At Merck, we recognize that leadership in safety practices helps us achieve our strategy for growth. We are dedicated to protecting the safety and well-being of our employees and the communities in which we operate.

Merck uses the U.S.-based Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) injury and illness record-keeping system to report and investigate all work-related injuries and illnesses experienced by employees worldwide. Merck tracks and measures itself against three key metrics: Recordable Incident Rate (RIR), Lost-Time Incident Rate (LTIR), and Lost-Time Day Rate (LTDR).

In 2006, Merck experienced 710 recordable injuries and illnesses (1.11 RIR), 271 injuries involving lost-time days (0.42 LTIR), and 5,100 lost-time workdays (7.96 LTDR). Safety rates for the period 2004 to 2006 are noted below:

Between 2004 and 2006, Merck experienced a 32% reduction in RIR, a 16% reduction in LTIR and a 24% reduction in LTDR.

To learn more about Merck's safety performance, click on the links below:

• Fleet Safety Performance
• Construction Safety: Best in Class