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Commitment to Safety Results in Industry Gold Award (04/13/10)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Robby Johnson, Marketing Manager
(205) 562-5445; [email protected]

COMMITMENT TO SAFETY RESULTS IN INDUSTRY GOLD AWARD

Tuscaloosa, Ala. -- Demonstrating its commitment to a core value – safety – The Westervelt Company has been awarded insurance provider Liberty Mutual Group's prestigious Gold Award for its 2009 performance, which placed the organization within the top 15% of its industry.

Earning a DART Rate (an OSHA acronym for "Days Away, Restrictions and Transfers") of .37, The Westervelt Company completed significantly better safety performance than its industry peers. Liberty Mutual considers these results outstanding, and reflective of the organization's commitment to the safety and health of all employees.

"Our commitment to safe practices is part of our 126 year-old culture," said Mike Case, President & CEO of The Westervelt Company. "Our current business pursuits – natural resources, forestry, wood products, outdoor recreation, and ecological services – are not without potential safety hazards, so eliminating injuries in the workplace through a proactive safety awareness and hazard prevention program is our top priority."

"We are especially proud of the improvements made at Westervelt Lumber, our Moundville, Alabama, lumber facility, which produces SFI Chain of Custody certified Southern Yellow Pine wood products," Case said.

With 3 recordable incidents, none of which resulted in lost time, in 2009, the company documented its most successful year in sustaining a safe work environment, receiving assistance from Liberty Mutual in identifying loss sources, recommending improvements to the existing safety program, and providing safety training for supervisors.

"Creating a safe work environment is a concerted effort which must be actively addressed each day. Receiving the Gold Award is a highlight for our program, and increases our standards for performance," Case said.

The award was presented by Mark Touhey, Loss Control Senior Vice President and General Manager for Liberty Mutual Group on March 25, 2010 in Tuscaloosa.

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