December 15, 2006 - Cascade Engineering's Industrial Solutions-Container Group received the Rising Star Award for exemplary workplace safety and health excellence from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) at a special ceremony today. The MIOSHA program is part of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG).

"Cascade Engineering thrives on finding solutions to tough challenges. Because of that commitment, they are leading the industry in the next generation of plastics engineering," said DLEG Director Robert W. Swanson. "We are honored to present this award to Cascade's Container Group-for using that same commitment to provide a safe and healthy environment for their workers."

Director Swanson and MIOSHA Acting Director Martha B. Yoder presented the award to Jeff Miles, Plant Manager; Sharon Darby, Human Resources Manager; Noah McGhee, Shift Supervisor; and Bob Card, Maintenance Department. Fred P. Keller, Chairman and CEO, Cascade Engineering, participated in the award ceremony.

"This award recognizes the strides we have made in shifting our corporate culture from one of reactive compliance to proactive change as we continue to operate within a framework of sustainable business practices," said Keller. "When a corporation dedicates itself to achieving this - or any - high standard of safety, it not only improves your effectiveness as a business but drives innovation across the company."

The Michigan Voluntary Protection Program (MVPP) Rising Star Award is given to companies that have an outstanding safety and health management system in place and have the desire and commitment to achieve the highest level, the Michigan Star Award. Only employers with the best safety and health programs are eligible for the MVPP Program.

"The team at Cascade Engineering is dedicated to working safely each and every day, and it is a great honor to be recognized by MIOSHA for our efforts," said Miles. "I would like to thank our staff for the commitment; time and energy they have shown in helping us achieve this industry-leading status. We also commend MIOSHA for taking a proactive approach on such an important issue - helping to increase safety standards around the state - rather than focusing simply on compliance."

MVPP Star sites must have incidence rates below the Michigan average for three years. Cascade Engineering Container Group's rates are below the Michigan industry average for two of the past three years for their SIC/NAICS code 3089/326199 - Plastics, Not Otherwise Classified. Their total incident rate (TCIR) was 3.6 for 2005, 6.6 for 2004, and 13.9 for 2003, compared to the Michigan rates of 10.3 for 2005 and 2004, and 7.2 for 2003. Their days away and restricted/transfer (DART) rate was 2.4 for 2005, 3.9 for 2004, and 5.0 for 2003, compared to the Michigan rates of 5.0 for 2005 and 2004, and 4.1 for 2003.

The MIOSHA Review Team conducted 13 formal and nine informal interviews during the site visit. The team examined each of the required elements of the plant's safety and health management system and found them to effectively address the scope and complexity of the hazards at the site. Among Cascade's best practices are their training of technical employees in performing mold change operations and their excellent housekeeping practices.

The facility has three "Rising Star" goals, which will qualify them for the Star Award:

• Find new and innovative ways of involving employees in the safety and health management system 
• Improve the documentation and tracking systems utilized for worksite analysis, hazard prevention and control, as well as the training elements of the site's safety and health management system 
• Achieve incidence rates below the Michigan average for a third year

On July 17, 2005, the Industrial Solutions-Container Group's facility received the Ergonomic Success Award from MIOSHA's Consultation Education & Training (CET) Division. The award recognizes employers for instituting ergonomic improvements and substantially reducing traumatic strain and sprain injuries and cumulative trauma disorder illnesses.

"National VPP sites experience 60 to 80 percent less lost work day injuries than would be expected of an average site in their industry," said Yoder. "Not only does the MVPP program significantly reduce injuries and illnesses-it also has a tremendous impact on the bottom line."

About Cascade Engineering: Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Cascade Engineering is shaping ideas in plastics through the development, engineering and manufacturing of plastics products. The Company is a leader in engineered plastic systems and components for the solid waste, automotive and industrial markets. The Company also produces components for OEM customers as well as Cascade Engineering branded products. Cascade Engineering is also widely recognized for its sustainable business and management practices.

The Cascade Engineering Industrial Solutions-Container facility produces a variety of plastic carts and containers for a broad spectrum of customers. The plastic injection molding facility employs nearly 90 workers and is a recognized leader in innovative systems solutions.

Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth press releases.