OCTOBER 18, 2005– Georgia-Pacific Corporation’s Premier Packaging Albion facility received the Michigan Voluntary Protection Program (MVPP) Star Award today from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) for workplace safety and health excellence.  The MIOSHA program is part of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG).

“We are honored to welcome Georgia-Pacific’s Albion facility into this prestigious group of Michigan companies that have implemented an exemplary safety and health system,” said DLEG Director David C. Hollister.   “You are to be commended for your safety and health leadership–which demonstrates that focusing on safety and health is a sound business decision.”

MIOSHA Director Doug Kalinowski presented the MVPP Star Award to General Manager Bill Magee and the Albion Safety Committee.  All employees attended the ceremony and were congratulated by local and state officials, as well as Georgia-Pacific corporate executives.  Employees raised the MVPP Star flag following the ceremony.

“The employees at Premier have demonstrated what can happen when an entire business or group works together, when there is a true spirit of cooperation, and when everyone is concerned, not only about their own safety, but their co-workers’ as well,” said Mike Rehwinkel, Senior Vice President – Packaging.

This is the most prestigious safety and health award given in Michigan.  MIOSHA established the MVPP program in 1996 to recognize employers actively working toward achieving excellence in workplace safety and health.  Since 1999, Michigan has recognized 18 MVPP Star companies.

“I’m extremely proud of the employees and safety team members here at Premier.  The success of this MVPP program demonstrates our employee's talents and dedication to safety,” said Rick Fox, Plant Manager – Premier.

The incidence rates at the Georgia-Pacific Albion facility are well below the Michigan average for their SIC code 2653, Corrugated & Solid Fiber Boxes.  Their total case incidence rate was 5.4 in 2002, 1.5 in 2003, and 0.0 in 2004-compared to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Michigan industry average of 6.4 in all three years.  The total days away/restricted cases (DART) rate was 1.4 in 2002, 1.5 in 2003, and 0.0 in 2004-compared to the BLS Michigan industry average of 3.4 in all three years.

  “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 program significantly reduce injuries and illnesses, it also has a tremendous impact on the bottom line.”

Georgia-Pacific’s Premier Corrugated sheet-feeder plant employs 74 workers and specializes in manufacturing corrugated sheets in single-wall and double-wall for its industrial based customers.  The MIOSHA review team conducted 28 formal and 22 informal interviews during the site visit.  The team examined each of the required elements of their safety and health management system, and found them to effectively address the scope and complexity of the hazards at the site.

The Georgia-Pacific corporate safety statement reads, in part:  “We recognize that there is no goal more important than having every employee go home safely every day, which is why accident prevention is everyone’s responsibility. All employees are expected to follow safe work practices to ensure their own safety as well as the safety of their fellow employees. By doing so, we can keep our facilities in the top tier of safe working environments in industry.”

Areas of excellence include:

• A very thorough and complete new employee orientation program;
• Holding all employees accountable for safe and healthy conditions through corporate goal setting and a Total Performance Management (TPM) evaluation process;
• A CORE: Safety Element System;
• Quarterly audits for Lockout/Tagout procedures;
• An excellent signage program offering instructions and reminders which are visible throughout the production area; and
• A computer-based system to report and track safety and health issues and suggestions.

Georgia-Pacific's corporate dedication and commitment to health and safety excellence is exemplified by their many facilities that have achieved Star status in federal OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program (VPP).  To date, Georgia-Pacific has 70 certified VPP sites.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of tissue, packaging, paper, building products and related chemicals.  With 2004 annual sales of approximately $20 billion, the company employs 55,000 people at more than 300 locations in North America and Europe. Its familiar consumer tissue brands include Quilted Northern®, Angel Soft®, Brawny®, Sparkle®, Soft 'n Gentle®, Mardi Gras®, So-Dri® and Vanity Fair®, as well as the Dixie® brand of disposable cups, plates and cutlery. Georgia-Pacific’s building products manufacturing business has long been among the nation’s leading supplier of building products to lumber and building materials dealers and large do-it-yourself warehouse retailers. For more information, visit www.gp.com.

Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth news releases.