Milliken Live Oak Plant Awarded OSHA STAR

LaGrange, GA, January 10--Milliken & Company's Live Oak Plant has been designated a "STAR" Site in workplace safety and health by the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Jonathan L. Snare, OSHA Acting Assistant Secretary, presented the award to associates at the plant today. He was assisted by Cindy Coe Laseter, Regional Administrator for OSHA Region IV. "Approval for the Star Voluntary Protection Program is a strong endorsement of the continued dedication demonstrated by Milliken and its employees to workplace safety and health," said Snare. "The programs developed at this complex can serve as models for other companies." Today's certification means 100% of Milliken & Company's U.S. manufacturing locations have received the distinguished VPP Star designation, an accomplishment which ranks Milliken 4th in the total number of sites in the entire nation. As of December 2004 there were only 1,129 certified VPP STAR sites out of over 6.5 million potential worksites in the United States. Milliken holds claim to 44 of those certified sites. Roger Milliken, chairman & CEO of Milliken, was on hand to personally thank Live Oak associates for their commitment to safety, saying it was important for the leadership of the company to support those who own the company's safety process. Milliken takes pride in the fact that Milliken associates, those who are performing the on-the-job work, have ownership of planning and implementing the safety processes. "I would like to express my personal gratitude and thanks to the members of the Live Oak team for all of their hard work and dedication displayed in earning this prestigious award," stated Russell Grizzle, president of Milliken's Floorcovering Division. "Ten years ago this month, we mourned the total loss of this plant to fire and at the same time celebrated the fact that not one of our associates was injured. What a testimonial to safety. Your dedication to safety has continued and culminates in our celebration today. Thank you for taking ownership of Milliken's safety process and making safety our company's number one core value," Grizzle told those gathered. Milliken has more VPP Star sites than any other company in Georgia, with Live Oak being the 16th Milliken plant certified in Georgia. There are only 58 VPP Star sites in the entire state. "OSHA VPP Star" is the nation's highest recognition of worksites with comprehensive, successful safety and health management systems. It is the Labor Department's vehicle to recognize employers who voluntarily exceed the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act in providing their workers a safe and healthy work-site. Participation in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program involves a true partnership between government, labor, and private workplaces. The government offers expertise and cooperation for employers willing to undertake the needed steps to reach VPP certifications. Their workplaces agree to demonstrate strong management commitment to safety (including active associate involvement), assess hazards in the workplace, maintain a system of hazard identification and control, and provide effective safety and health training to all associates. Plant associates benefit by knowing that they are working in a safer workplace.

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