Dubai, Middle East - April 28th, 2010 -- Accidents and injuries in the workplace have remained startlingly common in countries experiencing rapid industrialization, or those without effective regulatory frameworks for occupational safety and health. In light of this, the International Labour Organization has urged increased vigilance in workplace safety.

DuPont is marking the World Day for Safety and Health at Work by announcing a call for applications for the 2010 DuPont Safety Awards, an annual competition recognizing companies that have taken extraordinary steps to enhance workplace safety throughout Europe, Middle East and Africa. The awards are designed to motivate companies to reassess the role of safety within their operations, using it as a catalyst to achieve sustainability and improve their bottom line.

Awards will be given in five categories: Sustainable Business Impact, Cultural Evolution, Visible Management Commitment, Innovative Approach and Performance Improvement. Application details can be found under www.leadersforum.dupont.com/awards.

Previous winners of the DuPont Safety Awards, established in 2002, include Egyptian LNG [ELNG]-Egypt's largest liquefied natural gas company.  ELNG was a 2009 winner in the category of Cultural Evolution. ELNG developed a behaviour-based safety program entitled "WOSSIT" - Weekly Observation Site Safety Inspection Tour Program - in which regular site tours and weekly training sessions to monitor improvement served to reinforce safe behaviour in the workplace and maintain a continuous dialogue on safety issues.

Indeed, safety in the workplace has been a "long-standing hallmark of DuPont." According to Johan van der Westhuyzen, DuPont Sustainable Solutions - Turkey, Middle East and North Africa, "DuPont has focused on safety for more than 208 years, and we are proud to bring that knowledge to our clients every day across a broad range of global markets and industries.  Our range of solutions helps companies and organizations to develop a safe workplace and workforce, and thereby reap the benefits of increased worker morale and an improved bottom line."

Companies throughout the world, such as Engro Chemicals of Pakistan, have worked with DuPont to create a truly sustainable safety management system.  By adopting new process safety procedures and instilling a vibrant safety culture, Engro was able to decrease injury rates by 76 percent between 2006 and 2008, while also posting impressive business growth data.

DuPont is a partner of choice for key industries in the Middle East, particularly the oil and gas industry.  Using its own experience in implementing effective safety programs as an owner/operator in this industry, DuPont is in a unique position to help others in their journey to safety excellence.  Among the companies that have partnered with DuPont to improve their safety performance are the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, MOL Group, ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips.

As societal expectations for improved workplace safety rise, it is vital that companies improve safety performance by embracing safety as a core value. DuPont is proud to facilitate progress towards the greater goal of reducing human suffering and societal cost related to injuries and accidents in the workplace.

-Ends-

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere.  Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

For further information, please contact:
Orient Planet PR & Marketing Communications
Tel: +971 43988901
Fax: +971 43988941
P.O.Box 23345, Dubai, UAE
Email: media@orientplanet.com
Website: www.orientplanet.com

© Press Release 2010