Chrysler Group Facilities Recognized by National Safety Council for Safety Achievements
More than 100 locations receive awards for year-over-year safety improvements in 2003
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., March 24 -- Chrysler Group and the United Auto Workers (UAW) have been recognized by the National Safety Council (NSC), a leading independent authority, for the company's continued effort to improve its safety record. One hundred and one Chrysler Group facilities were singled out for significant year-over-year improvements in 2003, contributing to a 70 percent reduction of injury and lost-time cases since 1999.
"With the inception of a joint program in 1999 between Chrysler Group and UAW called 'Bringing Excellence to Safety Teams' -- or BEST -- we've seen commitments from both management and union to deliver results," said Nate Gooden, UAW Vice President and Director of the DaimlerChrysler Department. "We are proud of the outcomes that BEST has helped us to achieve, and remain focused on even greater improvement in 2004."
Chrysler Group's performance in 2003 shows the continued emphasis it places on workplace safety. By delivering improved year-over-year results, 101 facilities earned a "Green Cross for Excellence," "Perfect" or "Significant Improvement" award.
The Green Cross for Excellence award is given to facilities that realized a 50 percent or better rate of improvement by reducing the number of injury- related lost work days, compared to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics annual average for manufacturing/industrial companies. In 2003, 39 Chrysler Group locations received the Green Cross for Excellence.
In 2003, the Perfect award went to 12 of the company's facilities which had zero lost-work-time injuries at the facility, tripling the number from 2002.
Significant Improvement awards were given to work sites that exhibited at least a 20 percent reduction in lost-work-time injuries from the prior year. Fifty-one Chrysler Group work sites received that award.
The BEST process is changing the safety culture at the Chrysler Group, extending responsibility for preventing injuries from top management to the shop floor. It provides a standardized approach at all facilities that is designed to identify and correct potential hazards through regular meetings of union and management representatives, safety inspections and injury reviews.
"At Chrysler Group, safety is a core value and belief that drives how we operate and affects our overall performance," said John Franciosi, Chrysler Group Senior Vice President - Employee and Labor Relations. "With the support from our partners at the UAW, we've created an environment in which the importance of safety has become second nature to our employees. The results speak for themselves: more than 30 new locations were recognized by the NSC for 2003 performance, compared to 2002."
Last September, Chrysler Group was named one of America's 16 Safest Companies by Occupational Hazards magazine. The award was presented for the company's efforts to provide a safe and healthy workplace for employees. It was the first time that an automaker was named to the list.
The National Safety Council is a private, non-profit international organization founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress in 1953. The Council and its more than 60 Chapters have the mission of promoting policies and practices that can help reduce unintentional injuries and deaths in workplaces, on the highways, in the home and community. The Council serves more than 37,000 member organizations and individuals.
Green Cross for Excellence
DaimlerChrysler Tech Center - Auburn Hills, Michigan
Pacifica - Carlsbad, California
Arizona Proving Grounds - Wittman, Arizona
Jeep Truck Engineering - Detroit, Michigan
Toledo North Assembly - Toledo, Ohio
Quality Engineering Center - Detroit, Michigan
Centerline Parts Distribution Center - Center Line, Michigan
Warren Parts Distribution Center - Warren, Michigan
Marysville Parts Distribution Center - Marysville, Michigan
Detroit Parts Distribution Center - New Boston, Michigan
Orlando Parts Distribution Center - Orlando, Florida
Memphis Parts Distribution Center - Memphis, Tennessee
St. Louis Parts Distribution Center - Hazelwood, Missouri
DaimlerChrysler Transport - Detroit, Michigan
Toledo CTI - Toledo, Ohio
Sterling Heights Vehicle Test Center - Sterling Heights, Michigan
Jefferson North Assembly - Detroit, Michigan
Belvidere Assembly - Belvidere, Illinois
DaimlerChrysler Pilot Plant - Auburn Hills, Michigan
Indianapolis Foundry - Indianapolis, Indiana
Kokomo Casting - Kokomo, Indiana
Trenton Engine Plant
Mack Avenue Engine - Detroit, Michigan
Mack Avenue Engine 2 - Detroit, Michigan
Detroit Axle - Detroit, Michigan
Kokomo Transmission - Kokomo, Indiana
Indiana Transmission - Kokomo, Indiana
Warren Stamping - Warren, Michigan
Twinsburg Stamping - Twinsburg, Ohio
Mount Elliot Tool & Die - Detroit, Michigan
Conner Avenue Assembly - Detroit, Michigan
Huntsville Electronics - Huntsville, Alabama
Administration & Engineering - Auburn Hills, Michigan
Advanced Manufacturing Engineering - Auburn Hills, Michigan
Component Business Operations - Auburn Hills, Michigan
Engine/Foundry/Axle Division - Auburn Hills, Michigan
National Parts Distribution Center, - Centerline, Michigan
Powertrain Operations - Auburn Hills, Michigan
Transmission/Casting Division - Auburn Hills, Michigan
Perfect Record
Arizona Proving Grounds - Wittman, Arizona
Pacifica - Carlsbad, California
Jeep Truck Engineering - Detroit, Michigan
Conner Avenue Assembly - UAW Local 212 - Detroit, Michigan
Sterling Heights Vehicle Test Center - Sterling Heights, Michigan
Toledo CTI - Toledo, Ohio
Kokomo Casting - Kokomo, Indiana
Memphis Parts Distribution Center - Memphis, Tennessee
St. Louis Parts Distribution Center - Hazelwood, Missouri
Detroit Parts Distribution Center - New Boston, Michigan
Quality Improvement Center - Detroit, Michigan
DaimlerChrysler Technology Center - Auburn Hills, Michigan
Significant Improvement
Arizona Proving Grounds - Wittman, Arizona
Chelsea Proving Grounds - Chelsea, Michigan
Pacifica - Carlsbad, California
DaimlerChrysler Technical Center - Auburn Hills, Michigan
Jeep Truck Engineering - Detroit, Michigan
Administration & Engineering - Auburn Hills, Michigan
Conner Avenue Assembly - Detroit, Michigan
Mount Elliot Tool & Die - Detroit, Michigan
Advanced Manufacturing Engineering - Auburn Hills, Michigan
Component Business Operations - Auburn Hills, Michigan
Toledo North Assembly - Toledo, Ohio
Toledo Assembly - Toledo, Ohio
St. Louis North Assembly - St. Louis, Missouri
Warren Truck Assembly - Warren, Michigan
Truck & Activity Vehicle Division - Auburn Hills, Michigan
Belvidere Assembly - Belvidere, Illinois
St. Louis South Assembly - St. Louis, Missouri
Small Premium Family Division - Auburn Hills, Michigan
Jeep Truck Large Small Platform - Auburn Hills, Michigan
Sterling Stamping - Sterling Heights, Michigan
Assembly & Stamping Division - Auburn Hills, Michigan
Indianapolis Foundry - Indianapolis, Indiana
Kenosha Engine - Kenosha, Wisconsin
Mack Avenue Engine 2 - Detroit, Michigan
Indiana Transmission - Kokomo, Indiana
Kokomo Casting - Kokomo, Indiana
Kokomo Transmission - Kokomo, Indiana
Transmission/Casting/Machining Division - Auburn Hills, Michigan
Powertrain Operations - Auburn Hills, Michigan
New Process Gear - Syracuse, New York
Newark Parts Distribution Center - Newark, Delaware
Atlanta Parts Distribution Center - Morrow, Georgia
Chicago Parts Distribution Center - Naperville, Illinois
Minneapolis Parts Distribution Center - Plymouth, Minnesota
Midwest Parts Distribution Centers - Centerline, Michigan
Fontana Parts Distribution Center - Fontana, California
West Parts Distribution Centers - Centerline, Michigan
St. Louis Parts Distribution Center - Hazelwood, Missouri
Detroit Parts Distribution Center - New Boston, Michigan
Orlando Parts Distribution Center - Orlando, Florida
San Francisco Parts Distribution Center - Lathrop, California
Pilot Site Parts Distribution Centers - Centerline, Michigan
Field Site Parts Distribution Centers - Centerline, Michigan
Centerline Parts Distribution Center - Centerline, Michigan
Marysville Parts Distribution Center - Marysville, Michigan
Milwaukee Parts Distribution Center - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Warren Parts Distribution Center - Centerline, Michigan
National Parts Distribution Centers - Centerline, Michigan
Parts Distribution Centers - Centerline, Michigan
Quality Improvement Center - Detroit, Michigan
DaimlerChrysler Transport - Detroit, Michigan