BORON, California - Borax, the world's leading supplier of refined borates, has reached an unprecedented two million hours working without a lost-time injury at its primary mine and refining operation in California's Mojave Desert. The company is also nearing a record of one million hours working safely among its global workforce.

"Safety is our top priority at Borax," said Chief Operating Officer Chris Robison. "Everybody starts his or her day discussing safety - from how to approach the day's work safely to ways to improve our underlying safety systems. We could not have achieved this safety milestone without the contribution of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 30, whose 600 members form the majority of our workforce here."

Borax's safety program focuses on preventing accidents and promoting safe behavior. Last year, the company instituted a program of reporting near misses, or incidents that have the potential to result in injury, environmental harm or property damage. Employees are encouraged to report near misses to their supervisors, who launch investigations to determining the root cause and appropriate corrective action.

Teams of Borax employees from around the world conduct system-wide safety audits to ensure operations comply with existing regulations, internal policies and best practices. The company also relies on safety experts from throughout Rio Tinto, one of the world's leading mining companies, and Borax's parent organization. Every salaried employee at Borax also conducts weekly safety audits that feature observation and collaboration to improve work practices and conditions.

This year, the company launched an occupational health program, which includes company-subsidized annual physical examinations and support for membership in local health clubs. The company will also introduce nutrition, weight loss and stress management counseling for employees later this year.

In 2001, the global organization achieved a 30 percent reduction in its lost-time injury rate, and the severity of injuries experienced by its nearly 1,500 employees worldwide.

"Our ultimate goal is zero injuries," said Robison. "We believe that everyone who works at Borax should go home as healthy as when they arrived for duty. We are also proud to announce that in the past two weeks we have set record production levels at our Boric Acid Plant. This milestone clearly demonstrates that safety and productivity go hand-in-hand."

About Borax
Borax's Boron Operations is home to one of the world's richest borate deposits. From this mine, Borax supplies nearly half the global demand for refined borates. The company is the acknowledged world leader borate chemistry and technology development. Borates are minerals containing boron, an essential micronutrient for plants and part of a healthy diet for people. Borates can be found in a wide variety of household and commercial products, including fiberglass, glass, ceramics, detergents, fertilizers and wood preservatives. Borax celebrated 130 years of continuous business in California this year and is part of the world's leading mining company, London-based Rio Tinto. For more information, please visit www.borax.com.