Chrysler Group recognized by National Safety Council

Chrysler Group’s Sterling Heights (Mich.) Vehicle Test Center, Pacifica Advanced Product Design Center and Mopar’s Memphis Parts Distribution Center (PDC) have received the 2006 Safety Leadership Award from the National Safety Council. The Safety Leadership Award recognizes companies that have achieved five consecutive "Perfect Record" years, operating for at least 60 consecutive months without incurring an occupational injury or illness resulting in days away from work.

Additionally, the Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (AME) group – comprised of the Sterling Heights (Mich.) Vehicle Test Center, Pilot Operations and Conner Avenue (Detroit) Assembly – received the National Safety Council’s “Industry Leader Award” recognizing their accomplishment of lowest lost-workday injury rates compared to industry peers. Indiana Transmission Plant II and Mopar’s Warren and Atlanta PDCs also received the Industry Leader Award which is based on their 2005 performance.

"The Chrysler Group places a high priority on the safety of our employees. It is one of our core values and beliefs.” said James Thomas, director of health, safety and medical operations, Chrysler Group. “National recognition from outside organizations such as the National Safety Council helps validate our efforts. We are in fact making significant strides.”

The Chrysler Group is always looking for ways to ensure we have safe processes. As new products come to the market, potential issues pose a significant challenge in the manufacturing process. Early in the design stage, Advanced Manufacturing and the Advance Safety group work closely to identify hazards and provide appropriate protection measures. By looking at statistics from prior model years, the teams incorporate safety features into the manufacturing process. Additionally, an extensive focus is placed on ergonomics by ensuring work stations are designed properly for operator health and safety. These initiatives are tracked from the initial concept process though to final production.

“A great amount of safety emphasis is applied at the early stages to engineer processes properly,” added Thomas. “We want to ensure the appropriate level of safety protection and enhanced ergonomics are incorporated.”

In addition to these honors, awards relating to 2006 safety performance will be released early next week by the National Safety Council. The Chrysler Group anticipates receiving a number of those awards.

The National Safety Council (NSC) is a non-profit, nongovernmental, international public service organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting health. The NSC is a membership organization, founded in 1913 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1953. Members include more than 50,000 businesses, labor organizations, schools, public agencies, private groups and individuals. DaimlerChrysler has been a member of the NSC since 1922.