July 5, 2004—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has recently renewed two successful alliances and entered into a new alliance, all focusing on ergonomics and workplace safety.
OSHA extended its two-year alliance with The Dow Chemical Company for an additional two years. OSHA and Dow have worked together on providing technical knowledge and guidance on process safety management (PSM), reducing exposure to ergonomic-related hazards, and improving overall workplace safety and health programs. (OSHA’s PSM standard establishes requirements to prevent or minimize the potential for fire or explosion due to dangerous chemicals.)
The two are also working together to develop OSHA’s electronic assistance tool for ammonia refrigeration, and Dow safety managers are helping prepare various chemical-related Safety and Health Topics pages on OSHA’s Web site, including PSM, Reactive Chemicals, Ammonia Refrigeration, and Isocyanates. Dow has also worked with OSHA to develop case studies on ergonomics and motor vehicle safety. The Ergonomics Case Study is available online and discusses how Dow has applied the “Six Sigma” management system strategy to identify and implement ergonomics solutions.
OSHA has also renewed its two-year alliance with the American Society of Safety Engineers for two additional years. Under the alliance, ASSE established a member-driven ergonomics task force of leading ergonomics practitioners and researchers, and developed a list of links to ergonomic resources for its Web site. The organizations have also participated in each other’s conferences, and the alliance has spawned local agreements between OSHA offices and ASSE chapters in New England, the Gulf Coast, and Atlanta. The renewal calls for OSHA and ASSE to focus efforts on ergonomics and motor vehicle safety, as well as on non-English speaking and youth workers.
In addition, OSHA has begun an alliance with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the National Wooden Pallet and Container Association (NWPCA) to ensure the safety and health of workers in the solid wood packaging industry. The alliance will focus on ergonomics and the safe use of powered industrial trucks and pallet assembly equipment. The organizations will develop and implement training and education programs, prepare job safety modules, cross train personnel, pursue opportunities to speak and exhibit at various events, and develop and disseminate case studies illustrating the business value of safety and health.
