Maintain a safe work environment with a goal of zero accidents. Provide training and career opportunities that allow employees to develop to their fullest potential. Increase the diversity of our workforce so that it is more representative of the communities in which we operate. Creating a Safe Workplace Praxair’s global safety record is five times better than the U.S. industry average and three times better than the U.S. chemical industry average. In 2002, our global recordable injuries and illnesses rate was 0.93 per 100 employees (down 15% from 2001), and our lost-workday-case rate was 0.13 per 100 employees. Two-thirds of Praxair’s sites achieve our goal of zero accidents and zero injuries in any given year. However, the tragic loss of three employees in work and transport-related incidents in 2002 underscores the need for constant vigilance and the avoidance of even the potential for injury. In 2003, we launched a new worldwide initiative focused on operational discipline to promote rigorous adherence to safety policies and practices worldwide. Developing Our People Praxair believes that giving our employees the opportunity to develop technical, managerial and leadership skills prepares our company to meet future business challenges, while helping our employees to reach their fullest potential. Corporate courses include segments on critical decision-making, working with financial data, and managing internal and external business relationships. More than 150 of our senior managers have participated in our intensive leadership program. This is a multi-month-long experience, where participants from around the world solve real business problems for Praxair using cross-border teams, innovative communications methods and action-based learning.     Praxair provides tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing job-related degrees. In 2002, almost 1,000 employees received nearly $1.5 million in reimbursements, with most employees receiving either a technical degree or a master's degree in business administration. Company-sponsored courses assist our employees in gaining English language proficiency, which is a requirement for advancement to a senior management level.