GRANITEVILLE, S.C. (Feb. 3, 2005) – Teammates at Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC’s (BFNT) Aiken County facility have one more reason to celebrate!

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has recertified BFNT’s Aiken County facility as a Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) STAR (Safety Through Achievement and Recognition) site, an official recognition awarded to those outstanding employers and their employees who have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to occupational health and safety in the plant environment.

“This recertification is affirmation of our company’s and our teammates’ commitment to safety and quality,” said Michael Rose, BFNT’s Aiken County plant manager. “VPP certification has been a key component of all the awards we have won. We are proud and honored to be recognized again for our commitment.”

The Aiken County facility originally received its certification in 2000 and is one of only two tire plants in the United States to attain VPP STAR status in OSHA’s 34 year history. The other is BFNT’s Warren County, Tenn., truck and bus tire manufacturing facility. As VPP STAR participants, both facilities are among a very select group that have designed and implemented outstanding safety and health processes.

“We are very honored and proud to have the only two tire plants in the country to have ever received this recognition,” said Bob Walker, director of health and safety for Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc.

To prepare for the rigorous audit process for the VPP STAR award, the facility assembled a steering committee. With “Teaming up for Safety” as its theme, the steering committee reviewed all processes and procedures to ensure that the facility has continued to improve since its original certification. The review included all aspects of the audit that OSHA would later perform.

OSHA established VPP in order to promote effective worksite-based safety and health. To qualify for VPP recertification, a facility must pass OSHA’s managed safety and health system criteria as well as undergo an application review and thorough on-site assessments by a team of safety and health experts. The recertification audit covered years 2001- 2003 and surveyed the plant on the basis of how it has improved in the past three years.

“It is always encouraging to see an operation that strives to keep the highest standards of safety and health,” said Janet Nixon, South Carolina VPP STAR coordinator. “We are thrilled that BFNT’s Aiken County plant has a continued presence in our Voluntary Protection Program, and we hope to further the ties between OSHA Voluntary Programs and the plant.”

The Aiken County facility is one of eight tire manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Canada operated by BFNT.