April 9, 2004—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc., (SPI) are extending their agreement to work together to further the safety and health of workers in the plastics industry. The objective of the two-year renewal is to provide employers and employees with information and guidance on machine guarding issues that will help identify and eliminate hazards likely to result in amputations, and in reducing and preventing exposure to ergonomic hazards. The renewed alliance outlines specific training and education goals that address machine safety and reducing injuries (e.g., lacerations, burns, and amputations), and various communication and outreach goals.
As a direct result of the previous alliance, the organizations have worked together to develop a Plastics Industry Safety and Health Topics Page on OSHA’s Web site featuring information on specific standards that apply to the industry and identifying hazards and solutions unique to the industry. Additionally, a new module on plastics machinery was developed for the agency’s Machine Guarding eTool (a Web-based, interactive training tool).
SPI is a trade association representing the plastics industry, one of the largest manufacturing industries in the US, employing 1.4 million workers. SPI’s members represent the entire plastics industry supply chain, including processors, machinery and equipment manufacturers, and raw material suppliers.
