Document ZBeNGw3549oXzZJXqL7rxn6aJ

NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: John Opdycke Edward Howard & Co. (216) 376-6500 VINYL INSTITUTE NAMES 1991'S TOP SAFETY. ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMERS WAYNE, New Jersey, June 12, 1992 -- For the second straight year, the vinyl industry's ongoing efforts to improve worker safety and protect the environment have resulted in a record number of awards from the Vinyl Institute, the national trade association representing the leading manufacturers of vinyl (PVC, or polyvinyl chloride), vinyl feedstocks, additives, and film and sheet products. Each year, the Institute recognizes those member companies that have made the most outstanding contributions to the safe production of vinyl plastics. This year's awards recognize performance during 1991. This year, the association also presented two special awards: the Vinyl Institute Environmental Excellence Award, established to recognize those companies that have won first-place environmental achievement awards for five consecutive years, and the Vinyl Institute's Safety Award, given to recognize outstanding contributions toward improved safety and/or health within the vinyl industry. The Borden Chemicals & Plastics "VCM A" plant in Geismar, Louisiana, and the BFGoodrich PVC plant in Deerpark, Texas, received the association's first Environmental Excellence awards for their five-year records of performance. Occidental Chemical won the Institute's Safety Award for leadership in organizing VCNet, the industry's mutual aid (more) The Vinyl Institute, A Division of The Society of the Plastics Industry The onginal copy of this document printed on recycled paper. CTL007391 transportation program established this year to maintain rail safety for the shipment of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) -- the raw material used to manufacture vinyl plastics. VCNet members help develop emergency response plans, train local emergency response personnel and share information about other issues and regulations related to the safe transport of VCM. Roger Hirl, president and chief executive officer of Occidental Chemical, accepted the award. Seven companies won the Institute's yearly environmental achievement award, which is designed to measure a plant's ability to control and minimize vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) emissions and is modeled on the US. Environmental Protection Agency's National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants. This year's award winners are: Borden Chemicals & Plastics, for its VCM plant in Geismar, Louisiana CertainTeed Corporation, for its PVC plant in Lake Charles, Louisiana Georgia Gulf Corporation, for its VCM plant in Plaquemine, Louisiana The BFGoodrich Company, for its PVC plants in Avon Lake, Ohio; Deer Park, Texas; Louisville, Kentucky; and Plaquemine, Louisiana Occidental Chemical Corporation, for its Burlington South PVC plant in Burlington, New Jersey and its VCM plant in Deer Park, Texas Shintech Inc, for its PVC plant in Freeport, Texas Vista Chemical Company, for its PVC plant in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Eight companies won the Institute's worker safety award, which is based on the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) recordable incidence rate. As defined by OSHA, a recordable incidence rate involves on-the-job injuries and illnesses resulting in medical treatment. This year's award winners are: (more) CTL007392 -3 Borden Chemicals & Plastics, for its VCM A Plant in Geismar, Louisiana CertainTeed Corporation, for its PVC plant in Sulphur, Louisiana Dow Chemical Company, for its VCM II Plant in Plaquemine, Louisiana Georgia Gulf Corporation, for its VCM plant in Plaquemine, Louisiana The BFGoodrich Company, for its PVC plant in Henry, minois Occidental Chemical Corporation, for its VCM plant in Deer Park, Texas PPG Industries, for its EDC/VCM plant in Lake Charles, Louisiana Vista Chemical Company, for its PVC plant in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma The awards were presented May 27 at the Institute's annual meeting. The Vinyl Institute is a division of The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. and is headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey. ### CTL007393