Contact: Fred Blosser (202) 401-3749
June 8, 2004

The safety and health of workers in the solid wood packaging industry is the goal of a new Alliance signed June 7 between the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Wooden Pallet and Container Association (NWPCA), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D., said that NIOSH "looks forward to new successes in training, education, and outreach through this Alliance," adding that the "agreement will offer many new opportunities to move the results of NIOSH research into safety and health practice. The results of those efforts will inform and enrich our future research."

"This is a tremendous opportunity to positively impact the lives of thousands of workers in this industry," said OSHA Administrator John Henshaw. "We're pleased that, along with our research partners at NIOSH, the professionals at NWPCA want to work together to further the safety and health for their workers."

"We believe that by joining the knowledge and experience of OSHA, NIOSH and NWPCA, we create a fresh new perspective for examining health and safety concerns in the solid wood packaging industry," added Bruce Scholnick, NWPCA President and CEO. "Through this Alliance, we hope to devise practical guidelines that will enhance employee safeguards."

OSHA's Alliance with NWPCA and NIOSH focuses on ergonomics and reducing and preventing exposure to hazards associated with the use of powered industrial trucks, and pallet assembly and disassembly equipment in the workplace. The Alliance partners have agreed to develop and implement training and education programs on equipment safety focusing on accident prevention, including amputations. NWPCA will also prepare job safety modules with OSHA and NIOSH input for the safe use of pallet dismantling equipment commonly used in the industry.

OSHA and NIOSH will cross train personnel in NWPCA's best practices or effective approaches, as jointly determined by the groups. The Alliance participants will also pursue opportunities to speak, exhibit, or appear at conferences, local meetings, or other educational events, including NWPCA's annual leadership conference and recyclers' conference.

OSHA, NWPCA and NIOSH plan to develop and disseminate case studies illustrating the business value of safety and health and will also strive to raise the awareness of others to workplace safety and health whenever leaders address groups.

Finally, the Alliance calls for participation in forums, roundtable discussions, or stakeholder meetings to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.

Formed in 1966, NWPCA is an international trade association with members in 28 countries who manufacture, repair and distribute pallets, containers and reels or supply products and services to the industry.

NIOSH is the federal agency in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that conducts research and makes recommendations for preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. More information on NIOSH research and recommendations is available at www.cdc.gov/niosh

OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.