Global specialty chemicals producer Orion S.A. has received 10 safety awards from the International Carbon Black Association, which each year recognizes companies that have superior safety records at their manufacturing sites. 

The ICBA said Orion “set the benchmark” for the carbon black industry for employee health and safety. The awards are part of the association’s Safety Recognition Program, a voluntary initiative based on verified data from the previous year.

“Safety is our highest priority at our sites and throughout our company,” Orion CEO Corning Painter said. “As we continue to focus our capital investments more on maintenance and reliability across our global operations, we expect to build on our success with safety.” 

Eight Orion plants won Gold Awards. The sites were in Belpre, Ohio; Berre-l'Étang, France; Huaibei, China; Ivanhoe, Louisiana; Jaslo, Poland; Paulinia, Brazil; Ravenna, Italy; and Yeosu, South Korea.

Facilities earning Gold Awards must fulfill a variety of criteria, including receiving globally recognized safety certifications, having no regulatory citations for safety-related events, audits or activities, among other requirements. 

Two additional Orion plants — in Orange, Texas, and Qingdao, China — received Bronze Awards for recording zero “Lost Work Day” cases, defined as nonfatal occupational injuries or illnesses that result in missed workdays.  

“The ICBA’s recognition reflects our employees’ unwavering commitment and belief that achieving a consistently injury-free workplace is both attainable and a core value of our company,” said Carlos Quinones, senior vice president of Global Operations at Orion. 

For more information, check the ICBA’s website: www.carbon-black.org/new-blog/icba-announces-safety-award-winners.