AIAG's Newest Initiative Tackles Occupational Health & Safety Issues

    SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Jan. 25 To bring attention to global
occupational health and safety issues in the automotive industry, reduce the
number of work-related injuries and improve overall work environments, the
Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) announced today the formation of a new
initiative in the area of occupational health and safety.
    "We hope the guidelines and standards that AIAG defines will help save
lives and improve work environments throughout the automotive supply chain,"
said Kenneth W. Godzina, AIAG executive director.  "The automotive industry
spends billions of dollars each year on work-related injuries and illnesses.
With this new initiative, AIAG will help play a role in identifying key health
and safety issues and in educating the supply chain on how to reduce and
prevent these injuries and illnesses."
    According to Godzina, the guidelines and standards will also help the
automotive industry reduce worker's compensation costs.  Other benefits
expected from the initiative include common specifications, cost-effective
approaches to global issues, labor harmonization and a common voice to
influence national standards bodies.
    The initiative has been given the support of General Motors Corp., Ford
Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler Corp.
    "Employee safety is an overriding priority at General Motors, and we are
proud of our achievements in reducing injury and illness," said Donald E.
Hackworth, GM senior vice president and group executive, North America Car
Group.  "Using AIAG as a forum to deal with common problems in the auto
industry will further help to reduce risks in the workplace."
    "Employee health and safety is a fundamental value for a corporation,"
said David L. Murphy, vice president, Human Resources for Ford.  "Ford Motor
Company is in full support of establishing a standing committee at AIAG for
occupational health and safety."
    "Employee safety is of paramount importance at DaimlerChrysler and is
incorporated as a critical element of our operating principles," said James
Thomas, director of Health and Safety and Legislative Affairs for
DaimlerChrysler.  "Having the opportunity to work collaboratively on health
and safety issues will produce favorable results for the companies, employees
and consumers."
    This initiative will be overseen by the AIAG Occupational Health & Safety
Steering Committee, currently being formed.  The committee will be responsible
for supervising work groups which will focus on key safety issues in the
automotive industry and further educating the supply chain on these issues.
    The initial work groups are:
    *  Industrial Truck Operator Restraint & Pedestrian Safety Guidelines;
    *  Machine/Energy Controls Best Practices;
    *  Industrial Guarding of Machinery Guideline;
    *  Hazmat (Handling of Hazardous Materials Guidelines); and
    *  Optimum Shipping & Receiving System.

    Additional work groups will be formed as other issues related to
occupational health and safety arise.
    The new steering committee will also hold numerous occupational health and
safety related sessions at AIAG's 2001 AUTO-TECH Conference & Exhibition
slated for Aug. 28-30 at Detroit's Cobo Center.
    AIAG members interested in joining the work groups can contact Ron
Tillinger at 248-358-3570.
    Founded in 1982, the AIAG is a not-for-profit trade association of over
1,600 automotive and truck manufacturers and their suppliers.  AIAG's purpose
is to provide an open forum where members cooperate in developing and
promoting solutions that enhance the prosperity of the automotive industry.
Its focus is to continuously improve business processes and practices
involving trading partners throughout the supply chain.
    More information about the AIAG and its initiatives can be found at
http://www.aiag.org .