4.09.2007 - 08:00am ET

(CSRwire) FLORENCE, KY - April 9, 2007 - At a public ceremony today presided by Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., and Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher, L'Oréal USA's Florence Manufacturing facility in Florence, KY, received "Star" status under the prestigious Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) administered by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

VPP Status is awarded to companies with exemplary worksites with comprehensive, successful safety and health management systems that exceed government standards. L'Oréal USA's Florence manufacturing facility is the company's final one to receive a VPP designation, meaning that L'Oréal USA has now achieved VPP compliance in all six of its U.S. manufacturing facilities.

"We put the health and safety of our employees first, and have achieved VPP compliance in all of our manufacturing facilities with their active collaboration," says Vince Serpico, Senior Vice President, Corporate Manufacturing, L'Oréal USA. "The certification of our Florence, KY, facility is a further demonstration of our rigorous commitment to maintaining safe and productive work environments for our employees, our plants, and the communities in which we have facilities."

L'Oréal USA's Florence facility joins an elite corps of more than 1,600 worksites nationwide that have earned VPP status. Companies who receive VPP status are considered "role models" in their industry and have attained a high degree of management support and employee involvement, a high-quality worksite hazard analysis, prevention and control programs and comprehensive safety and health training for all employees.

Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Edwin G. Foulke Jr. said, "L'Oréal is clearly committed to protecting the safety and health of its employees and, with recognition of today's achievement, the company has set an extraordinary standard for other U.S. manufacturers. L'Oréal's investment in employee safety and health was the right thing to do, and I am certain it will provide great benefits in morale, productivity, and competitiveness."

"I congratulate the management team and the staff of L'Oréal USA for their diligence in making their facility a safe one," said Gov. Fletcher. "Extraordinary performance comes from site-specific safety and health programs that are provided by the employer and embraced by the employees. L’Oréal USA is commended for their commitment to workplace safety at each of their U.S. plants."

The VPP award reinforces L'Oréal USA's commitment to outstanding safety and health standards. In 2003, L'Oréal pledged to earn VPP 'Star' status for all its U.S. manufacturing facilities by 2008. Five of its six U.S. facilities now have VPP 'Star' status, and one has VPP 'Merit' status. Being a recognized VPP participant is especially beneficial for L'Oréal USA's valued employees and could not have been achieved without their participation. VPP status motivates employees, helps decrease worker’s compensation claims and reduces lost days due to on-the-job injuries. Over the past six years, compliance with the VPP program has helped L'Oréal USA reduce its rates of lost time and restricted duty accidents by over 70%.



NOTE TO EDITORS:

ABOUT L'ORÉAL USA

L'Oréal USA, headquartered in New York City, with 2006 sales of over $4 billion and 7,500 employees, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of L'Oréal SA, one of the world’s leading beauty companies. In addition to corporate headquarters in New York, L'Oréal USA has Research and Development, Manufacturing and Distribution facilities across seven states in the U.S., including New Jersey, Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, Ohio, Colorado and Texas.

L'Oréal's impressive portfolio of brands includes Lancôme, Giorgio Armani, Shu Uemura, L'Oréal Paris, Garnier, Vichy, Biotherm, La Roche-Posay, L'Oréal Professionnel and Kérastase. The U.S. is the base for the product development, international marketing and advertising for L'Oréal's eight American brands: Maybelline New York, Soft-Sheen.Carson, Kiehl’s Since 1851, Ralph Lauren, Redken 5th Avenue NYC, Matrix, Mizani and SkinCeuticals.


OSHA

The mission of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is to save lives, prevent injuries and protect the health of America's workers. To accomplish this, federal and state governments must work in partnership with the more than 100 million working men and women and their six and a half million employers who are covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.

The Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) promote effective worksite-based safety and health. In the VPP, management, labor, and OSHA establish cooperative relationships at workplaces that have implemented a comprehensive safety and health management system. Approval into VPP is OSHA's official recognition of the outstanding efforts of employers and employees who have achieved exemplary occupational safety and health.

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