XOM Exxon Mobil Corp

ExxonMobil Lubricant & Specialties' Port Allen Lube Oil Blend Plant has been awarded Star status in the U.S. Occupational Safety Heath Administration's (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Program. The OSHA recognition certifies that the Port Allen facility has: -- Implemented comprehensive, successful safety and health management systems, and -- Achieved injury/illness rates below industry's national average. "We have many business priorities, but there is none greater than a safe work environment," said Mark McLellan, Port Allen plant manager. "Reaching this key milestone and certification involved a lot of hard work from our entire workforce, but the rewards are well worth it. It recognizes that we set high expectations for safety, and that we will settle for nothing less than flawless performance." "ExxonMobil's Port Allen Lube Oil Blending Plant has demonstrated excellence in effective safety and health management," said OSHA Area Director Greg Honaker. "Their outstanding achievement includes almost four years without a lost time incident." The Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) promotes effective worksite-based safety and health. In the VPP, management, labor and OSHA establish cooperative relationships at workplaces that have implemented a comprehensive safety and health management system. Approval into the VPP is OSHA's recognition of the efforts of employers and employees who have achieved exemplary occupational safety and health practices. OSHA approves qualified worksites that address unique safety and health issues to one of three programs: Star, Merit, and Star Demonstration. Sites that make the grade must submit annual self-evaluations and undergo periodic onsite reevaluations to remain in the program. Statistical evidence for VPP's success is impressive. One such measurement for VPP participants -- Days Away Restricted or Transferred -- has an average worksite case rate 52 percent below the average for the industry. Fifteen other ExxonMobil facilities in the U.S. have received Star certification and participate in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program. The Port Allen Lubricants Plant is a modern circa 1990 lube blending, packaging and warehouse operation providing engine oils, industrial lubricants and process oils to customers throughout the world. ExxonMobil is a trademark of Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) or one of its subsidiaries.