Linde North America`s Oregon Plant Recognized as Safety and Health "Star"

Electronic gases plant gets prestigious OSHA certification for second time
MURRAY HILL, N.J.--(Business Wire)--
Linde North America`s Medford, Oregon, electronic gases plant has been
recognized for achieving the highest level of excellence in employee safety and
health by the U.S. Department of Labor`s Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA).

Linde North America is a member of The Linde Group, a world-leading gases and
engineering company. Linde`s Medford plant has operated since 1998, producing
and shipping high-purity gases used in manufacturing integrated circuits - the
essential components of electronic equipment, such as computers and cell phones.

The plant was certified with a Star rating under OSHA`s Voluntary Protection
Programs (VPP), which recognize and promote the agency's vision of an effective
safety and health management system in every workplace in America. VPP approval
is an official recognition of employers and employees who have achieved
exemplary performance in occupational safety and health. Once certified with a
Star rating, the workplace is effectively self-policing in terms of health and
safety for a period of three years.

Art Pernsteiner, Medford plant manager, said, "In an industrial setting,
particularly when working with hazardous chemicals and equipment, safety isn`t
just one person`s responsibility, or a discrete part of the job. Safety must be
integrated into every activity, with a genuine commitment from every person on
site. The VPP certification validates that commitment and the partnership that
exists between Linde management and its employees."

This is the second time the Medford plant has received the VPP`s Star rating,
which covers a total of six consecutive years in the program. OSHA conferred the
rating -- the program`s highest designation -- after a rigorous onsite review of
the facility's safety and health programs, interviews with employees and a
complete tour of the worksite. Organizations achieving Star status typically
have fewer injuries and illnesses, as they operate with a high level of
management leadership and employee involvement in their safety and health
programs.

Gases produced at Linde`s plant are shipped to customers throughout North
America, Europe and Asia. The plant employs 25 people.

Charlie Koehler, vice president of safety, health, environment and quality
(SHEQ) for Linde North America, said, "This is truly a significant achievement.
This means that everyone at our Medford facility is demonstrating exemplary
behavior towards sustaining a safe working environment. I congratulate every
employee at the plant for their dedication and commitment in creating a culture
where caring for each other`s safety is a core value."

The Linde Group is a world leading gases and engineering company with more than
50,000 employees working in around 100 countries worldwide. In the 2007
financial year it achieved sales of EUR 12.3 billion (USD 18.7 billion). The
strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards earnings-based and sustainable
growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with
forward-looking products and services.

Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees,
society and the environment - in every one of its business areas, regions and
locations across the globe. Linde is committed to technologies and products that
unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development. For more
information, see The Linde Group web site at www.linde.com.

Linde corporate communications
Peter Gavigan, 908-771-1512
Peter.gavigan@linde.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009