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Bloomington Facility Celebrates Safety MilestonePlant achievements recognized by federal government

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (Nov. 27, 2007) – Bridgestone Americas is serious about safety — on the roads and in the workplace. Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC’s (BFNT) Bloomington, Ill., plant is one shining example of this focus.

The Bloomington plant today hosted Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) officials and local dignitaries to celebrate its achievement of federal OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star status. The Bloomington plant is the sixth facility in the Bridgestone Americas family of companies to receive this prestigious designation. 

“This award is a testament to the hard work of our Bloomington teammates; they’re at the core of the plant’s ability to achieve these exceptional workplace safety standards,” said Mark A. Emkes, Chairman and CEO of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. (BSAH) and BFNT. “All of us within the Bridgestone Americas family of companies appreciate the hard work and dedication that has gone into ensuring that this facility is one of the safest in the country.”

The OSHA Voluntary Protection Program Star award is given to companies that have comprehensive safety and health programs with injury rates below the industry’s national average. To qualify, Bloomington teammates designed and implemented outstanding safety and health processes that exceed OSHA’s strict safety standards.

“The evaluation criteria for Voluntary Protection Program Star status are demanding,” said Nick Walters, OSHA Area Director. “The award is a recognition that the employees at this Bridgestone Firestone plant have structured a unique safety and health management system. It’s a tribute to the company that its employees are committed to safety.”

To achieve Voluntary Protection Program Star status, the Bloomington facility prepared a detailed application and underwent a rigorous on-site review by OSHA specialists. Bloomington’s best safety practices include: a safety reporting communication network, comprehensive equipment inspections and air quality testing, the installation of lift truck impact sensors and a Web-based safety training program. The plant produces off the road tires used in heavy duty applications for construction, mining, aggregates and other industrial operations.

“Our teammates are very focused on safety and working together to maintain a healthy plant environment,” said Greg Halford, Bloomington’s Plant Manager. “This VPP Star award is gratifying to us, as it underscores our commitment to workplace safety. We are very proud to be one of the safest manufacturing facilities in America.” 

“Bloomington joins our Warren County, Tenn., and Aiken County, S.C., facilities as the only three tire plants in the United States to achieve this prestigious accolade,” said Bob Walker, Executive Director, Health, Safety & Industrial Hygiene, BSAH. “These VPP Star awards demonstrate that we at Bridgestone Americas have outstanding safety systems.”

BFNT sister companies are also members of this elite club: Firestone Building Products, LLC (FSBP) facilities in Aurora, Colo., and Kingstree, S.C., and the Firestone Polymers, LLC facility in Lake Charles, La., are also Voluntary Protection Program Star sites.

About Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BFNT develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires. The company is focused on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off the road, motorcycle, agricultural and other tires to its customers in North America.