COLUMBIA, Md., Apr 19, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Edison, New Jersey facility of W. R. Grace & Co. (NYSE:GRA) has earned membership in the prestigious Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at the "Star", or highest level.

The Voluntary Protection Program is OSHA's official recognition of exemplary occupational safety and health. Companies in the VPP achieve average injury rates 50 percent lower than other companies in their respective industries. The Edison facility's total case incident rate and lost time rate are both 0.0. The facility has not had a lost time injury in more than 25 years.

The Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA approved VPP Star status for the site on February 26, 2007. The company officially received the award during a recent ceremony attended by OSHA Region 2 VPP Manager Mike Levy, Grace President & CEO Fred Festa and Plant Manager David Bamford, among several others.

The facility is a manufacturing location for polyolefin catalysts and catalyst supports that are essential components in the manufacture of resins used for a wide variety of industrial and consumer plastic applications. It is the second Grace location to earn the VPP distinction, joining a manufacturing plant in Lake Charles, Louisiana that secured VPP status in 2005.

"Our Edison colleagues have achieved an impressive safety record and we're proud of their accomplishments," remarked William Corcoran, Vice President of Public and Regulatory Affairs with responsibility for Grace's health, safety and environmental programs. "The VPP membership was only possible due to our colleagues' dedicated focus and a shared safety-first workplace."

Grace is a leading global supplier of catalysts and other products 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 building materials for commercial and residential construction; and sealants and coatings for food and beverage packaging. With annual sales of more than $2.8 billion, Grace has about 6,500 employees and operations in over 40 countries. For more information, visit Grace's web site at www.grace.com.

SOURCE: W. R. Grace & Co.

W. R. Grace & Co.
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Greg Euston, +1 404-870-6809
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