites with ISO14001 or OHSAS18001 certification underwent the audits required to update or maintain such certification. These audits uncovered 10 nonconformities.
The root causes were analyzed and corrective action was promptly taken in response to each issue. The nonconformities were minor issues relating to our management systems, and were not directly linked with environmental pollution or occupational accidents.

FY2011 internal site audits covered 11 sites with the aim of preventing the leakage of untreated wastewater. The audit followed the drainage system, tracking wastewater from where it was generated to the facility where it was treated. The risks were assessed and the effectiveness of measures to mitigate that risk were evaluated.
Monitoring equipment had already been installed, but when a check was done regarding how the equipment functioned when a failure occurred and how the failure could be discovered, the equipment was found to be lacking. New response methods were thus set up as risk mitigation measures. The effectiveness of failure response measures was improved through the audit, but ongoing evaluations are being performed.

• The wastewater drainage route was changed and added to because of construction, but the drainage route map had not been updated.
• What is allowed to be released in wastewater is predefined, but in some locations there was no signage.
• Pipes are cleaned on a regular basis to keep from clogging, but it was unclear if the frequency of cleaning was appropriate.
• If the pump on an intermediate tank breaks down, a switchover to a substitute pump needed to be made, but some workers did not know how to do so.

All sites conducted internal audits of their departments in accordance with their management systems.
Priority areas were determined for each site, and 23 nonconformities were uncovered as a result of conducting internal audits (for the Group in Japan). Corrective action was completed in all cases without delay, and after a follow-up check, it was reported to the managers that the audits were effective for complying with the TAIYO YUDEN Group's policies and goals.

FY2011 saw on-site inspection and audits of 24 operators: one refuse hauler, 21 intermediate processors, and two final disposal companies. As a result, it was confirmed that all currently contracted operators are processing and disposing of waste in an appropriate fashion. Thirty-five items were inspected on-site and permits and other legally required signs attesting to legal compliance were checked; ratings were also given to areas that show the character of each company, such as whether or not environmental activities are being disclosed and employees' attitudes toward visitors (greetings, etc.).