OSHA, Allied Construction Industries renew partnership to train, protect nearly 30K Ohio construction workers

Participants: U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration offices in Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio, and Allied Construction Industries, a trade association representing more than 500 member companies.

Background: OSHA and ACI renewed their partnership to protect construction industry workers  through increased training, daily work shift safety meetings, safety orientations and stand-downs designed to increase worker’s knowledge of hazards, required safety procedures, protective measures and equipment. The association represents workers in the construction, concrete, masonry, sheet metal, electrical, heating and air conditioning, and finishing trades. The partnership was first signed in 2000.

The partnership continues to emphasize reducing injury and illness on the job site by focusing training on the top four construction industry hazards – falls, struck-by, caught-in/between and electrocutions – as well as interactive training developed from on-site information and experiences.

It also requires all employers, contractors and subcontractors to implement written safety and health programs; conduct daily pre-task planning, safety huddles and job site inspections, and involve workers in safety meetings. OSHA will review these programs at least annually to track and compare information on injury and illness rates, share best practices and review goals.

QUOTE: “Workplace safety is achieved when everyone works together to recognize hazards and follow safety protocols and procedures,” said Ken Montgomery, OSHA’s area director in Cincinnati. “OSHA has found partnerships like this set the standard that safety will not be compromised.”

Through its Strategic Partnership Program, OSHA works with employers, employees, professional and trade associations, labor organizations and other stakeholders to establish specific goals, strategies and performance measures to improve worker safety and health.