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Ashland Inc. Honors Excellence In Environment, Health and Safety

Ashland Inc. Honors Excellence In Environment, Health and Safety

Published 09-19-02

Submitted by Ashland, Inc.

COVINGTON, Ky., - For the eighth consecutive year, Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) honored a diverse group of employees and projects with its Chairman's Challenge Awards for demonstrating excellence in environment, health and safety practices.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001019/CHTH004LOGO
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020918/CHW008B )
The awards recognize excellence in eight categories related to environmental, health and safety practices. Ashland Inc. donates $1,000 in each of the winners' or winning team's name to a non-profit organization chosen by the winners.

Paul W. Chellgren, Ashland Inc. chairman and chief executive officer, presented the awards at a luncheon held today in conjunction with an Ashland Inc. board of directors meeting in Covington, Ky. James J. O'Brien, Ashland Inc. president and chief operating officer, and Glenn W Hammer, vice president of environment, health and safety for the company joined Chellgren in presenting the awards.

"For more than two years, Ashland Inc. has identified ourselves as 'the who in how things work'. In saying that, we recognize the efforts of our dedicated employees who help us achieve our financial and operating goals," said Chellgren. "But employees who demonstrate a true commitment to environmental stewardship may also markedly improve the financial and operating performance of our company, as well. We salute their creativity and their courage," Chellgren concluded.

A selection committee from industry and conservation groups reviewed 69 nominations from across the company. Nine winning projects, in eight categories, were judged to be exceptional. The 2002 Chairman's Challenge Awards winners are:

* Acts of Heroism. The heroic action of Lex Huie, an APAC, Inc. employee in Brashear, TX was recognized. Huie, while driving a concrete mixer truck, observed an accident where the driver of a large propane truck was seriously injured in the cab. He rescued the unconscious driver, and remained with him until an ambulance arrived.

* Distinctive Achievement. Robert Graham, a veteran 21-year APAC, Inc. employee in Darlington, S.C., and his wife, Betty Ruth, have given their time and money to work with the Department of Social Services to help needy children. Since 1991, they have assisted 28 children to return to their biological families, adopted two children, and become full-time, licensed childcare providers. In 1998, their license was upgraded to include therapeutic children.

* Wellness & Health. In an effort to provide a safer workplace for all their employees, the Special Projects Division of APAC-Virginia, Inc. developed a Health Day program to offer training in first aid, automated external defibrillation, CPR, and how to better deal with extreme heat and cold. A blood drive was also held in conjunction with the training. In all, 135 participants attended the eight hours of training.

* Community Activities. Cindy Hudson of Valvoline Instant Oil Change (VIOC) in Wixom, MI, decided that she could make a difference at the local level by supporting Big Brothers/Big Sisters. On her own initiative, she developed and organized a walk-a-thon, contacting vendors, supporters, VIOC employees, and local media. Her efforts generated over $50,000 for Big Brothers/Big Sisters. She also organized a fund raising effort at her VIOC station for Girl Scouts. With the purchase of an extra VIOC service, the customer received a free box of Girl Scout cookies. The effort raised $60,000 for needy Girl Scout and Brownie troops.

* Conservation/Habitat Enhancement. A former major oil production field for Ashland Petroleum has been improved by planting 200 acres of trees, 21 acres of sunflowers and millet, along with the construction of bird boxes and two wetland lagoons. The six-member team of Ashland Inc. Environment, Health & Safety employees responsible, headed by Project Director Bill Olasin, were also recognized for their efforts in 2001 by the Ky. Dept of Fish and Wildlife Resources, with the Kentucky Business Conservation Partner of Year Award.

* Pollution Prevention. A project team consisting of five Ashland Specialty Chemical employees at the Electronic Chemical Division in San Antonio, set a goal to provide increased chemical usage to a major customer, while decreasing waste and reducing the risk of employee injury. Through troubleshooting, the team decided to elevate the end of a drum roller ramp, to completely drain the valuable chemical from the drum. The project eliminated the need to dispose of 53,000 gallons of waste, and saved the customer nearly $4.9 million in 2000 and 2001.

* Product Stewardship. When research and technology develop new products and new formulations, all too frequently their notes and controls on the new formulation simply don't cover all the bases of the new formula. Enio Kumpinsky in Ashland Specialty Chemical's New Business Opportunity Group has developed a systematic way to address critical issues prior to commercialization. The checklist includes 186 questions in seven categories, a real asset for researchers who are making, blending or storing chemicals.

* Safety & Emergency Management. There are two winning entries in this category in 2002. The first award recognizes a team of Drew Industrial Division employees who have assisted the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Postal Service in the decontamination of federal office buildings by using chlorine dioxide gas. As a result of this work, a record of invention and patent application have been filed. The second award recognizes the effort of 25 environment, health and safety professionals who work each day responding to some 2,500 calls each year, regarding customer spills, injuries, accidents and chemical
exposures.

Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a Fortune 225 company providing products, services, and customer solutions throughout the world. Our businesses include road construction, specialty chemicals, lubricants, car-care products, chemical and plastics distribution and transportation fuels. Through the dedication of our employees, we are "The Who In How Things Work(TM)". Find us at http://www.ashland.com

Ashland, Inc.

Ashland, Inc.

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