Mississauga, Ontario – April 22, 2008 – IAPA (Industrial Accident Prevention Association) presented John Deere Welland Works of Welland, Ontario and Honeywell Specialty Chemicals of Amherstburg, Ontario with its prestigious President’s Award in recognition of their health and safety excellence today at Health & Safety Canada 2008, Canada’s largest health and safety conference and trade show.

“John Deere Welland Works and Honeywell Specialty Chemicals are receiving the President’s Award because they have successfully made health and safety both a core value and priority at their respective firms. They are fine models of healthy workplaces in Ontario,” says Maureen Shaw, President & CEO, IAPA. “Reducing and eliminating workplace injuries, illness, and deaths requires an investment in health and safety and most importantly, the people. The two winners are to be commended for reaching this milestone and also for raising the bar on health and safety excellence.”

The President’s Award, exclusive to IAPA member firms, was first presented in 2007. To be eligible for the award, firms must complete a comprehensive self-assessment report detailing their health and safety management systems and performances, and pass an IAPA on-site verification. Criteria for the President’s Award include:

• Zero charges and convictions under the Occupational Health and Safety Act or the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) for two years prior the date the award is issued.
• Zero critical workplace injuries or fatalities.
• Total lost-time injury/illness rate that is at least 25% less than that of similar businesses in their WSIB rate group average two years prior to the application deadline of February 15, 2008.
• Illustrate how health and safety best practices and knowledge are used to benefit the community.

John Deere Welland Works core products include front loaders for both agricultural and compact utility tractors, rotary cutters, and utility vehicles. Health and safety best practices at the firm include training schedules for all employees, root cause analysis and reporting for all injuries and near-miss incidents, and weekly meetings with the general manager to discuss health and safety.

Honeywell Specialty Chemicals ’ Amherstburg facility uses, produces, and transports Hydrogen Fluoride, a chemical used in processes such as the manufacturing of nuclear fuel, stainless steel, and quartz purification. Given the sensitivity of the material Honeywell Specialty Chemicals produces and exports, extra health and safety precautions must be taken by both the firm and clients in the handling of the products. The firm’s health and safety management system includes comprehensive on and off site emergency procedures, readily available emergency equipment, and advanced training and skills tracking programs.

About the 2008 President’s Award Recipients

John Deere (Deere & Company - NYSE:DE) is the world's leading provider of advanced products and services for agriculture and forestry and a major provider of advanced products and services for construction, lawn and turf care, landscaping, and irrigation. John Deere also provides financial services worldwide and manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has extended its heritage of integrity, quality, commitment, and innovation around the globe.

Honeywell International is a $32 billion diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services, control technologies for buildings, homes, and industry, automotive products, turbochargers, and specialty materials. Honeywell Specialty Chemicals is part of Honeywell Specialty Materials, a global leader in providing customers with high-performance specialty materials, including fluorine products, specialty films and additives, advanced fibers and composites, intermediates, specialty chemicals, electronic materials and chemicals, and technologies and materials for petroleum refining.

IAPA is a not-for-profit, member driven organization operating in Ontario since 1917. Representing approximately 50,000 member firms and more than 1.5 million Ontario workers, IAPA is one of Canada’s leadi

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For more information, contact:

Lena Wan
Communications & PR Specialist, IAPA
Tel: 905-614-4272, ext. 2247
E-mail: lwan@iapa.ca