|
U.S. Department of Labor | |
||||
| Occupational Safety & Health Administration | ||||||
 |
|
OSHA News Release
2003 - 07/29/2003 - OSHA Aligns with American Council of Independent Laboratories |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
|
OSHA Trade Release July 29, 2003 Contact: Bill Wright Phone: (202) 693-1999 OSHA Aligns with American Council of Independent Laboratories
Focus on agency's Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory program WASHINGTON -- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American Council of Independent Laboratories (ACIL) joined forces today to enhance public safety through quality testing of much of the equipment and materials workers use every day. The Alliance will increase awareness of OSHA's Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) program. OSHA recognized laboratories determine if equipment and products that are specified in the agency's regulations meet consensus-based safety standards and can be used safely in the workplace. "I'm particularly pleased that ACIL wants to work with us and promote the NRTL program," OSHA Administrator John Henshaw said. "When a testing laboratory places its nationally-registered mark on the products they test, they're certifying the product meets OSHA-endorsed standards. Together, OSHA and ACIL can communicate just how important that program is." "The OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory program is an indispensable component in ensuring the health and safety of employees in the workplace," added Jerry Weathers, ACIL Chair. "ACIL is pleased to work with OSHA to improve understanding of this program by all sectors and enhance its effectiveness." Through the Alliance, OSHA and ACIL will educate and train stakeholders about the NRTL program. Fundamental to that education is a review of existing OSHA training programs to determine where information on the NRTL program can be incorporated into the curriculum. ACIL and OSHA will develop and disseminate information through various media, including their respective websites, and will participate together in forums and speak or appear at various conferences or other events to raise awareness of the program. Additionally OSHA personnel will be cross-trained with industry safety and health professionals on the NRTL program and the products and equipment required to have a mark. ACIL represents independent, commercial scientific and engineering firms. Its members are professional services firms engaged in testing, product certification, consulting, and research and development. The NRTL Program recognizes mainly private sector organizations that provide product safety testing and certification services to manufacturers. The testing and certification are done to U.S. consensus-based product safety test standards. The standards are not developed or issued by OSHA, but are issued by U.S. standards organizations, such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The range of products covered by the program is limited to those items for which OSHA safety standards require "certification" by a NRTL. The requirements mainly affect electrical products. OSHA is dedicated to assuring worker safety and health. Safety and health add value to business, the workplace and life. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. ### This news release text is on the Internet at http://www.osha.gov. Information on this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202) 693-1999. |
|
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
 Back to Top |
www.osha.gov | www.dol.gov |
Contact Us | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey Privacy and Security Statement | Disclaimers |
||
| Occupational Safety & Health Administration 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20210 |
||
