POET Biorefining – Preston (Minn.) has earned top honors from the Minnesota Safety Council for having a low injury incidence and good track record in safety.

The plant has earned “Meritorious Achievement” for above average performance in incident rates compared to the industry average. Among its accomplishments, the plant has gone 1,124 days without a lost time accident.

“Safety is a top priority here,” said Richard Eichstadt, general manager at POET Biorefining – Preston. “Our employees do a great job of paying attention to details and keeping the workplace safe for everyone.”

“An effective safety program reduces injuries and costs, maximizes productivity and builds morale,” said Carol Bufton, president of the Minnesota Safety Council. “Employers like POET Biorefining – Preston understand that safety is good business, now more than ever.”

Since 1934, the annual Governor’s Safety Awards have spotlighted Minnesota employers with above average safety records. Participants submit injury information, which is compared with state and national data, as well as the entrant’s past performance. Ongoing safety programs and activities are also considered.

About POET
POET, the largest ethanol producer in the world, is a leader in biorefining through its efficient, vertically integrated approach to production. The 20-year-old company produces more than 1.54 billion gallons of ethanol annually from 26 production facilities nationwide. POET recently started up a pilot-scale cellulosic ethanol plant, which uses corn cobs as feedstock, and will commercialize the process in 2011. For more information, visit www.poet.com.

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