Until they walk out and the gates close behind them on April 15, the workers are continuing to strive for the highest standards in health and safety, according to plant manager Mark O’Kane.

Yesterday to celebrate a perfect safety record at the plant acquired over the last 12 months, Electrolux hosted a barbecue lunch to thank its employees.

“This plant will be remembered for the way we finish,” Mr O’Kane said.

“I can’t speak highly enough of the employees’ work ethic, professionalism and dedication to the job at hand since we learned our fate back in October 2013.”

In announcing the excellent safety record, Mr O’Kane  wanted the people of Orange and prospective employers to know that despite being faced with losing their jobs, employees had “given their all”.

“With the imminent closure it is a very sad time, but I cannot speak highly enough of everyone’s effort,” Mr O’Kane said.

SafeWork NSW NSW senior inspector Karen Simpson, who visited the plant yesterday with inspirational speaker and former Paralympian Nigel Smith, said Electrolux workers should feel justly proud of their safety record.

“It is absolutely outstanding and the culture of workplace safety is to be commended as their efforts, particularly in the last 12 months, have had a tremendous impact on the reduction of serious injuries in the workplace,” Ms Simpson said.

Long-serving employee Ian Duboc, who in July last year was working on the production line when the biggest selling top mount Electrolux refrigerator of all time - the 420 litre model - rolled off the line for the last time, was among the employees thanked yesterday.

He said although employees now had a finish date, the mood around the plant wasn’t as sombre as it was in October 2013.

“That was the worst part - the day they announced we would close,” he said.

Mr O’Kane said the final week of the plant’s operation would be low key with no formal gatherings planned to mark the last fridge off the production line.

Mr O’Kane said the last refrigerator, along with other historic models dating back to the 1950s produced in Orange, would be offered to Orange City Council to exhibit in the new museum.

Mr O’Kane will leave Orange in April to take up a position as manager of the Electrolux plant in Thailand.

“But I really want to keep my connections with Orange and will be keeping our house here,” he said.

janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au