Pioneer Hi-Bred Seed Production Plant Receives OSHA Award

Litchfield location receives Star Site award for commitment to safety

LITCHFIELD, Ill., Oct. 6, 2008 – Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is proud to announce the Pioneer soybean production plant in Litchfield, Ill., has been recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as a Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star Site. This safety award is the highest grade that can be achieved in this program.

An OSHA representative presented the award to Litchfield employees at a ceremony held at the plant Tuesday, Sept. 30. The Litchfield plant, which produces soybean and wheat seed for growers throughout the Corn Belt including southern Illinois, eastern Missouri and several areas in the South, received the award because of its top-notch efforts to provide a safe work environment for its employees.

“We are committed to safety,” says Tony Herman, Pioneer plant manager at Litchfield. “We want our employees to go home the same way they left for work in the morning – safe and sound.”

The award recognizes Litchfield plant employees’ overall awareness of safety and engineering protocols designed to increase productivity and reduce the risk of injury. The VPP Star Site award sets performance-based criteria and assesses applicants through a rigorous process of worksite evaluations, examination of safety records, review of safety programs and completion of a very detailed application. Sites awarded Star status must submit annual self-evaluations and undergo on-site reevaluations from OSHA every three to five years.

The OSHA VPP program was initiated in 1982 to recognize businesses and worksites for exceptional efforts in safety and health. The average VPP site has a lost-workday incidence rate at least 50 percent below the industry average.

“Pioneer Hi-Bred has the goal of zero job-related injuries, which means we strive to reach the goal of having zero injuries to employees,” says Ron Hageman, safety coordinator for the Litchfield plant.

According to Hageman, the VPP program has given employees added incentive to conduct their daily activities with safety as a primary goal. “We feel a sense of pride in being recognized by OSHA for this accomplishment,” says Hageman. “Although we have achieved Star status, we are not yet satisfied and will make every effort to look for opportunities to continue to improve.”

Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world’s leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics in nearly 70 countries.

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

Accepting the OSHA Star Site award (L to R) are Pioneer safety committee member Dan Lamb, OSHA area director Nick Walters, Pioneer safety committee member Derek Birkenkamp, Litchfield Mayor Tom Jones, Pioneer safety committee member Mark Wilhelm, Litchfield city administrator Andy Ritchie, Pioneer safety committee member Paul Oller, Pioneer safety committee member Todd Thomas, Litchfield economic development director Tonya Flannery, Litchfield Chamber of Commerce executive director Nikki Bishop, Pioneer safety committee member Chad Foss, Pioneer Litchfield safety coordinator Ron Hageman and Pioneer Litchfield location manager Tony Herman.

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10/06/08

Contact:
Jerry Harrington
800-247-6803, ext. 6908