Contact: Paula Weis
(202) 974-5282

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPI/OSHA Alliance Yields Comprehensive Training CD Designed for Plastics Processors

WASHINGTON (September 22, 2004) - SPI has compiled on CD a collection of machine safety training materials that will be distributed at no cost to attendees of Plastics USA 2004, September 28-30, 2004, in Chicago.

The train-the-trainer materials were developed over the last year and a half with the input of Wayne Wilson, corporate safety training director for SPI member United Southern Industries, and Jim Washam, Region V OSHA, and are a product of SPI's strategic alliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Each course includes two sections - machine guarding and lockout-tagout - and was created specifically for the extrusion, thermoforming and injection molding sectors of the plastics industry. Formatted as downloadable Power Point modules, the training programs describe types of injuries typically seen in these industry sectors, discuss the possible causes of these injuries and explain the ways that employees can protect themselves.

"Our focus is on helping small- to medium-sized processors who are looking to maximize their limited training resources," said Susan Howe, SPI's senior technical director of worker health and safety, "These training materials do just that. They can be easily modified to fit any facility and you just can't find materials this machine-specific for the plastics industry anywhere else."

To learn more, link to the Web at www.plasticsindustry.org/public/worksafe/alliance.htm or stop by the SPI/OSHA Alliance booth at Plastics USA to meet the developers of this unique training program. For information about SPI's worker safety programs, contact Susan Howe, (202) 974-5223; e-mail showe@socplas.org.

Founded in 1937, The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc., is the trade association representing one of the largest manufacturing industries in the United States. SPI's members represent the entire plastics industry supply chain, including processors, machinery and equipment manufacturers and raw materials suppliers. The U.S. plastics industry employs 1.4 million workers and provides nearly $310 billion in annual shipments. For more information, visit SPI on the Web at www.plasticsindustry.org.

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