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In the News Oct. 7, 2001
Ashland Inc. Honors
Excellence in Environment, Health and Safety
COVINGTON, Ky., Sept. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- For the seventh consecutive
year, Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) has honored a diverse group of
individuals and projects with its Chairman's Challenge Awards for
demonstrating excellence in environment, health and safety
practices.
Paul W. Chellgren, Ashland Inc. chairman and chief executive
officer, presented the awards at a luncheon in conjunction with an
Ashland Inc. board of directors meeting held in Lexington, Ky. James
R. Boyd, senior vice president and group operating officer, and
Glenn W. Hammer, vice president of environment, health and safety
for the company joined Chellgren in presenting the awards.
"Corporations are known for recognizing financial achievements or
operating achievements," Chellgren noted. "It is equally important
to recognize excellence in the areas of environment, health and
safety. Projects like these provide a model of excellence that can,
and should, be emulated by others. Moreover, these awards
demonstrate, each year, that our employees really are 'the who in
how things work'," Chellgren concluded.
A selection committee from industry and conservation groups reviewed
70 nominations from across the company. Ashland Inc. will donate
$1,000 for each of the 12 winning projects or individuals to a
non-profit organization chosen by the winners.
Outstanding projects or actions were recognized in eight categories.
The categories and 2001 Chairman's Challenge Award winners are:
* Acts of Heroism.
Three heroic actions by employees were recognized. Milton Bowman
III, an APAC, Inc. employee in Virginia, Scott Glusenkamp and Bobby
Ogden, APAC, Inc. employees in Georgia, and Scott Wieland, a
Kentucky-based Valvoline employee, were involved in situations where
human life was saved.
* Community Activities.
Two employees were honored in this category. Percy Lidback, a
Florida- based Ashland Distribution Company employee in the Fine
Ingredients Division, works to improve the lives of poor children in
Guatemala. A native of Peru, he is involved in programs to improve
healthcare, agriculture and educational opportunities in a land
where many children do not continue their education beyond the sixth
grade. Valvoline's Donald Zahn, operations manager for the Valvoline
Pittsburgh packaging plant, is involved in many aspects of the
community. He has raised money for a new YMCA, supporting Penn
State's Beaver campus, and serving on the boards of two local
chambers of commerce. Most recently, the 41-year veteran of Ashland
has dedicated himself to raising funds for McGuire Memorial Home, a
home for severely disabled children.
* Conservation/Habitat Enhancement.
David Roling, president of APAC Missouri's Masters Jackson division,
challenged his employees to volunteer their off-duty time to help
finish the construction of a 30-mile nature trail in the
Springfield, MO. area. Nine employees have donated their time, and
APAC has donated the equivalent of their hourly salaries to Ozark
Greenways, a nonprofit organization, dedicated to creating nature
trails.
* Distinctive Achievement.
There were two winners in this category. Joseph Thomas, a recently
retired APAC, Inc. employee from Tulsa, OK was honored along with
his spouse, Martha, a nurse's aide at a Tulsa hospital. Although
both are in their 60s, they adopted a 7-year old, Kevonte, who has
suffered through two brain surgeries and autism. The second
distinctive achievement winner was Tim Drefahl, an employee of the
General Polymers division in the Ashland Distribution Company.
Drefahl has served as a volunteer youth leader for Riotsquad
Ministries for the past four years, helping junior high school
students avoid the dangers of drugs and gangs in California. In
addition to dedicating about 8 hours a week to the youth ministry,
he also devoted 10 days of his vacation last year to leading youth
group outings, including hiking or whitewater rafting.
* Pollution Prevention.
James Vondracek works in the corporate environment, health and
safety offices in Dublin, Ohio, so his recognition for developing a
way to reduce pentachlorophenol (PCP) waste disposal costs and
instituting an innovative technology for cleaning contaminated soil
and groundwater would just seem to be a part of his job. But
Vondracek's idea was a first, and in partnership with the Wisconsin
Dept. of Natural Resources, Ashland undertook the nation's largest
tree remediation project, where nearly 500 hybrid poplar trees were
planted for solids and groundwater. The trees absorb contaminates
through their roots and convert them into harmless by-products. He
was also recognized for developing a beneficial method of reusing
PCP waste material, whereby it is feedstock for another company, and
not being disposed as hazardous waste.
* Product Stewardship.
The employees of the environmental, health and safety department at
the Central Missouri Division of APAC, Inc., located in Columbia,
MO., teach fifth graders at Fairview Elementary how to turn
household items into model bridges, plumbing systems and even
skyscrapers. The overlying theme for all the classes is to emphasize
the importance of safety practices at work, and environmental
responsibility.
* Safety and Emergency Management.
Four employees of the Ashland Specialty Chemical Company's Drew
Industrial Division "saved the day" when an Oct. 2000 coal slurry
impoundment spilled 250 million gallons, threatening the water
intakes at Marathon Ashland Petroleum's Cattletsburg, Ky. refinery
with fouled water for its essential plant cooling system. Tim
Svarczkopf, Larry Balding, Allen Boggs and Jeffrey Neill stepped in
to avert disaster, and in the process have developed a computer
forecasting model to predict whether fall and winter storms might
stir up remaining coal sediment in the river.
* Wellness and Health.
Georgia-based APAC, Inc. worker Ann Allmon, makes a habit of loading
her blue Ford Explorer with blood testing equipment, and two nurses,
and makes the rounds offering free blood screenings to APAC
employees at job sites, quarries and offices throughout Georgia.
Over the past three years, her tests have detected seven cases of
prostate cancer, five cases of dangerously high blood pressure,
three cases of diabetes, two cases of iron deficiency and one heart
blockage. Although Allmon sometimes has to rise as early as 3 a.m.,
she says the rewards more than compensate for the inconvenience.
Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a Fortune 250 company providing
products, services, and customer solutions throughout the world. Our
businesses include road construction and materials, lubricants,
car-care products, specialty chemicals, chemical and plastics
distribution and transportation fuels. Through the dedication of our
employees, we are "The Who In How Things Work(TM)." Find us at
www.ashland.com
http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X80354862
SOURCE Ashland Inc.
CO: Ashland Inc.
ST: Kentucky, Virginia, Georgia, Oklahoma, Missouri, Ohio
IN: OIL ENV HEA
SU: AWD
09/19/2001 08:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
Lockwood Greene
Subsidiary OSHA Safety Award Recipient
SPARTANBURG, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 19, 2001--Lockwood Greene
(www.lg.com) today announced that J.A. Jones E&C, its construction
arm, has been recognized as an OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP)
Star award recipient for its Mt. Storm, West Virginia Flue Gas
Desulfurization (Dominion Power) power project.
This award is in recognition of the high safety standards throughout
the project's duration. There are currently fewer than 25 active
construction sites nationwide that have earned the Federal OSHA VPP
Star award.
"This award is reflective of total commitment and involvement from
all the project team members," said Randy Ballard, Project Manager.
Stan Elliott, OSHA's Area Director, will present the award to J.A.
Jones E&C at a ceremonial luncheon to be held Saturday, October 6.
Area and state political dignitaries are expected to attend, as well
as the entire project team and key corporate executives from J.A.
Jones, Lockwood Greene and Dominion Power.
"Randy and his project team began to pursue the VPP Star status
about 2 years ago, and led the entire project team to totally commit
to the process with the expectations that they would make it
happen," said Corporate Director of Safety, Michael Cain. Once the
VPP application was accepted, the project team was required to
administer a safety program using industry 'best practices' for a
minimum of 1 year.
The project then faced a rigorous 3-day site evaluation by an OSHA
VPP evaluation team. "This evaluation included field inspections of
all construction operations, a thorough review of safety-related
documentation, and sufficient interviews of workers, management team
members and client representatives to verify compliance with the
stringent VPP objectives," said Peter Brown, OSHA Region III VPP
Manager.
The company received notification of the award from John Henshaw,
Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Labor, who stated, "Your
designation as a VPP site is a testament to the sustained excellence
in all areas of your safety and health management system." The VPP
program was developed in 1982 by OSHA to encourage a cooperative
relationship between labor, management and OSHA, and to recognize
exemplary performance in safety and health program management. It is
the highest form of recognition that the federal government can
provide an employer for achieving safety excellence. Further
detailed information on this program can be found at www.osha.gov,
and then word search "VPP" for additional information.
Lockwood Greene is a global business partner for engineering and
construction serving manufacturing, process, power and institutional
clients. Founded in 1832 with headquarters in Spartanburg, SC/USA,
the company employs more than 3,000 professionals in nearly 40
offices worldwide. As an operating unit of J.A. Jones, Inc.,
Lockwood Greene also provides the entire life cycle spectrum of
services from project development through operations and maintenance
services.
CONTACT:
Lockwood Greene, Spartanburg
Brian Mershon, 864/599-4508
KEYWORD: SOUTH CAROLINA NORTH CAROLINA WEST VIRGINIA MARYLAND
BW2145 SEP 19,2001
6:08 PACIFIC
9:08 EASTERN
Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services Announces $1
Million for Worker Safety and Health Grants
LANSING, Mich., Sept. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Director Kathleen Wilbur
today announced that the Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry
Services (CIS) has awarded 17 Consultation Education and Training (CET)
Grants totaling $1 million to promote workplace safety and health.
"The safety and health of our workers is vital to our state's
overall well-being," said Wilbur. "These grants are an excellent
investment by the state to help employers protect their most
valuable asset-their workers."
The CET grant program is part of the CIS Bureau of Safety and
Regulation (BSR), which is responsible for administering the
Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act (MIOSHA). The MIOSHA
program is dedicated to increasing workplace safety and health.
The bureau's CET Division provides direct staff assistance to
employers in a variety of formats. The CET Grant program provides
additional options for safety and health education and training to
employers and employees.
"These CET grants will help employers identify problem areas and
find practical solutions," said BSR Director Doug Earle.
The 17 statewide projects will emphasize prevention strategies to
reduce injuries and illnesses. Several of the grants will focus on
ergonomics issues, particularly in the health care field. One
grantee will develop a CD for emerging safety and health issues in
the plastics industry.
Sixteen of the projects will focus on training programs. This year a
research grant was approved which will measure and quantify the
average noise level exposures of employees in the wood products
industries. This research grant relates directly to one of MIOSHA's
strategic plan performance goals: to reduce noise induced hearing
loss by 15 percent.
Many of the grants will focus on the five high-hazard industries
identified by the MIOSHA strategic plan: construction, nursing &
personal care facilities, metal forgings and stampings
manufacturers, fabricated structural metal products companies, and
the meat products industry. Most of the programs funded will develop
educational materials and provide training on a wide range of safety
and health services. Other grants include: workplace violence,
safety and health training for workers affected by new technology,
fall protection, safe work habits and hazard recognition, and health
issues in the construction industry.
CET grants are awarded on a competitive basis to management/employer
groups, labor/employee organizations, and not-for-profit
organizations, such as universities, hospitals and service agencies.
FY 2002 Consultation Education and Training (CET) Grant Projects
1. Alpena Community College will conduct safety training seminars
for targeted key employers and employees in four high-hazard
occupations. They are manufacturing, construction, health services
industries, and maintenance, custodial, secretarial and support
staff in publicly funded educational institutions. The program is
designed to train people in the five-county sparsely populated area
served by Alpena Community College.
2. The Associated General Contractors will provide on-site training
on health issues in the construction industry. In addition, they
will develop an informative Construction Health Newsletter, which
will be distributed to top managers and safety directors to alert
them to the health problems within the industry. The topics will
include respiratory protection, hearing protection, lead hazards,
asbestos hazards, silica hazards, heat stress and cold stress.
3. The Center for Workplace Violence Prevention will provide
training to small business owners and employees, human resource
managers, field personnel in the following areas: Personal safety
strategies; early warning signs of anger and aggression and early
prevention, de-escalation and personal safety strategies; and
managing high-risk situations such as terminations, downsizing, bomb
threats, school violence, etc.
4. Eastern Michigan University will provide a two-day seminar on
Fall Protection and Rescue from Heights. Day one will be a
Comprehensive Fall Protection training seminar which will provide
training for workers whose health and safety is threatened by the
possibility of a fall from a height of six feet or more. Day two
will provide the rescue team with the necessary knowledge,
hands-on-training and equipment needed to rescue a fellow worker who
may have fallen.
5. Ferris State University will develop a training program for
entry- level employees in plastic injection molding facilities. The
self-paced CD- ROM training program will be produced on a standard
computer compact disc that can be run on most low-end computers with
a CD player. The CD-ROM program will be developed with two
individual portions: 1) Material Handling for Plastic Injection
Molding, and 2) Plastics Injection Molding Press Operator Safety.
6. MARO Employment and Training Association will provide
occupational safety and health training for new workers from special
populations. These would include welfare recipients referred to Work
First! programs, students with disabilities in special education
school-to-work transition programs and persons with severe
disabilities referred through MEDC Rehabilitation Services and
Community Mental Health Service Providers. Training will also be
conducted for the agencies providing employment services and to
employers hiring new workers from special populations.
7. Michigan AFL-CIO will provide both generic and customized
workplace safety and health training to new employees and incumbent
workers affected by new technology and new work processes, equipment
or operation. Training topics will include back injuries, lifting
techniques, workplace hazards and recognition, right-to-know and
hazardous substances. In cases where generic training does not meet
the needs of an employer, staff will meet with the employer and
identify worksite needs and issues and then will customize a
training program to meet their needs.
8. Michigan Chiropractic Council facilitators will provide back
safety and ergonomics training to workers in the nursing home,
manufacturing and construction industries. Prior to conducting the
on-site training, the facilitators will observe and conduct an
on-site evaluation of the workplace. The WorkSafe program is
designed to increase employee awareness of the workplace safety
issues related to back and other ergonomics injuries.
9. The Michigan Farm Bureau will provide training that specifically
targets agricultural employers, managers, service providers and
owners. The project will develop and provide realistic hazard
identification guidance and minimization practices suitable for
owners, employees and affiliated industry personnel utilizing
computer and DVD formats. Hosting facilities will be provided with a
pre-seminar on-site survey to determine current safe work practices
and possible hazards to be addressed prior to the public survey.
10. Michigan Health and Hospital Association will continue to
implement an ergonomics-related prevention program tailored to
individual nursing and personal care facilities. The project will
focus on back injury, but will also be designed to address shoulder
strain, carpal tunnel syndrome, pinched nerves, etc. On-site
ergonomic evaluations will be provided along with the training of
staff personnel.
11. Michigan Road Builders Association will provide interactive
style presentations, workshops and courses for contractors,
management, supervisory and line workers. The training will include:
Heavy/Highway Contractor Safety Administrator Course, Heavy/Highway
Contractor Update, Bridge Contractor Safety seminar "Safety Day"
Presentations, Technical Assistance and a Quarterly Safety and
Health Newsletter.
12. Michigan State University/Labor Program Service will provide and
deliver a series of 24-hour training programs directed towards
contractors, their employees, and fire service personnel who may be
exposed to the hazards of trenching and excavation operations. An
8-hour Awareness and Recognition program will enhance the ability of
construction workers and fire fighters to recognize the dangers
involved in these operations and to take the necessary steps to
protect employees from potential hazards.
13. Michigan Technological University/Bay de Noc Community College
will provide statewide training and services for the wood harvesting
(logging) and the wood using industry with special emphasis on
sawmills and secondary wood manufacturing. The safety training
program will offer on-site presentations to both employees and
employers with emphasis on employee awareness of hazards, personal
protective equipment, chain saw safety, safe work habits, employee
safety responsibility, sound ergonomic practices and proper lockout
procedures.
14. North Central Michigan College will provide occupational safety
and health training to employers and employees in seven remote
counties served by North Central Michigan College. Five of these
counties are in the northern Lower Peninsula and two are in the
Upper Peninsula. They will design, develop and deliver targeted
safety training for nursing and personal care facilities, building
construction and plastic industries.
15. PASSES will conduct four-hour workshops in four high schools in
Wayne County. During the four-hour course, students will be trained
in hazard recognition, workplace size-up and the use of protective
equipment. The main focus will be on five high-risk areas: chemical
handling, lifting, working alone, operating equipment and on-the-job
rights with special emphasis on the construction industry. Prior to
conducting their workshops, they will train teachers
(train-the-trainer) from Wayne, Oakland, Berrien, Monroe and Macomb
County high schools and provide them with their instructional
materials. The teachers will then go back to their classrooms and
present the four-hour workshops.
16. The Safety Council for West Michigan will provide training
programs to nursing homes and long-term care facilities on the
following topics: lifting safety, proper use of lifting equipment,
bloodborne pathogens and tuberculosis, dealing with aggressive
behavior and personal protective equipment (PPE). The Safety Council
will also offer technical assistance to organizations that need
support in developing a written safety and health program.
17. Bay de Noc Community College will measure and quantify the
average noise level exposures of employees in the wood products
industries. Dr. Michael Stewart, Professor, Central Michigan
University, will be the project's lead investigator. Dr. Stewart is
an audiologist and has been involved in hearing-related research for
nearly 20 years. The data will be used to (1) establish more
accurate industry standards for hearing protection; (2) assist in
the creation of more comprehensive hearing conservation programs;
and (3) increase worker awareness of noise level hazards. This
research grant relates directly to MIOSHA's strategic plan and
performance goal 1.1C, to reduce three of the most prevalent types
of injuries and causes of illnesses by 15% (noise induced hearing
loss/standard threshold shift).
MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT - Click Here
http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X74477182
SOURCE Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services
CO: Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services
ST: Michigan
IN: CST MAC HEA AGR PAP
SU: LBR
09/19/2001 13:04 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
Ryder System, Inc. to Receive National Safety Council's Green
Cross for Safety Medal
Business Editors
MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 24, 2001--Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE:R),
a leader in supply chain and transportation management solutions
worldwide, today announced that the National Safety Council (NSC)
has selected Ryder and its president and chief executive officer,
Gregory T. Swienton, to receive the Council's 2002 Green Cross for
Safety Medal for exemplary commitment to workplace safety and
corporate citizenship. Swienton is the first supply chain and
transportation industry executive to receive the honor.
"The National Safety Council is extremely pleased and excited to
honor Ryder and its 33,000 employees with our Green Cross for Safety
Medal," said Alan C. McMillan, NSC president and chief executive
officer. "Every company's chief executive would do well to follow
Greg Swienton's lead. Ryder's commitment to safety is outstanding in
the supply chain and transportation industry. It represents the
highest level of dedication to worker safety and health,
environmental stewardship and community service.
"Ryder has a superlative record of providing a company-wide safety
culture," McMillan continued. "The NSC believes that an overall
commitment to making safety a core value sets Ryder apart. We
encourage all companies to adopt similar policies."
Since joining Ryder in 1999, Swienton has identified safety as one
of the Company's top five goals. He has championed efforts to ensure
that safety is integrated into all aspects of the business process.
He also raised the visibility and importance of safety in the
organization by creating the position of Vice President for Safety,
Health and Security.
"Assuring the safety and health of our employees, customers,
suppliers and contractors is a critical focus and a core competency
at Ryder," Swienton said. "Safety is unquestionably the right focus
for our employees and our customers. Ryder has a philosophy that
considers no accident acceptable and that all accidents are
preventable."
Ryder's Safety and Health team is one of the largest organizations
of its kind in the supply chain and transportation industry. It
consists of individuals with expertise in transportation and
industrial safety and security, industrial hygiene, program
management and ISO process development.
The Green Cross for Safety Medal, a large bronze medallion embossed
with the National Safety Council's logo, will be presented to
Swienton at the NSC's annual fundraising dinner in May 2002 at the
Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.
Swienton earned a bachelor of business administration degree in
marketing from Chicago's Loyola University and a master's in
business administration with an emphasis in finance from the
University of Chicago. Before joining Ryder in June 1999 as its
president and chief operating officer, Swienton compiled more than
20 years experience in the transportation industry with Burlington
Northern Santa Fe Corporation and DHL Worldwide Express. He became
president and chief executive officer at Ryder in November 2000.
About Ryder
Ryder provides a continuum of leading-edge logistics, supply chain
and transportation management solutions worldwide. Ryder's product
offerings range from full-service leasing, commercial rental and
programmed maintenance of vehicles to integrated services such as
dedicated contract carriage and carrier management. Additionally,
Ryder offers comprehensive supply chain solutions, consulting, lead
logistics management services and e-Business solutions that support
customers' entire supply chains, from sourcing of inbound raw
materials through distribution and delivery of finished goods. Ryder
serves customer needs throughout North America, in Latin America,
Europe and Asia.
For the fifth consecutive year, Ryder was ranked among Fortune's
Most Admired Companies in the publication's 2001 survey of corporate
reputations. Ryder has consistently ranked among the top five in its
industry category since 1997. Forbes named Ryder "Best in
Transportation and Logistics" as one of its "Magnetic 40" listing of
companies that "create a network of partnerships that can spur
growth, innovation and most important, serve customers better."
InternetWeek named Ryder one of the top 100 U.S. companies for its
effectiveness in using the Internet to achieve tangible business
benefits. For the fourth consecutive year, Inbound Logistics
recognized Ryder in 2001 as the top third-party logistics provider.
Ryder's stock is a component of the Dow Jones Transportation Average
and the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. With 2000 revenue of $5.34
billion, Ryder was ranked 333rd on the Fortune 500 list and 319th on
the Forbes 500 in 2001. For more information on Ryder System, Inc.,
visit http://www.ryder.com.
About the NSC
The National Safety Council (NSC) is a not-for-profit,
non-governmental, international public-service organization
dedicated to protecting life and promoting health. NSC's 37,500-plus
members include businesses, labor organizations, schools, public
agencies, private groups and individuals. Founded in 1913, NSC's
scope has expanded to include highway, community and recreational
safety, as well as occupational and environmental health. The NSC
estimates that 4.2 million lives have been saved through improved
safety practices since the Council was established. For additional
information about the NSC, visit the Council's web site at http://www.nsc.org.
--30--eg/mi*
CONTACT: Ryder System, Inc., Miami
Lisa Brumfield, 305/500-3668
David Bruce, 305/500-4999
or
National Safety Council
Joe Larkin, 404/222-5312
KEYWORD: FLORIDA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SOFTWARE TRANSPORTATION MEDICAL
SOURCE: Ryder System, Inc.
Today's News On The Net - Business Wire's full file on the Internet
with Hyperlinks to your home page.
URL: http://www.businesswire.com
BW0566 SEP 24,2001
7:00 PACIFIC
10:00 EASTERN
Work Safety is Priority: Background Resources, Inc. Offers Free
Brochure On Pre-employment Screening
CHICAGO, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Screening job applicants and
current employees is a must. Look at these statistics about
applicants: 11% have a criminal record, 19% lied about their
criminal records, 23% have used other names, 29% lived at addresses
not listed on their application, 6% supplied false Social Security
Numbers and 25% misrepresented their prior employment.
Criminal background checks are well on their way to becoming a Human
Resource necessity. "We have two objectives: to tell you what the
applicant did not and to keep the employees safe," explains Kelly
Bodnar, President of Background Resources, Inc. "Thorough background
screening of job applicants has become priority, knowing that you
are safe at work, with co-workers, is a number one concern."
Because so many people misrepresent their background and
credentials, it is important to do at least a little checking to see
if what the applicant says about his or her background is true. A
lot of employers don't do any checking, and they often regret that
decision.
In Texas a woman raped by a door-to-door salesman is holding the
employer liable. The Texas Supreme Court ruled that "the Kirby Co.
should have required its distributor to do a background check before
hiring salesman Mickey Carter, who had previous complaints of sexual
misconduct."
OSHA reports that more than 1,000 US workers are victims of homicide
at work each year. Workplace Violence Research Institute claims that
each day 16,400 threats are made, 723 workers attacked and 43,800
harassed.
Negligent hiring cases are successful when it is established that
the employee had a prior record of serious crime. The only defense
to a charge of negligent hiring is having checked the person's
criminal record.
Criminal background searches determine prior felony and misdemeanor
records and are available by county, metro area, statewide or in
Federal Court. Companies like Background Resources, Inc. can save
companies a lot of money while putting co-workers at ease. It lets
them know that their employer is providing a safe work environment.
Pre-employment screening might also uncover information left out of
the application or interview. These checks are supplemental tools
used for selecting the best employee for the job; keeping in mind
that when utilizing a third party it helps evaluate applicants more
accurately and more objectively.
A free brochure on pre-employment screening is available through
Background Resources, Inc. at (800) 775-6408, or online at
www.backgroundresources.com .
MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT - Click Here
http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X71895446
SOURCE Background Resources, Inc.
CO: Background Resources, Inc.
ST: Illinois
IN: AIR HEA EDU FIN ARO
SU: LBR
09/24/2001 14:15 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
Airgas Acquires Seven Gas Distribution Locations from Air Liquide
America Corporation; Agrees to Sell Two Nitrous Oxide Plants and
Related Business
RADNOR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 3, 2001--Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG)
announced that it has purchased seven retail operations based in
Arizona from Air Liquide America Corporation. These operations have
annual sales of nearly $10 million in welding hardgoods and packaged
gases and include five locations in Arizona, one in New Mexico, and
one in California.
The two companies also have entered into an agreement for Air
Liquide America Corporation to acquire two of Airgas' nitrous oxide
production facilities and related business. The operations located
in Donora, PA and Richmond, CA generate less than $10 million in
annual sales. Airgas is selling the two facilities and related
business to address certain regulatory concerns. Airgas will retain
four nitrous oxide production facilities, which will meet its needs
as a major producer and distributor of nitrous oxide. These
production facilities in Cantonment, FL; Galena, KS; Maitland,
Ontario; and Yazoo City, MS, are part of the Airgas Nitrous Oxide
business unit in the Gas Operations division.
Airgas Chairman and CEO Peter McCausland commented: "Both
transactions are consistent with our strategic direction. With the
required divestiture behind us, we can focus on our retained nitrous
oxide business. The retail operations we are acquiring will add to
our national footprint and give us a stronger presence in Arizona.
We welcome our new associates and we wish all the best to the people
working at the two facilities that we are selling."
The nitrous oxide sale is subject to FTC approval and is expected to
close in the coming quarter. The net effect of both transactions to
earnings is expected to be neutral.
About Airgas
Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG) is the largest distributor of industrial,
medical and specialty gases and welding equipment and one of the
largest distributors of safety supplies in the United States. Airgas'
integrated distributor network consists of approximately 700
locations, including branches, packaged gas fill plants,
distribution centers, and inbound and outbound telemarketing
operations. For more information on Airgas, please visit
www.airgas.com.
About Air Liquide
Air Liquide is a global provider of industrial, specialty and
medical gases and related services. By staying at the vanguard of
technological leadership, Air Liquide provides its customers all
over the world with new products, services and solutions. Founded in
1902, Air Liquide has 125 subsidiaries in 60 countries and employs
more than 30,000 people. Total sales in 2000 totaled 8.1 billion
euros with sales outside of France accounting for 77%. Air Liquide
is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange and is a member of the CAC 40
Index (Euroclear 12 007).
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that are forward-looking, as
that term is defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995 or by the Securities and Exchange Commission in its rules,
regulations and releases. These statements include, but are not
limited to, statements regarding: the Company's pending transactions
with Air Liquide America Corporation, including the expected closing
in the coming quarter; the Company's future needs for nitrous oxide;
the Company's plan to build a stronger presence in Arizona; and the
expectation that the net effect of both transactions will be neutral
to earnings. Airgas intends that such forward-looking statements be
subject to the safe harbors created thereby. All forward-looking
statements are based on current expectations regarding important
risk factors and should not be regarded as a representation by the
Company or any other person that the results expressed therein will
be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking
statement include the Company's ability to successfully complete the
transactions with Air Liquide America Corporation and to integrate
the acquisition; increased expenses related to the acquisition; the
insufficiency of the Company's facilities to satisfy its nitrous
oxide needs; increased cost pressures; an economic downturn
(including adverse changes in the specific markets for our
products); increased competition; and other factors described in the
Company's reports, including Form 10-K dated March 31, 2000 and Form
10-Q dated June 30, 2001, filed by the Company with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT:
Airgas, Inc.
Investor Contact
Melissa Nigro, 610/902-6206
melissa.nigro@airgas.com
or
Airgas, Inc.
Media Contact
James Ely, 610/902-6010
jim.ely@airgas.com
KEYWORD: PENNSYLVANIA NEW MEXICO ARIZONA CALIFORNIA
BW2399 OCT 03,2001
14:14 PACIFIC
17:14 EASTERN
The Home Depot Orders Fire Shield Extension Cords From Technology
Research Corporation
CLEARWATER, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 3, 2001--Ned Schiff, vice
president of U.S. commercial marketing and sales for Technology
Research Corporation (TRC), (Nasdaq:TRCI), announced today that it
will be supplying The Home Depot(R) with its Fire Shield(TM) Safety
Extension Cord beginning October 1, 2001, in 96 Home Depot Florida
region stores.
"We selected the Fire Shield Safety Extension Cord because of its
unique built-in cord fire prevention capability," said Mitch
Waldman, Product Manager for The Home Depot. "Fire Shield brings an
added level of safety that will meet the needs of today's safety
conscious customers. We will begin promoting Fire Shield in
conjunction with National Fire Safety Month in October and the
holiday season."
"We are excited to be bringing the world's safest extension cord to
market through The Home Depot," stated Schiff. "Home Depot will be
using our new merchandising aisle display which holds 48 Fire Shield
Safety Extension Cords and prominently presents the product to the
potential consumer. TRC will support the effort with TV advertising
to create awareness of the product and its availability in The Home
Depot stores."
Founded in 1978, Atlanta-based Home Depot currently operates 1,267
stores in 48 states, seven Canadian provinces, Puerto Rico, Mexico,
Argentina and Chile. The company was named in the Top 10 Most
Admired Companies in America by Fortune magazine, which has also
ranked it as America's Most Admired Specialty Retailer for eight
consecutive years. Home Depot's stock is traded on the New York
Stock Exchange (NYSE:HD) and is included in the Dow Jones Industrial
Average and Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
TRC is recognized as a worldwide leader in electrical safety
products that prevent electrocution, electrical fires and protect
against serious injury from electrical shock. Based on its core
technology in ground fault sensing, products are designed to meet
the needs of the consumer, commercial, and industrial markets
worldwide. The Company also supplies power monitors and control
equipment used by the United States Military and its prime
contractors.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995: The statements in this release that relate to
future plans, expectations, events, performance and the like are
forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934. Actual results or events could differ materially from
those described in the forward-looking statements due to a variety
of factors, including those set forth in the Company's reports on
Form 10-K and 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
CONTACT:
Technology Research Corporation, Clearwater
Scott J. Loucks
Tel: 727/535-0572
Fax: 727/535-4828
Web Page: http://www.trci.net
KEYWORD: FLORIDA
BW2365 OCT 03,2001
12:38 PACIFIC
15:38 EASTERN
Civil Engineers
Examine Role in Public Safety in The Wake of Attacks on World Trade
Center and Pentagon
Hundreds of Civil Engineers Convene in Houston to Explore
New Challenges Raised by the National Tragedy as Well as Other Civil
Engineering Challenges for the 21st Century.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Society of Civil
Engineers (ASCE) announced today the final program for its 2001
Civil Engineering Conference and Exposition to be held in Houston,
October 10-13, at the George R. Brown Convention Center. In the wake
of the attack on the World Trade Center Towers and the Pentagon, the
program has been revamped with the addition of special sessions
under the heading Civil Engineering: A Critical Role in Public
Safety.
The special sessions include a plenary discussion with the leaders
of the building performance studies of the World Trade Center Towers
collapse and the Pentagon crash. Finding Lessons Amid Tragedy: The
Work of Building Performance Study Teams at the World Trade Center
and Pentagon will feature W. Gene Corley, Ph.D., P.E., team leader
for the World Trade Center study and expert in building collapse
investigations, building codes and reinforced concrete; and Paul
Mlakar, Ph.D., P.E., team leader for the Pentagon study and expert
in blast-resistant design.
Three additional sessions will assist civil engineers in defining
and managing their roles in the aftermath of the attack on America:
* Safeguarding Vital Public Infrastructure I: Designing to Reduce
Vulnerability;
* Safeguarding Vital Public Infrastructure II: Social and Design
Considerations; and
* Safeguarding Vital Public Infrastructure III: The Civil Engineer's
Role in Assessing Vulnerability and Threat.
"In the midst of this awful tragedy that has befallen our nation,
civil engineers across the U.S. are rising to the challenge of
designing stronger communities and assessing potential
vulnerabilities in their existing infrastructure," said ASCE
Executive Director James E. Davis, P.E. "We are hopeful that the
changes made to the conference program will equip civil engineers
with the information and resources to serve their communities better
in this time of crisis."
In addition to the new sessions, participants will explore a number
of the challenges civil engineers are facing at the start of the
century at a mix of topical and technical sessions. Among the
featured events at the conference are:
* A forum on smart growth;
* A town hall meeting on the state of America's infrastructure;
* A special session on the Houston floods of 2001;
* An international roundtable on wind hazards;
* An exhibit of the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER);
* A Build-a-thon for public attendance, co-hosted by HoustonPBS; and
* A dedication in Galveston of the Seawall and Island Raise as a
National
Historical Civil
Engineering Landmark.
Two sessions, Smart Growth in the Houston Area (Friday, Oct. 12),
and America's Infrastructure: Rebuilding Our Economic Backbone
(Friday, Oct. 12, 8:30 -- 10:15 a.m.), will explore nationwide
trends that are contributing to urban sprawl and the nation's
decaying infrastructure and will examine the implications of those
trends for the Houston area. Rep. Nick Lampson (D-TX) has been
invited to speak at the session on smart growth. Civil engineers and
other experts will offer solutions to rebuild America's
infrastructure at a town hall-style meeting with local city
officials and leaders, co-sponsored by the Greater Houston
Partnership.
Other sessions, such as the International Roundtable on Wind Hazards
(Friday, Oct. 12 9:00 a.m. -- noon) and The Great Houston Flood of
2001: The Aftermath of Tropical Storm Allison (Saturday, Oct. 13,
8:30 a.m. -- 10 a.m.), will explore the technical issues that civil
engineers are faced with in protecting the public's safety and
valued property in the face of natural disasters.
The HAER exhibit highlights the preeminent archive of civil
engineering design and construction. In its more than 30 years in
existence, HAER has recorded nearly 7,500 bridges and industrial
sites with 58,000 data pages, 3,500 measured drawings and 68,000
photographs. The exhibit is one of the marquee events that celebrate
the history and heritage of civil engineering.
At the Build-a-thon (Saturday, Oct. 13, noon -- 4:00 p.m.) children
and their families will learn about the basic design concepts behind
bridges, domes, skyscrapers, dams and tunnels through hands-on
activities.
The dedication of the Galveston Seawall and Island Raise as a
National Historical Civil Engineering Landmark will close out the
conference activities on Monday, October 15, in Galveston. The
seawall, erected following the Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900
which resulted in the loss of 6,000 lives, is a testament to the
ingenuity and ability of civil engineers to turn a tragedy into a
lesson on developing innovative ideas for protecting others from a
similar fate. The unique design feature of the seawall, a curved
concrete slab to dissipate wave energy upward, was accompanied by
the raising of the city's grade 18 feet above mean low water.
For more information on the 2001 Civil Engineering Conference &
Exposition please visit the Web site at http://www.asce.org/conferences/annual01
.
Founded in 1852, ASCE represents more than 123,000 civil engineers
worldwide and is America's oldest national engineering society. The
Society is celebrating its 150th anniversary and the accomplishments
of all civil engineers to build a better world.
SOURCE American Society of Civil Engineers
CO: American Society of Civil Engineers
ST: District of Columbia, Texas
IN: CST OIL TRN
SU:
10/01/2001 12:39 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
In the News Sept 7, 2001
Bacou-Dalloz
Combination Completed. Creation of the new world leader in
personal protective equipment. Christian Dalloz shareholders
approve the combination with Group Bacou.
PARIS, Sept. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Following approval at an
Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting of Christian Dalloz SA earlier
today, the combination of Dalloz with Group Bacou, first announced
on May 30, 2001, has been completed in a series of transactions in
France and the US. This combination creates the world's largest
manufacturer of personal protective equipment with a nearly 7% share
of a global market estimated at EUR11.5bn.
"We have just created the world leader in personal protective
equipment with a strong presence in both North America and Europe.
This is an important event in the history of our company and we
believe it will create value for all our shareholders,"
according to Philippe Alfroid, co-Chairman of the group Bacou-Dalloz.
Philippe Bacou, former Chairman of Group Bacou, who was appointed as
co- Chairman of the new group, added: "Our two companies are
highly complementary in nature and our corporate cultures are close.
This deal between Bacou and Dalloz will create a group, unique in
the breadth of its product range and business skills. I believe the
combination of our two groups will allow us to win greater market
share in the future."
Based on financial data for 2000, the new group Bacou-Dalloz would
have had annual sales of EUR902m and EBITDA of EUR165m, on a
pro-forma basis. "With the combination of these businesses, we
expect substantial synergies which will enhance our EBITDA
growth," commented Claude-Henri Balleyguier, CEO of
Bacou-Dalloz. "We expect to reach EUR30m synergies per year by
2004, consisting of the combination of certain aspects of marketing,
sales, distribution, industrial and administrative functions."
The new Bacou-Dalloz group is the world leader in personal
protective equipment. On a pro-forma basis, its sales in 2000
amounted to EUR 902m, with 54% from the American market, 39% from
Europe and 7% from the rest of the world. The company employs around
7,000 people and has 53 production facilities.
Bacou-Dalloz has three core businesses: protection of the head
(respiratory, hearing and eyes protection), fall protection and body
protection (gloves, clothes and shoes). The new group will offer its
customers a comprehensive range of products, worldwide, to protect
people from hazards in the work environment, or wherever they are at
risk of injury.
Investor relations
Bacou-Dalloz: Brice de La Morandiere
Tel. +33 (0)1 53 11 19 04 - e-mail: InvestorRelations@dallozsafety.com
Media relations
Bacou-Dalloz: Christophe Mathy
Tel. + 33 (0)1 53 11 19 04 - e-mail: cmathy@dallozsafety.com
Euro RSCG Omnium: Caroline Berdeaux
Tel. +33 (0)1 41 34 38 48 - e-mail: caroline.berdeaux@eurorscg.fr
Florence Macaire
Tel. +33 (0)1 41 34 44 48 - e-mail: florence.macaire@eurorscg.fr
SOURCE Bacou-Dalloz
CO: Christian Dalloz SA; Group Bacou; Bacou-Dalloz; Bacou USA
ST: France
IN: ENV
SU: TNM
09/06/2001 13:55 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
BP Signs with EHSmanager
for Knowledge Management System
DataCHEST Content Engine Will Provide Access to Regulatory,
Commercial and BP Corporate Information on Chemicals, Health,
Environment, Safety, and
Transportation
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Sept. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- EHSmanager, the leading
provider of Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Risk Management
applications announced today that petrochemical giant BP has
purchased EHSmanager's DataCHEST application for corporate EHS
knowledge management and decision support. Chemists and
toxicologists at BP's research center will use the system to access
regulatory and commercial data for various EHS activities and
projects.
The DataCHEST system uses revolutionary technology to intelligently
parse scientific, technical, and regulatory content from a broad
variety of sources, along with corporate information regarding
products and substances, and store it as normalized, reusable data.
Using an industrial strength EHS repository, the application
provides access to internal and external information, and is a
powerful decision support tool for EHS professionals.
"The need for reliable and centralized information is a major
concern in the EHS industry," stated Patrick Pfeifer, President
and CEO of EHSmanager. "DataCHEST offers a new approach,
enabling corporations like BP to reduce errors and optimize
decisions by giving users a single point-of-access to multiple
sources of up-to-date EHS data."
"DataCHEST is a one-stop shop for EHS information. It helps us
save time because the information is centralized and updated on a
regular basis," stated Dr. James D. Jernigan, Director of
Product Stewardship at BP. "The fact that the application is
Internet-based enables a flexible research process, because the
application is accessible from everywhere.
About BP
BP is an international energy company involved in the exploration of
crude oil and natural gas; refining, marketing, supply and
transportation of hydrocarbons; manufacturing and marketing of
petrochemicals; solar power systems; and gas-fired power generation.
BP has well-established operations in Europe, North and South
America, Australia, Asia and Africa. For more information, please
visit http://www.bp.com.
On September 18, BP will host an EHSmanager Select Conference on EHS
and risk management. The conference will feature interesting
presentations on EHS knowledge management and other topics. For more
information on the event and to register, please visit http://www.ehsmanager.com/news/index.html
.
About EHSmanager
EHSmanager is the leading provider of Environmental, Health and
Safety (EHS) Risk Management applications and content. The company's
systems, WorkSafe and DataCHEST, provide a single point-of-access to
information and decision support functionality for CEOs, COOs, and
CFOs, risk managers, EHS professionals and others. EHSmanager's
solutions also deliver the industrial-strength data platform needed
to integrate EHS risk management with the extended enterprise,
streamlining business processes and supporting collaboration. With
EHSmanager's products, companies cut costs by proactively managing
risk, and optimize operations from an EHS perspective. For more
information, please visit http://www.ehsmanager.com.
The names of all products and services of EHSmanager used herein are
trademarks or registered trademarks of EHSmanager. All other product
names used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective owners.
SOURCE EHSmanager
CO: EHSmanager; BP; DataCHEST
ST: Kansas
IN: CHM ENV OIL HEA
SU: TNM
09/05/2001 10:09 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
Emergency Smoke Hoods Deployed By
Offshore Giant
VANCOUVER, Sept. 4 /PRNewswire/ - Transocean Sedco Forex, the
world's largest offshore drilling company, has made the EVAC-U8
Emergency Escape Smoke Hood the standard fire and H2S escape device
for their offshore drilling operations.
According to Brookdale International Systems, the manufacturer of
this industry-leading safety device, Transocean Sedco Forex placed
an order for 3150 EVAC-U8 units in July 2001 through distributor
Dooley Tackaberry. Transocean had previously deployed over 1400
EVAC-U8's on its drilling rigs, which operate in locations around
the world.
The EVAC-U8 Smoke Hood is particularly well-suited to the safety
requirements of oil and gas drilling operations because of its
ability to protect against lethal hydrogen sulfide, as well as the
other toxic gases created by fire. But EVAC-U8 has the potential to
save lives in any industrial situation where there is a risk of fire
or toxic gas release.
Because 80% of fire deaths and injuries result from smoke
inhalation, survival in a fire could depend on access to this
innovative fire safety technology. The EVAC-U8's sophisticated
catalytic filter system provides up to 20 minutes of breathable air
in a toxic environment, and its Kapton hood protects the user's head
and eyes from smoke, heat, fire (up to 800F) and chemical
contaminants. EVAC-U8 is compact - about the size of a beverage can
- light (312g.), easy to use, and requires no maintenance during its
5-year service life. It can be carried in a belt pouch, mounted on
walls or bulkheads - in place and ready for use anywhere and anytime
it is needed.
EVAC-U8 has been chosen for a wide variety of oil and gas, chemical,
and other industrial applications, with well-known customers such as
Akzo Nobel, ARCO, BP Amoco, Chevron, DuPont, GE Plastics and Texas
Instruments.
Brookdale International Systems is a subsidiary of DuPont Canada.
For more information about EVAC-U8 visit Brookdale's website at
www.evac-u8.com
SOURCE Brookdale International Systems Inc.
CO: Brookdale International Systems Inc.
ST: British Columbia
09/04/2001 11:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
Bettcher Airshirz Pneumatic Scissors Increase Worker Productivity
and Comfort in Specialty Fabric Cutting Operations
BIRMINGHAM, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 6, 2001--Airshirz(r)
pneumatic scissors from Bettcher Industries increase worker
productivity while reducing muscle fatigue in specialized fabric
cutting operations.
They are particularly well suited for use in the manufacture of
protective clothing such as fire-fighting gear, where heat- and
puncture-resistant fabrics are often difficult to cut. Lightweight
yet powerful, Airshirz provides clean, accurate cutting, snipping
and trimming, resulting in less waste and a better-looking finished
product. Yet Airshirz requires approximately 90% less muscle
activity to operate, and achieves up to 127% greater worker
productivity over manual scissors.
Airshirz scissors are now available in two grip designs: choose from
either a two-finger grip or a larger loop style, depending on your
shop and operator requirements. Both designs feature an automatic
spring-return action, so no effort is required to open the blades.
Moreover, the pneumatic design gives the user complete control over
the cutting action, thereby guarding against accidents or an
inadvertent cut, and promoting safe operation.
A safety latch secures blades in a locked position to enhance safety
and prevent damage when not in use. All units use standard 80 to 120
psi plant air.
In addition to cutting heavy fabrics, Airshirz scissors are ideal
for cutting, snipping and trimming leather or upholstery, zipper
material, vinyl, fiberglass, rubber, wire and metal mesh material.
Airshirz scissors from Bettcher Industries utilize stainless steel
blades, with multiple configurations available. Blades can be
removed in seconds and sharpened using conventional sharpening
equipment.
Established in 1944, Bettcher Industries is a leading developer and
manufacturer of innovative and precision cutting tools. For more
information about Airshirz pneumatic scissors, contact Bettcher
Industries, Inc., 6801 State Route 60, Birmingham, OH 44816 USA.
Phone: 440/965-4422. FAX: 440/965-4900. Web site address:
www.bettcher.com.
CONTACT:
Bettcher Industries, Inc.
Rick Greszler, 440/965-4422
KEYWORD: OHIO
BW2347 SEP 06,2001
8:11 PACIFIC
11:11 EASTERN
Fisher Scientific to Acquire Scientific-Instrument Manufacturer and Distributor
Cole-Parmer
Acquisition Enhances Fisher's Self-Manufacturing Capabilities; Expands Life Science Product Portfolio
HAMPTON, N.H., Sept. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Fisher Scientific International, Inc. (NYSE: FSH), the world leader in serving science, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Cole-Parmer Instrument Company of Vernon Hills, Ill., in a $205 million cash transaction. Cole-Parmer -- with fiscal 2001 revenues of approximately $170 million -- is a global manufacturer and distributor of specialty instruments, equipment and supplies to the scientific-research and industrial markets.
The company expects the acquisition to have no impact on 2001 earnings and be $0.03 accretive to its EPS (earnings per share) in 2002.
"The acquisition of Cole-Parmer both expands the breadth of our product offering to the life-science market and strengthens our self-manufactured product portfolio," said Paul M. Montrone, chairman and chief executive officer of Fisher Scientific International. "Fisher's industry-leading products and services will be enhanced by Cole-Parmer's self-manufactured product lines that include fluid-management systems and instruments, which are important components of scientific research."
Fisher Scientific's self-manufactured products and services include organic and inorganic chemicals; diagnostic products; laboratory instruments and equipment; lab workstations and fume hoods; custom synthesis for drug
discovery; and contract-packaging services for phase III and phase IV clinical trials of new prescription drugs.
"The acquisition is an excellent fit and creates numerous synergies, including back-office integration, logistics optimization, and low-cost overseas manufacturing capabilities," said Montrone. "Once fully integrated in late 2002, we expect to generate approximately $5 million of incremental operating income annually as a result of the acquisition."
The acquisition qualifies for a joint election tax benefit under section 338(h)(10), which on a present-value basis provides $30 million in tax benefits that effectively reduces the cash payment for this transaction to approximately $175 million.
Fisher will fund the acquisition primarily with cash generated from its recently completed equity offering. Closing of the transaction, which is subject to customary terms and conditions and regulatory approvals, is anticipated early in the fourth quarter.
At 10:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) today, Fisher Scientific will host a live conference call to provide an overview of the transaction and the strategy behind the acquisition. The call-in numbers are:
U.S. 877-648-7975
International 706-634-2332
A replay will be available beginning approximately two hours after the conclusion of the teleconference until Sept. 15.
Conference Call Replay Access: 800-642-1687 (U.S.)
706-645-9291 (International)
Replay Code: 1672031
The call also will be available live on the company's Web site at www.fisherscientific.com , and will be archived on the site for 10 days.
About Fisher Scientific International Inc.
As the world leader in serving science, Fisher Scientific International Inc. (NYSE: FSH) offers more than 600,000 products and services that enable scientific discovery and clinical laboratory testing services to more than 350,000 customers located in approximately 145 countries. As a result of its broad product offering, integrated global logistics network and electronic-commerce capabilities, Fisher serves as a "one-stop source" of products, services and global solutions for many of its customers. The company's primary target markets are life science, clinical laboratory and industrial-safety supply. Additional information about Fisher is available on the company's Web site at www.fisherscientific.com .
About Cole-Parmer
Headquartered in Vernon Hills, Ill., Cole-Parmer Instrument Company is a leading worldwide distributor of specialty technical instruments, appliances, equipment and supplies to industrial, bioscience, academic and governmental customers.
This announcement includes forward-looking statements. Fisher Scientific has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations and projections about future events. Although Fisher Scientific believes that its assumptions made in connection with the forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurances can be given that its assumptions and expectations will prove to have been correct. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Fisher Scientific undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this announcement might not occur.
SOURCE Fisher Scientific International, Inc.
CO: Fisher Scientific International, Inc.; Cole-Parmer Instrument Company
ST: New Hampshire, Illinois
IN: MTC HEA BIO
SU: TNM
09/05/2001 00:01 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
Labor Chief: Reduce Worker
Injuries
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - Labor Secretary Elaine Chao wants more emphasis on
reducing workplace injuries through prevention and education - not
just enforcement.
As part of that plan, Chao said Monday she supports making voluntary
programs a part of the 1970 legislation that created the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Chao's comments came
in a prepared speech to company officials attending a Labor
Department partnership program meeting in New Orleans.
Voluntary programs have ``earned a permanent place in OSHA's
mandate,'' Chao said. ``This is a leading example of how employers,
employees and government can work together.''
At its current pace, OSHA would need 167 years to inspect every
workplace in America just once, she said.
``It's simple: The Department of Labor must embrace prevention -
anticipating problems before they happen, not just reacting to them
after the fact,'' Chao said.
She also wants to expand participation in the voluntary programs,
especially among small business.
After a big legislative fight this spring that pitted business
against labor unions, Congress repealed Clinton-era regulations
mandating that employers make changes to reduce ergonomics-related
injuries among workers.
Chao has said she will announce next month if she will proceed with
a new regulation or a voluntary policy.
On the Net:
Occupational Safety and Health Administration: http://www.osha.gov/
AP-NY-08-27-01 1628EDT
Shop
Online I Industry Headlines
and Newsfeeds
In the News Aug 31, 2001
A Majority of U.S. Businesses Report Workplace Safety Delivers a Return On Investment
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 29, 2001-- Liberty Mutual survey shows 61 percent of executives say $3 or
more saved for each $1 invested in workplace safety
Ninety-five percent of business executives report that workplace safety has a positive impact on a company's financial performance, according to the findings of The Executive Survey of Workplace Safety announced today by the Liberty Mutual Group, the nation's leading provider of workers compensation insurance. Of these executives, 61 percent believe their companies receive a return on investment of $3 or more for each $1 they invest in improving workplace safety.
The survey also reveals executives realize the benefits of workplace safety go beyond the company's bottom-line, with 70 percent reporting that protecting employees is a leading benefit of workplace safety.
The survey also helps shed light on the impact two types of costs associated with workplace accidents are having on U.S. businesses: Direct costs, or payments to injured employees and their medical care providers, and Indirect costs, such as lost productivity, overtime costs, etc. Ninety-three percent of executives surveyed see a relationship between these costs, with 40 percent of them reporting $1 of direct cost generates between $3 and $5 of indirect costs.
By comparing the findings on indirect costs with its own research on the direct costs of workplace accidents and illness, Liberty Mutual calculates U.S. businesses are paying a staggering $155 billion to $232 billion on workers compensation losses annually. The Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index announced this spring provided the first-ever ranking of the 10 leading causes of workplace accidents based on the direct cost of each accident cause. The Index estimated the total direct cost of all workplace accidents was $38.7 billion in 1998, the most recent year for which data was available at the time.
Moreover, the survey findings reveal that business executives may be focusing attention on certain causes of workplace accidents at the expense of others, and may need to realign their workplace safety priorities.
For example, executives report "Repetitive Motion" is the most important cause of workplace accidents and that they will focus workplace safety resources on this accident cause. However, five other accident causes each produced greater direct costs for companies in 1998, according to the Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index. The Index reported that workplace injuries caused by "Repetitive Motion" produced $2.3 billion in direct costs for employers in 1998, about a quarter of the $9.8 billion of the leading accident cause - "Overexertion."
Similarly, executives may place less priority on accident causes that have greater potential financial impact. For example, survey participants report "Falls on the Same Level" as the 7th most important cause of workplace accidents. However, the Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index ranked this category as the 2nd most important accident cause. See Appendix A: Employer Perception vs Reality.
"Workplace safety has a ripple affect, either positive or negative, on so many aspects of U.S. business operations today," said Joseph Gilles, Liberty Mutual Executive Vice President, Commercial Insurance. "The first step for executives is to take preemptive measures to prevent employee pain and suffering caused by workplace injuries. Identifying the accident causes that have the greatest impact on their company and focussing workplace resources on these will help a company reduce costs and achieve strategic corporate goals
-- such as assuring employee satisfaction and health, positioning the company as a low-cost provider, shortening production and delivery time, and improving product quality. Given the importance of workplace safety, companies should make sure their efforts are directed at those accident causes that have the greatest potential impact on their operations and employees." Mr. Gilles is available to comment on The Executive Survey of Workplace Safety.
Survey results are based on interviews with 200 executives responsible for workers compensation and other commercial insurances at 125 mid-size firms (100 to 999 employees) and 75 large companies (over 1,000 employees) representing a range of geographic locations and industries. Results are presented in Appendix B: Survey Highlights.
This survey is part of Liberty Mutual's ongoing focus on Workplace Safety. It follows the Spring 2001 release of the Workplace Safety Index, the first ranking of accident causes by direct costs to employers using Liberty Mutual claims data, combined with findings from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Academy of Social Insurance. Both studies are available at www.libertymutual.com.
Liberty Mutual Executive Survey of Workplace Safety
Appendix A: Employer Perception Vs Reality
A gap may exist between business executives' perception of the leading causes of workplace accidents and an actual ranking of these
accident causes based on their direct cost to companies.
Reality Perceptions
Ranking Liberty Mutual Workplace Liberty Mutual Executive
Safety Index - The ten Survey of Workplace Safety - leading causes of workplace Accident causes ranked by accidents ranked by their executive concern direct costs
Est. national workers comp. direct cost:
1) Overexertion - injuries from $9.8 billion Repetitive Motion lifting, lowering, pushing or pulling.
2) Falls Same Level $4.4 billion Overexertion - injuries from lifting, lowering, pushing or pulling.
3) Bodily Reaction - injuries $3.6 billion Highway Accidents resulting from bending, standing, reaching but not including slipping and tripping without falling.
4) Falls to Lower Level $3.6 billion Bodily Reaction - injuries resulting from bending, standing, reaching but not including slipping and tripping without falling.
5) Struck by Object $3.4 billion Falls to Lower Level
6) Repetitive Motion $2.3 billion Becoming caught in or compressed by equipment
7) Highway Accident $2.1 billion Falls Same Level
8) Being struck against an object $1.9 billion Struck by Object
9) Becoming caught in or $1.6 billion Contact with compressed by equipment temperature extremes
10) Contact with temperature $.3 billion Being struck extremes against an object
The Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index was developed by applying Liberty Mutual 1998 workers compensation claims cost data to workplace accident frequency information provided by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics for that year, the most recent data available at the time. The relative proportions of each accident type were then applied to national estimates of the cost of workers compensations benefits from The National Academy of Social Insurance.
Liberty Mutual Executive Survey of Workplace Safety
Appendix B: Survey Highlights
Benefits of Workplace Safety
--95% of respondents believe workplace safety has a positive impact on a company's financial performance.
-- 24% report a substantial positive impact
--86 % of respondents feel workplace safety provides a return on investment
-- 61 % feel that $3 or more is saved for each $1 invested
-- 13 % report $10 is returned for each $1 invested
--93 % report a close relationship between the direct and indirect costs associated with a workplace accident
-- 40 % feel that between $3 and $5 dollars of indirect costs exist for each $1 of direct costs
-- The median response was that $3 of indirect costs exist for each $1 of direct costs
--82 % of respondents feel their company currently places a high priority on workplace safety
--70% of respondents report that protecting employees is a leading benefit of workplace safety.
-- 49% report that protecting employees from the human and financial costs is the top benefit
Elements of Effective Workplace Safety Programs
--25% of respondents report that employee training is the most
important element of an effective workplace safety program.
-- 22% believe that management commitment is the most important
element
-- 16% believe internal communication is the most important element
98% feel that direct employee participation is necessary for effective workplace safety.
-- 69% believe it's critical Respondents report that benchmarking a company's workplace safety
performance is an important tool for improving workplace safety performance over time.
-- 71% indicate that they compare their company's workplace safety performance to other companies
CONTACT:
Liberty Mutual
Richard Angevine
617 574-6638
KEYWORD: MASSACHUSETTS
BW2152 AUG 29,2001
5:44 PACIFIC
8:44 EASTERN
Workplace Safety Focus of New Labor Day Initiative; Employers and Victims Join Forces to Raise Awareness of the Tragedy of Illness and Death on the Job
WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Fortune 500 companies, non-profit organizations, and victims and families of workplace accidents are banding together to make American workplaces safer through a Labor Day initiative. These organizations are intent upon making Labor Day a time when we not only celebrate the American worker, but also think about worker safety. The initiative is spearheaded by The FIGHT Project (Families in Grief Hold Together), a support group for victims of workplace accidents and their families.
The FIGHT Project is working with companies such as H.J. Heinz, The Ford Motor Company, and DuPont, as well as the American Occupational Therapy Association, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, The American Red Cross, The National Safety Council, and The Georgetown Business Ethics Institute to raise public awareness of workplace safety and to try to get Americans to reflect upon it on September 3rd.
Ron Hayes, father of Patrick Hayes who died in 1993 when he was smothered in a grain silo by 60 tons of corn at age 19, founded FIGHT. In March of 2001, The FIGHT Project co-sponsored a Workplace Safety Summit in Washington, D.C., the first time business, labor, academics, trade and professional associations, and advocacy groups have gathered to explore ways to make America's workplaces safer. This Labor Day initiative grew out of the summit.
"Labor Day is not just about hot dogs and hamburgers," said Hayes. "It's about the American worker. And there's no more important part of the workplace equation than keeping workers safe. Think about it. Before we go to bed tonight, 17 people will have been killed on the job. The FIGHT Project is my son's legacy. Patrick died in a workplace accident . . . that didn't have to happen."
Hayes went on to add that a workplace injury or illness occurs every six seconds in the United States. In 1999 alone, there were 6,023 workplace fatalities and 5.7 million workplace injuries, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
After Patrick Hayes became a workplace fatality, Ron Hayes was determined that his son's death would be more than a statistic. In the wake of the frustrations he faced gathering facts regarding his son's accident, Ron founded The FIGHT Project to help families get information about work-related deaths, illnesses, and injuries. In addition, it is a non-profit organization and clearinghouse of information for all types of workplace issues. It is wholly dedicated to helping families get answers while working through the difficult months and years that follow workplace injuries and fatalities. No one connected with FIGHT takes a salary; it is entirely a humanitarian effort to assist workers and their families. Since founding The FIGHT Project, Hayes has become one of the country's leading advocates for workplace safety.
"It is vital for us to work with employers to promote safety in the workplace. The summit brought all parties together for the common goal of preventing tragedies," said Mr. Hayes. "Our Labor Day initiative will continue these efforts and drive home the true meaning of this holiday."
Ron Hayes is the founder of the FIGHT Project, a support and advocacy group for victims of workplace accidents and their families. He is one of the country's leading workplace safety advocates. He serves as an advisor to several members of Congress, as well as to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
SOURCE FIGHT Project
CO: FIGHT Project; H.J. Heinz; Ford Motor Company; DuPont; American Occupational Therapy Association; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; American Red Cross; National Safety Council; Georgetown Business Ethics Institute
ST: District of Columbia
SU: NPT LBR
08/29/2001 08:02 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
LABOR DAY A TIME TO APPLAUD WORKERS,
VALUE THEIR SAFETY, AMERICAN SOCIETY OF SAFETY ENGINEERS SAY
New Study Finds Correlation Between
Corporate Culture & Safety
DES PLAINES, IL (August 30, 2001)
As America looks at Labor Day as the last vacation weekend of the
summer, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) applauds the
American workers whose determination and hard work in the decades
before allow us to have the freedom to enjoy this holiday. ASSE also
urges employers to recognize the value of safety in honor of the
American worker. For instance, as the construction industry recorded
the highest number of fatal injuries last year a recent ASSE
Foundation-funded study found ?a strong correlation between
corporate
culture and good safety records in this industry and that certain
cultural characteristics are more prone to affect a safety record.'
"As we look back onto the great strides in workplace safety
made over
the years, we also have to look at the fact that last year 5,915
people died from work-related injuries and that, according to the
U.S. Department of Labor, construction recorded the highest
number,"
ASSE President Eddie Greer, CSP, said today. "There are several
ways
to address this. We know from our international conference on
contractor safety held last fall in London that corporations,
contractors and employees must make safety a part of the initial
planning of any construction project. Also, a recent Foundation
funded study of construction firms found that the company committed
to safety also had the most consistent positive safety record."
The Foundation-funded study done this year by Dr. Keith R. Molenaar
of the Construction Engineering and Management Program at the
University of Colorado at Boulder titled ?Corporate Culture in
Companies with Outstanding Construction Safety? found three critical
characteristics of corporate culture that influenced safety
performance. Those characteristics are 1) the value of upper
management?s commitment to company safety; 2) the incentives that
are
offered to field personnel for safe performance; and, 3) the
involvement of subcontractors in the company?s culture. The report
defines corporate culture as the beliefs, values and behaviors that
are consistent throughout all members of the organization.
The report recommended that upper management make safety a strategic
concern, actively participate in safety, assign safety
responsibilities at field levels -- not just with safety personnel,
identify and correct unsafe behaviors before they result in
accidents, and offer meaningful incentives for safe performance.
As for safety professionals, Greer states, ?we need to be an
integral part of the leadership team within our companies, in any
industry. That means communicating the vision that fatalities and
injuries are unacceptable."
Greer also recommends that safety professionals need to step
back,
analyze leading indicators such as near misses and unsafe conditions
and take action before problems arise or get worse. ?It takes
leadership to do that," Greer said.
"Although times have changed since 1894 when Congress
first passed
an act making the first Monday of September a legal holiday, Labor
Day, there is still much more that needs to be done to reduce the
hundreds of thousands who are inflicted each year with work-related
illnesses, injuries and loss of life," Greer said. "Safety
is an
investment more companies need to be banking on."
In an effort to address these challenges, ASSE and its
members
provide ongoing educational programs such as the ASSE Construction
Safety Symposium to take place this November 8-9th in New Orleans.
Agenda items include an update on fall prevention, the second
leading
cause of work-related deaths and the primary cause of deaths in the
construction industry; an Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) update on construction industry regulations;
safety training for non-English speaking employees; effective
training techniques for the safety professional in construction;
managing subcontractor liability, and improving crane safety.
ASSE is the oldest and largest society of safety
professionals in
the world. Founded in 1911, the non-profit ASSE represents
more than
30,000 safety professionals including Certified Safety
Professionals,
Certified Industrial Hygienists, Professional Engineers,
Eergonomists, Aacademicians, fFire pProtection eEngineers, sSystem
sSafety eExperts, hHealth pProfessionals, Transportation
Specialists,
and a wide collection of other disciplines, skills, and backgrounds.
Additionally, the ASSE Foundation funds scholarships and research in
the area of occupational safety and health. More information on the
Foundation study and Construction Symposium can be found on ASSE?s
web site at www.asse.org.
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