COLUMBIA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 11, 2005--The Grace Davison Lake Charles, Louisiana plant of W. R. Grace & Co. (NYSE:GRA) has earned membership in the prestigious "Star" Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

According to OSHA, the VPP recognizes and promotes effective workplace safety and health management. Membership in the VPP Star is OSHA's official recognition of exemplary occupational safety and health. VPP Star worksites must submit annual self-evaluations and undergo periodic onsite reevaluations every three to five years to remain in the program. The Lake Charles plant is one of approximately 1,143 VPP Star worksites out of more than 20 million worksites in the United States.

VPP Star members achieve average injury rates that are generally 50 percent lower than other worksites in their industries. The Lake Charles plant's injury and illness rate is 79 percent below the national average for the chemical industry. The rates are the result of a safety-first atmosphere at the plant and outstanding health and safety programs.

"We are very proud of our colleagues in Lake Charles. This award represents their continual focus on safety and a lot of hard work," commented William Corcoran, vice president of regulatory and public affairs who is responsible for Grace's health, safety and environmental programs. "Several years ago, we set out to make Grace one of the safest companies in the nation and this award demonstrates that we have achieved much of what we strived to do."

According to David Rentrop, the Lake Charles plant's Operations Director, "Employee participation and management commitment are the cornerstones of our successful VPP and safety program. Our union employees took ownership of the program and worked diligently to ensure that we accomplished our goal of OSHA designation as a VPP Star worksite. Without the dedication of all of our employees, we would not have made lasting improvements in our safety performance."

Michael Reed, an hourly employee and member of the Plant Negotiating (Union) Committee, VPP Steering Committee and Joint Health and Safety Committee, said, "The level of cooperation between Grace management and Union employees was extraordinary. Many benefits have been gained from this program, but the main goal of having everyone work, think, and be safe is the best reward of all."

The Lake Charles plant is a Grace Davison manufacturing facility that produces silica and alumina-based catalysts. It is the largest producer of fluid cracking catalysts in the world and employs approximately 345 workers and 90 onsite contractors. The plant was opened in April 1953 and recently celebrated its fiftieth anniversary.

Grace is a leading global supplier of catalysts and other products and services to petroleum refiners; catalysts for the manufacture of plastics; silica-based engineered and specialty materials for a wide-range of industrial applications; specialty chemicals, additives and materials for commercial and residential construction; and can sealants and coatings for food packaging. With annual sales of more than $2.2 billion, Grace has over 6,500 employees in nearly 40 countries. For more information, visit Grace's web site at www.grace.com

CONTACT: W. R. Grace & Co.
Media Relations:
Greg Euston
(212) 468-3734
greg.euston@mslpr.com

SOURCE: W. R. Grace & Co.