OSHA renews alliance with Associated Builders and Contractors, Pelican
Chapter, to promote worker safety in Louisiana

BATON ROUGE, La. — Protecting workers from construction hazards is the goal of a renewed alliance agreement between the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Associated Builders and Contractors, Pelican Chapter in Baton Rouge.

The goals of the alliance will continue to be achieved through sharing information and guidance, and providing access to training resources to protect employees' health and safety. Focus continues on reducing and preventing exposure to fall hazards — the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry — electrical hazards and struck-by and caught-in-between hazards from vehicles, cranes and other machinery. Addressing construction and industrial contractor issues will be a priority.

"This alliance reflects our continued commitment to strengthen collaborative efforts to promote safety and health for workers," said Dorinda Folse, OSHA's area director in Baton Rouge. "Because of increased projects and facility expansions throughout south Louisiana, the Pelican Chapter's main campus in Baton Rouge and southwest campus in Westlake will help outreach efforts for a growing workforce."

Through its Alliance Program, OSHA works with businesses, trade associations, unions, consulates, professional organizations, faith- and community-based organizations, and educational institutions to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses. The purpose of each alliance is to develop compliance assistance tools and resources and educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/alliances/index.html.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Baton Rouge office at 225-298-5458.

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.