DuPont to Serve as Premier Sponsor of the XVII "World Safety Congress"

WILMINGTON, Del. and ORLANDO, Fla.,  February 09, 2005  — 
National Safety Council to host first "World Congress on Safety and Health at Work" to be held in the U.S.; World leaders from government, labor, industry to discuss new research, trends, best practices and innovations

DuPont today announced that it will serve as the premier sponsor of the XVII "World Congress on Safety and Health at Work" Sept. 18-22 in Orlando – the first time the global event will be held in the United States.

The World Congress, which is held every three years, draws together several thousand key leaders and influencers of workplace safety policy from government, labor and industry to present and discuss emerging safety and health research, trends, best practices and innovations in the workplace.

The theme of the upcoming World Congress is "Prevention in a Globalized World – Success through Partnerships." Unveiling new research and innovations, identifying best safety practices that can be emulated around the world and implemented "off the job," and providing recommendations as solutions for the future are some of the safety and health initiatives that are expected to surface at this World Congress.

Organizers include the United Nations' International Labor Organization, the International Social Security Association, and the National Safety Council – the U.S. host for the event. The previous World Congress was held in Vienna in 2002. The next one is scheduled at an undetermined location in 2008.

"Each year there is an untold amount of suffering to families and billions of dollars lost in the world economy because of injuries and fatalities in the workplace," said Ellen J. Kullman, group vice president – DuPont Safety & Protection, who will deliver the World Congress' closing keynote address Sept. 22. "This global event is critically important because it focuses on prevention and collaboration – the keys to unlocking geographical and cultural boundaries to help make lives safer in every corner of the world."

"The World Congress is a powerful forum for international organizers to share their knowledge, expertise and passion for a safer world," said Alan C. McMillan, president and CEO of the National Safety Council and secretariat for the 2005 World Congress. "The council is honored to serve as host of this historic gathering of employers, workers, governments, non-government organizations and safety and health professionals meeting for the first time in the United States."

Among the key safety and health topics that will be presented at the World Congress are: innovations and knowledge as preventive measures; extending workplace safety practices into daily lives; impact of globalization, and prevention in a globalized economy.

Kullman said DuPont agreed to serve as the premier sponsor because the company's history of safety and health as a core value is aligned with the objectives of the World Congress and its organizers. DuPont – whose leaders will provide nine presentations at the World Congress – is considered one of the safest industrial companies in the world. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor's latest available statistics in 2003, DuPont has a workplace safety record that is more than 10 times better than the U.S. industry average.

The market segment that Kullman leads for DuPont is focused on safety and protection through science, technology and knowledge. Some of the safety and health innovations include DuPont™ Kevlar® aramid fiber, Nomex® fire-resistant fiber, Corian® solid surface materials, Tyvek® nonwovens, and clean and disinfect applications. DuPont Safety Resources, a fast-growing safety consulting business, has assisted governments and industries around the world to dramatically reduce workplace injuries and fatalities, building on DuPont's nearly 203-year history of workplace safety and health.

The World Congress will include approximately 60 educational seminars and sessions on a broad range of safety and health topics over four days in Orlando. The World Congress will also feature more than 800 exhibitors displaying the latest safety and health innovations and services.

The National Safety Council is a non-profit, non-governmental, international public service organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting health. Members of the council include more than 45,000 businesses, labor organizations, schools, public agencies, private groups and individuals. As the host organization for the XVII World Congress, the National Safety Council leads a U.S. organizing committee that includes the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and leading labor and industry organizations.

The International Labor Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes social justice and internationally recognized human and labor rights. The International Social Security Association serves as a forum for agencies throughout the world that administer workers' compensation programs, sickness and disability insurance, pensions and other worker benefits.

The DuPont Safety & Protection platform is focused on finding solutions to protect people, property, operations and the environment. The platform seeks to leverage and expand over 200 years of DuPont experience as one of the safest companies in the world with recognized excellence in science and technology and in-depth knowledge of key markets.

DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

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02/09/05

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