July 27, 2006 – Today Great Lakes Pulp & Fibre in Menominee became the sixth facility in the state to receive the prestigious SHARP Award for an exemplary safety and health management system. The award ceremony was part of the company’s 10th Anniversary celebration.

“This is an outstanding day for Great Lakes Pulp & Fibre–you are celebrating your 10th Anniversary and you are receiving an award few companies will achieve,” said DLEG Director Robert W. Swanson. “Your decision to produce a high-quality product, while protecting your workers and the environment–makes you one of Michigan’s Economic All Stars.”

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) established the Michigan Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) Award to recognize employers that have achieved safety and health excellence far beyond their peers. The MIOSHA program is part of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG).

DLEG Director Robert W. Swanson and MIOSHA Acting Director Martha B. Yoder presented the award to Robert C. Garland, President & CEO; Rich Olson, Mill Manager; Todd Clausen, Operations Manager; and Jason Triest, Safety Manager; who accepted on behalf of all the mill’s employees.

“Great Lakes Pulp & Fibre is a world class mill that produces high-quality recycled pulp. We place the safety and well-being of our employees above all else,” said Garland. “This award is a reflection of our commitment to a safe work environment and we are all very proud of this accomplishment.”

The following public officials recognized the company on their outstanding achievement: George Krah, Mayor of Menominee; Bob Harbick, Mayor of Marinette; Eric Strahl, Menominee City Manager; Darrell Eland, President of the Marinette and Menominee Chamber of Commerce; Tom Casperson, Michigan State Representative; Paul Tesanovich, U.P. Aide for State Senator Michael Prusi; Ann Fix, Congressional Aide for U.S. Representative Bart Stupak; and Kane Beauchamp, Staff Representative for U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow.

“We are honored to present this prestigious award to the employees and management of Great Lakes Pulp & Fibre,” said Yoder. “We applaud your decision to make safety and health an integral part of your company culture. You are sending the message that protecting your workers is a sound business decision.”

The Michigan SHARP Program targets small manufacturers–to help them develop, implement and continuously improve the effectiveness of their workplace safety and health management system. SHARP provides an incentive for employers to emphasize accident and illness prevention by anticipating problems, rather than simply reacting to them.

The MIOSHA Onsite Consultation Program within the Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division operates the Michigan SHARP Program. Onsite consultants work with employers to help them become self-sufficient in managing occupational safety and health. SHARP worksites earn an exemption from “programmed” MIOSHA inspections on a yearly basis.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for Great Lakes Pulp & Fibre is 322121 – Paper (except Newsprint) Mills, which is classified as a high-hazard industry. They employ 104 workers, and their incidence rates are well below the national average for their NAICS code. Their Total Case Incidence Rate was 2.9 in 2004-compared to 3.7 for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) industry average. Their Total Days Away/Restricted Cases (DART) was 0.0 in 2004-compared to 1.7 for the BLS industry average.

“The Michigan SHARP Program requires a comprehensive consultation visit, and the correction of all serious workplace safety and health hazards,” said Yoder. “Great Lakes Pulp & Fibre has developed a safety and health system that provides outstanding protection for their workers.”

The company’s safety and health management system incorporates each of the seven required elements: Hazard Anticipation and Detection; Hazard Prevention and Control; Planning and Evaluation; Administration and Supervision; Safety and Health Training; Management Leadership; and Employee Participation.

Some of Great Lakes Pulp & Fiber’s best practices include:

• A hazard reporting system with required responses,

• A “Process and Equipment Change” procedure,

• An effective personal protective equipment (PPE) program,

• Review of near misses,

• An incentive program that has quarterly reviews tied to employee safety performance, and

• An active safety committee that conducts monthly inspections.

Great Lakes Pulp & Fibre is one of Menominee’s major employers, and is a state-of-the-art de-inked pulp mill. At full capacity, the mill can produce over 163,000 metric tons per year of high-quality recycled pulp with characteristics that equal or exceed that of hardwood virgin fiber.