OSHA, National Safety Council renew alliance to address worker exposures

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and National Safety Council this week renewed their alliance to work together to protect the health and safety of workers and understand the rights of workers and responsibilities of employers under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Assistant Secretary of Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels today announced the alliance renewal at National Safety Council Congress & Expo in San Diego, Calif. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the National Safety Council to educate and train employers on preventing workplace hazards,” Michaels said. “Through our continued work with the NSC, we are working with employers to create a culture of safety to better prevent workplace injuries and illnesses.”

During the five-year agreement, the alliance will use data on injuries and illnesses, workers’ compensation experience and exposure hazards in general industry and construction to help identify new areas of emphasis. The alliance will support the NSC’s “Journey to Safety Excellence” campaign, which aims to educate employers on how investing in worker safety and health protections can significantly improve their productivity and profitability. Through this commitment to workplace safety, both businesses and workers succeed.

The alliance will also include the development of outreach materials on preventing falls, motor vehicle safety, emergency response and the importance of establishing an injury and illness prevention program. Additionally, the alliance will develop a case study on preventing falls from heights in construction, with a focus on the causes of fall protection failures and what companies can do to assure an effective fall prevention program.

NSC is a non-profit, public service organization, founded in 1913, that offers training, educational programs and materials, consulting and advocacy on various safety and health topics. The organization represents 14,000 employers and more than six million workers employed by NSC members.

Through its Alliance Program, OSHA works with unions, consulates, trade and professional organizations, faith- and community-based organizations, businesses and educational institutions to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses. The purpose of each alliance is to develop compliance assistance tools and resources, and to educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities. Alliance Program participants do not receive exemptions from OSHA inspections or any other enforcement benefits.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.