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Shenzhen becomes first China plant to achieve one million hours without lost-time accident

Electrical Products Company's motor assembly plant in Shenzhen continuing its string of firsts in workplace safety became A. O. Smith's first facility in China to surpass one million hours without a lost-time accident.

The 1,000 Shenzhen employees were recognized for the achievement in a special ceremony today. Shenzhen began its accident-free streak on Feb. 9 and hit the million-hour mark on July 12. So far this year, the plant has worked approximately 1.3 million hours without a lost-time accident.

"Shenzhen has developed a strong, sustainable safety program over the last several years, emphasizing employee awareness, training, and machine safeguarding," Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Paul Jones wrote in a letter to employees. "Shenzhen's Safety Committee has also been instrumental in the plant's safety performance, particularly its efforts in investigating incidents and identifying corrective actions."

Over the last 12 months, the plant has conducted machine guarding projects in the press area, motor winding area, and in the motor testing areas.

To further monitor safe working practices, the plant's Safety Committee created a checklist used to evaluate each production area. The checklist includes use of personal protective equipment--such as safety glasses--proper equipment setup using machine guards, operating standards, and housekeeping. The committee also uses the checklist as part of the safety section of its new hire orientation program.

As part of its employee awareness campaign, the plant has installed new signage and first aid stations throughout the facility and has held regular evacuation drills.

In July, Shenzhen became the first China plant in A. O. Smith history to receive the President's Safety Award.

Shenzhen is the fourth A. O. Smith facility to reach the million-hour milestone during 2006. Also reaching the million-hour mark were EPC's Productos Electricos Aplicados plant in Acuña, IG-MEX Plant 6 in Juarez, and the Tipp City operation.