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At Birla Carbon, a safe workplace is fundamental to sustainable business performance and operational excellence. Our approach is increasingly focused on leading indicators, which are the activities and behaviors that help prevent incidents, alongside traditional safety metrics.

This includes strengthening hazard identification, risk controls, workforce competency, compliance, and learning from incidents and near misses. By focusing on  the conditions and behaviors that prevent harm, we continue to work toward our vision of zero incidents ensuring that every employee returns home safely every day

Safety Risk Management

Every Birla Carbon site has implemented a three-year safety improvement plan to strengthen critical risk management processes. The plan focuses on improving hazard identification, verifying control effectiveness, enhancing training and competency, and root cause analysis. Regular audits and field engagement help assess how these processes are applied, identify gaps, and develop targeted corrective actions. This approach helps ensure that safety practices are consistently understood, applied, and sustained at each Birla Carbon facility.

Digital Safety

Birla Carbon completed the global adoption of electronic work permitting during FY2026, strengthening permit quality, visibility, and oversight across operations. To support the transition, sites conducted focused training on Control of Hazardous Energies (Lockout/Tagout) for authorized employees at multiple locations. Together, these measures improve procedural discipline and employee capability while creating a more consistent approach to managing critical risk

HSE Support

Birla Carbon expanded its corporate HSE organization with the addition of a Regional HSE Manager for Asia. With dedicated regional HSE resources supporting all areas of the business, sites will have greater access to coaching, technical expertise, and direct support. The expanded network also strengthens knowledge sharing and alignment in the implementation of health and safety programs across manufacturing locations.

Safety Excellence Recognized (2025) | Spain

Birla Carbon Spain’s unwavering commitment to workplace safety was acknowledged through multiple industry honors in 2025. COASHIQ (Business Association for Safety, Hygiene, and the Environment in the Chemical Industry) awarded the site with its highest distinction, the Plaque of Honor, for maintaining zero workplace accidents for three consecutive years, while FEIQUE (Business Federation of the Spanish Chemical Industry) presented the Safety Award 2025 for achieving a zero-accident frequency index during the year.

Together, these recognitions reflect the strength of Birla Carbon’s safety culture and its continued focus on protecting people through proactive safety management and continuous improvement.

The Safe Six: Focusing on Critical Safety Risks

The ‘Safe Six’ identifies six critical risk areas where rigorous controls are essential to preventing Serious Injuries and Fatalities (SIF): Working at Height, Hot Work, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), Mobile Equipment, Confined Space and Electrical Safety.

Employees receive regular training across these areas through online sessions, the Gyanodaya Virtual Campus Learning App, and micro-learning modules. This is reinforced by Stop Work Authority (SWA), which empowers every employee and contractor to stop work when they identify unsafe conditions or behaviors.

The expanded network also strengthens knowledge sharing, focus on SIF potential reduction and alignment in the implementation of health and safety programs across the manufacturing locations.

Safety Performance

In FY2026, Birla Carbon recorded a Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) of 0.33 per 200,000 exposure hours, covering employees and contractors. While slightly higher than the record low rate of 0.31 in FY2025, performance remained strong and was significantly better than industry benchmarks

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Birla Carbon’s DEI strategy focuses on building an inclusive workforce, with particular emphasis on gender and generational diversity. It is built around five priorities:

A business-level Diversity Council oversees the strategy, sponsors global initiatives, monitors implementation across regions, and reviews performance metrics. This governance structure supports accountability and alignment across the organization.

Employee Resource Groups

Two Women-led Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) across Birla Carbon provide support networks and opportunities for professional development. Two global ERGs: Women in Safety & Environment (WISE) and Leading and Inspiring Female Talent (LIFT), support shared learning, professional development and contributions to business success

In EMEA, ERG activities focus on work-life balance through open dialogue, coaching and planned speaker sessions. In Asia, Women in Networking (WIN) supports women through networking, mentorship and collaboration, including fireside chats with senior women leaders and sessions on building strong workplace relationships

International Women’s Luncheon

To mark International Women’s Day 2025, Birla Carbon’s Marietta Corporate office hosted a luncheon recognizing women employees across the organization.
The event opened with remarks from the senior management team, followed by live music and entertainment, creating an opportunity for employees to come together and celebrate the contributions of women.

Other ERG Activities

In EMEA, ERG activities focus on work-life balance through open dialogue, coaching and planned speaker sessions. In Asia, Women in Networking (WIN) supports women through networking, mentorship and collaboration, including fireside chats with senior women leaders and sessions on building strong workplace relationships.

WellVerse

This wellness program supports employee well-being across physical, emotional, social and financial dimensions. Its Wellness Wednesday initiative provides weekly resources such as articles, podcasts, videos, assessments and toolkits, complemented by monthly activities. Employees also have 24/7 access to digital self help tools and professional counseling in local languages, with support extended to their families through the Care Now program.

Human Rights

Birla Carbon is committed to respecting and promoting human rights across its business activities. Our approach is guided by applicable laws, industry standards and the UN Global Compact (UNGC) Ten Principles, of which Birla Carbon is a signatory

This commitment is embedded in our Code of Global Business Ethics and Compliance Standards (COE) and Supply Chain and Procurement Policy, and are supported by policies and procedures covering employees, contractors, vendors, suppliers and other business partners.

These include the Human Rights Policy, Prohibition of Forced Labor and Child Labor and policies addressing Equal Opportunity and Freedom from
Discrimination, Harassment, and Other Abusive Situations.

We maintain due diligence processes to identify and address potential human rights risks and take action where infringements are identified. Birla Carbon is committed to respecting and promoting human rights across its business activities. Our approach is guided by applicable laws, industry standards and the UN Global Compact (UNGC) Ten Principles, of which Birla Carbon is a signatory