OSHA Renews Alliance to Promote Safety for Montana Workers

BILLINGS, MT – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), Big Sky Chapter, are renewing an alliance to provide safety professionals in Montana with training resources. The five-year renewal will serve to protect the safety and health of workers, and to help safety professional understand the rights of workers and the responsibilities of employers under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

First established in 2014, the alliance will make OSHA training, resources and materials available to address numerous workplace safety concerns, and reinforce best practices by Montana employers and employees. They include: hazards associated with woodworking establishments, serious incident and illness reporting requirements, walking/working surfaces in general industry applications, trenching/excavation, temporary employees, fall hazards in construction, and workplace violence. OSHA and the ASSE Big Sky Chapter will also meet monthly to share best practices.

“We need to use all of our available tools and strategies to ensure that Montana’s greatest assets go home safely each day to their loved ones,” said OSHA Billings Area Office Director Art Hazen. “This renewed alliance will enhance Montana safety professionals’ ability to identify and reduce or prevent exposure to hazardous conditions in the workplace.”

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. For more information on OSHA partnerships and alliances, please call OSHA’s toll-free hotline 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the Billings Office at 406- 247-7494.