Smurfit-Stone Facilities Achieve Safety Goals

CREVE COEUR, MO -- Four Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. facilities received top honors, and a total of 34 were recognized for outstanding safety achievement at the Pulp & Paper Safety Association's (PPSA) 66th annual Safety and Health Conference.

"Smurfit-Stone is extremely proud of its safety record and of the employees at these facilities," said President and Chief Operating Officer Steven J. Klinger. "Working safely is our top operating priority as we continue to work toward our goal of achieving an accident-free workplace."

Smurfit-Stone's Richmond-North, VA, container plant and Seattle, WA, recycling plant were recognized with "Best One-Year Safety Record" awards for having the lowest incident rates in their categories in 2008 as defined by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Both plants completed the year without any injuries.

Smurfit-Stone's Coshocton, OH, containerboard mill and Ft. Lauderdale, FL, recycling plant received "Most Improved" awards for having the most improved incident rates in their categories compared to their weighted average over the previous three years.

The PPSA is the only industry association dedicated solely to safety and the improvement of safety performance.

Smurfit-Stone completed its safest year in company history in 2008 by achieving a 0.94 recordable case rate (RCR), or less than one recordable injury per 100 full-time employees.

Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. is an integrated containerboard and corrugated packaging producer, and one of the world's largest paper recyclers.