National Safety Council Gives GM an Award For Manufacturing Health and Safety
16 June 2000
National Safety Council Gives General Motors A 'Significant Improvement Award' For Manufacturing Health and Safety
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - General Motors has received a prestigious "Significant
Improvement Award" for occupational safety and health from the National Safety
Council. The award was presented on the basis of 1999 data submitted for
General Motors' U.S. manufacturing operations in North America and is one of the
highest awards given by the National Safety Council.
According to the NSC, the award was earned, "for significantly reducing
the operation's 1999 incident rates as compared to a combination of the
1996-1998 incident rates for its own record and that of the industry." In all
categories measured, General Motors significantly exceeded the improvement
standards by significant numbers.
"We are gratified by this significant award by the National Safety
Council, which recognizes the commitment that we at General Motors have made
to making health and safety of our employees a number one priority," said Gary
Cowger, GM Group Vice President - Labor Relations.
"More importantly, achieving this award recognizes the tremendous progress
that we have made in this crucial area working closely in partnership with the
UAW," Cowger added.
"The UAW is proud of this National Safety Council award, and we are
equally proud of the substantial health and safety improvements that are being
experienced by UAW members in General Motors facilities across the U.S.," said
Richard Shoemaker, UAW Vice President and Director of the UAW General Motors
Department.
"The health and safety of UAW members is at the top of our agenda and I am
pleased that the joint efforts of the UAW and General Motors have resulted in
these impressive and noticeable improvements," Shoemaker stated.
Joe Spielman, GM Vice-President and General Manager Metal Fabricating
Division and Chair of the Manufacturing Managers Council had this to say about
the award, "This demonstrates what can happen when manufacturing leadership
works collaboratively with the UAW on something that is absolutely right for
our employees.
"This award recognizes not only the efforts of the joint leadership but
also the efforts of our employees who work safely each day."
The National Safety Council is a world-renowned organization, which was
established 87 years ago by an act of Congress. This organization has over
37,000 member companies that employ over 20 million persons. Annually, it
recognizes achievements in preventing occupational injuries.
The International Union, UAW and General Motors have an extensive, joint
health and safety program in all U.S. facilities represented by the UAW. The
contractually established program is administered by the UAW-GM Health and
Safety Center, located in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
The health and safety center is part of the UAW-GM Center for Human
Resources, which operates a wide variety of joint programs and activities
focused on health and safety, training and skill development, employee
educational opportunities, work and family issues and product quality.
GM Health and Safety Performance Data Submitted to National Safety Council
Incident Rates
Deaths and Days Total
Cases Involving Away Cases
Days Away From
From Work Work
1. Unit incident rates
for 1999 0.61 23.65 8.29
2. Unit incident rates
for 3 prior years 1.18 36.93 11.85
3. Motor vehicle parts and
accessory Industry
rates for 1996-1998 1.93 42.17 21.82
4. PAR rates (the 1/2 sum
of lines 2 and 3) 1.56 39.55 16.84
5. Percent this unit's 1999
rates changed from PAR -60.90% -40.20% -50.77%
6. Percent better than PAR
required for this unit
to achieve
A Noteworthy Safety
Performance: -17.00% -10.00% 15.0%
An Outstanding Safety
Performance: -37.00% -30.00% 15.00%