Airgas Receives CGA Fleet Safety Awards and Environmental Recognition Program Award

RADNOR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG) today announced that it received three awards from the Compressed Gas Association (CGA), the U.S. industrial and medical gas industry’s standard-setting organization for the promotion of safety standards and safe practices. Airgas was awarded two CGA Fleet Safety Awards, one for Bulk Gas Transportation in recognition of the best safety record among bulk gas fleets with more than 20 million miles driven during 2009, and one for Cylinder Gas Transportation in recognition of the best safety record among cylinder gas fleets with more than three million miles driven during 2009. Airgas also received the CGA Environmental Recognition Program Award for Green Distribution Centers.

“With six distribution centers located throughout the U.S. encompassing 850,000 square feet, we recognize the importance of working as efficiently and as cost effectively as possible. In addition to the environmental benefits, energy efficiency and recycling are efforts that go straight to our bottom line”

The CGA calculates its Fleet Safety awards on a CGA member’s total vehicle accident frequency rate per million miles driven during the year. Two awards honor bulk gas fleets, including one for fleets with more than 20 million miles driven and one for fleets with less than 20 million miles driven. Two awards also honor cylinder gas fleets, with one for more than three million miles driven and one for less than three million miles driven.

Airgas is a two-time winner of the CGA Bulk Gas Transportation award and a three-time winner of the CGA Cylinder Gas Transportation award. Airgas has one of the largest bulk gas fleets and the largest cylinder gas fleet among CGA members.

“With one of the largest private fleets on the road, safety is a top concern for all of us at Airgas,” said Airgas Chairman and CEO Peter McCausland. “This CGA recognition for having the best fleet safety record among both bulk and cylinder gas fleets is a testament to the skills exhibited by our drivers, and their unwavering focus on safely meeting the needs of our customers. It also highlights the effectiveness of our Airgas SAFECOR team, which is responsible for coordinating safety, compliance, and regulatory affairs. We are very proud of our drivers and the safety culture at Airgas.”

Airgas also received the CGA Environmental Recognition Program Award for Green Distribution Centers, recognizing Airgas’ network of welding and safety products distribution centers. With the award, the CGA identifies and shares good environmental practices and promotes environmental improvements within CGA membership and the compressed gas industry.

“With six distribution centers located throughout the U.S. encompassing 850,000 square feet, we recognize the importance of working as efficiently and as cost effectively as possible. In addition to the environmental benefits, energy efficiency and recycling are efforts that go straight to our bottom line,” said Airgas Chief Operating Officer Mike Molinini. “We’ve installed low-energy lighting and motion sensors that turn lights on when they’re needed and off when they’re not; purchased energy-efficient and pollution-free forklifts; adopted recycling programs for cardboard boxes, and expanded reusable shipping pallets. Even more important is that Airgas employees have embraced our ‘green’ efforts. Our distribution center managers have noticed higher productivity because everyone is working as a team on this initiative and they are proud of the results.”

About Airgas, Inc.

Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG), through its subsidiaries, is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases, and hardgoods, such as welding equipment and supplies. Airgas is also one of the largest U.S. distributors of safety products, the largest U.S. producer of nitrous oxide and dry ice, the largest liquid carbon dioxide producer in the Southeast, and a leading distributor of process chemicals, refrigerants, and ammonia products. More than 14,000 employees work in over 1,100 locations, including branches, retail stores, gas fill plants, specialty gas labs, production facilities and distribution centers. Airgas also distributes its products and services through eBusiness, catalog and telesales channels. Its national scale and strong local presence offer a competitive edge to its diversified customer base. For more information, please visit www.airgas.com.