NOVEMBER 18, 2002 –The Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services presented the Rising Star award to Huntsman Polyurethanes’ Auburn Hills facility at a special ceremony today to recognize the company for working toward excellence in workplace safety and health.

The Michigan Voluntary Protection Programs (MVPP) Rising Star award is given to companies that have a good safety and health program in place and have the desire and commitment to achieve the next and highest level of award, the Michigan Star award. 

“We are honored today to award our first Rising Star award to Huntsman Polyurethanes for their outstanding safety and health record and their commitment to workplace safety and health,” said Douglas J. Kalinowski, CIS Bureau of Safety & Regulation director.

The CIS Bureau of Safety and Regulation is responsible for the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act (MIOSHA) program.  MIOSHA established the MVPP program to recognize employers actively working toward achieving excellence in workplace safety and health.  It was developed in 1996 to reward private- and public-sector worksites that develop and implement outstanding safety and health management systems that go beyond MIOSHA standards.

Accepting the Rising Star award were Tom Basile, Huntsman Site Manager; Pete Panourgias, Huntsman Senior Project/Safety Engineer; and members of the safety committee. 

“The Rising Star status recognizes our dedicated commitment to the environment, health and safety in all we do.  It is through safety efforts like these that our associates in Auburn Hills have been able to achieve their demanding safety record,” Basile said.

The Huntsman Auburn Hills facility’s Incidence Rates and Lost Work Day Rates are well below the Michigan average for their Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code 2899, Chemical Preparations.  The Total Case Incidence Rate for Huntsman was 0.0 in 1999, 1.16 in 2000, and 0.0 in 2001–compared to 6.7, 3.7, and 3.7 respectively, for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) industry average.  The Total Lost Work Day Case rate for Huntsman was 0.0 for 1999, 2000, and 2001-compared to 4.3, 1.6, and 1.6 respectively, for the BLS industry average.

“Achieving the Rising Star status is a great honor,” said Panourgias.  “It acknowledges Huntsman’s total commitment to workplace safety and the complete involvement of all our employees at this site.”

The Huntsman Corporation is committed to achieving excellence in environmental, health and safety protection. Their Environmental, Health and Safety Protection Policy states:  “It is the responsibility of both management and associates to operate safe, clean and efficient facilities in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.”  This policy is posted at the facility and included in the Environmental, Health and Safety Procedures Manual.

“National VPP sites experience 60 to 80 percent less lost work day injuries than would be expected of an average site in their industry,” said Kalinowski.  “Not only does the MVPP participation significantly reduce injuries and illnesses, but it also has a tremendous impact on the bottom line.”

Huntsman Polyurethanes is a non-union facility with 89 regular employees and six full-time contract employees.  The Auburn Hills site is the Research and Development Center for the Huntsman Polyurethanes Derivatives Division servicing the furniture, footwear, automotive and adhesives coatings and elastomers sectors.

Huntsman Corporation LLC is North America’s largest privately held chemical company.  Its operating companies manufacture basic products for the world’s most essential industries including chemicals, plastics, automotive, construction, high-tech, health care, textiles, detergent, personal care, and packaging.  Originally known for pioneering innovations in packaging and later rapid and integrated growth in petrochemicals, Huntsman-held companies today have revenues of approximately $8 billion, more than 13,000 employees and facilities in more than 40 countries.

Huntsman Polyurethanes, an international business unit of Huntsman International LLC, produces chemicals and systems for customers in the construction, refrigeration insulation, packaging, automotive seating and interiors, furniture, footwear, composite wood products, thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), and adhesives, coatings, and elastomers markets.  Numerous other Huntsman sites within the states of Texas and New Jersey have also earned Star Status in the Voluntary Protection Programs.

Read more Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services press releases.