Assurance is the process whereby facility managers and nutrient presidents confirm that processes are in place and working effectively in order to manage the key controls for, and major risks to, sustainable business performance. This includes accurate measurement of and continuous reduction of exposure. This process is supplemented routinely by external assessments and audits.

SHE ASSURANCE ADDRESSES DELIVERY OF:

• PotashCorp's SHE Commitment;
• PotashCorp's SHE Expectations; and,
• Legal compliance with SHE rules, regulations and permit conditions.

SHE ASSURANCE IS A CONTINUOUS REVIEW PROCESS INVOLVING REGULAR DIALOGUES ABOUT:

• Supporting assurance audits, and external assessments;
• Identifying and managing SHE risks; and,
• Evaluating SHE performance trends.

These are documented in a formal SHE Report.

KEY FEATURES OF SHE ASSURANCE ARE:

• Management accountability for establishing effective processes to deliver the SHE Expectations;
• Effective review processes involving assurance audits, annual SHE self assessments as well as external independent assessments every three years; and,
• Plans to improve performance and address areas requiring attention.

KEY FEATURES ARE SUPPORTED BY:

• Regular evidence that major risks and key internal controls are being actively managed at the appropriate level;
• Regular evidence of effective implementation of processes and procedures; and,
• Regular evidence of continuously improving SHE performance.

HOW THE PROCESS WORKS IN PRACTICE:

• Facility management holds regular dialogues with its Division President about SHE performance trends, progress towards SHE targets and the management of major risks.
• Facility management commits to assessing and reviewing programs relevant to the risk profile of the activity. The major part of this program involves ongoing assessment.
• Periodic independent internal (using SHE resources from other PotashCorp locations) and external (using consultants) environmental compliance audits and internal, independent SHE assessments (using SHE resources from other PotashCorp locations) are conducted at regular intervals to provide overview and credibility.
• Facility management and SHE managers prepare an annual SHE Report to the Division President and Vice President, Safety, Health and Environment. This takes the form of a statement certifying the extent of compliance with legal requirements and PotashCorp's SHE Commitment, supported by evidence of:

-	effective management of major risks;
-	effective implementation of SHE Expectations;
-	performance against agreed targets, objectives and action plans; and,
-	documented Action Plans for closure of all outstanding items from SHE self and external assessments.

The corporate SHE Department issues guidance on the annual SHE Assurance Report format and the reporting timetable. The SHE Department will annually prepare an overall summary of submissions to the Chief Executive Officer outlining achievements and significant areas for action. The report not only documents recent SHE performance but also outlines future assurance and corrective action plans.

SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The SHE Committee of the Board of Directors monitors PotashCorp's progress in meeting its SHE commitment and its compliance with SHE rules, regulations and permit conditions. The Committee:

• Periodically reviews the SHE polices of the Corporation and, as appropriate, recommends changes in such policies to the Board of Directors or Management
• Receives and reviews, not less than annually, written reports from management on the status of compliance with the SHE policies of the Corporation and on compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements;
• Receives and reviews, not less than annually, reports from Management on any material non-compliance with SHE policies of the Corporation or any material non-compliance with any applicable regulatory requirement; and,
• Reviews other SHE related matters as the Committee may consider suitable or the Board of Directors may specifically direct.