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OSHA News Release
2003 - 12/16/2003 - OSHA Offices In Houston Renew Partnership For General Contractors With AGC, Create New 'Associates' Partnership |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 6 News Release: OSHA-03-843-DAL Tues., Dec. 16, 2003 Contact: Diana Petterson or Elizabeth Todd Phone: (214) 767-4776, Ext. 222 or 221 OSHA Offices In Houston Renew Partnership For General Contractors With AGC, Create New 'Associates' Partnership Peterson Beckner Industries First to Join the Associates Partnership HOUSTON -- To continue providing high levels of employee safety and health training, the Houston North and South area offices of the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the local chapter of the Associated General Contractors have renewed a two-year partnership for general contractors and have created a new partnership program for sub or specialty contractors. OSHA Health and Safety partnerships are part of U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao's ongoing efforts to improve the health and safety of workers through cooperative partnerships with trade associations, labor organizations and employers. This new partnership agreement is called Safety and Health Partnership for Excellence-Houston Associate (SHAPE-Associate). It recognizes specialty contractors who have excellent safety and health programs. In addition, OSHA and the Houston AGC chapter also have renewed for two years their existing partnership, known as SHAPE - Exemplary, for general contractors. "These partnerships give AGC members an effective means to work voluntarily with OSHA to eliminate hazards and achieve a high level of worker safety and health," said John Lawson, OSHA Houston North area director. "They are examples of Secretary Chao's commitment to foster compliance assistance for workers and employers to improve health and safety." To take part in the OSHA/AGC program, contractors must meet stringent safety guidelines, such as an occupational injury and illness rate 15 percent below current rates for the industry; a site-specific safety and health program that includes the involvement of employees; training for employees on hazards specific to their jobs; and providing designated safety personnel who have at least one year of experience in managing an effective construction safety and health program and appropriate training in identifying construction hazards. "Participation in the program encourages companies to monitor their own safety programs. It allows OSHA staff to spend more time at sites that do not have effective safety and health programs, training, or appropriate procedures to recognize hazards," said Raymond Skinner, OSHA Houston South area director. Peterson Beckner Industries Inc. (PBI) in Houston is the first sub-contractor to join the new SHAPE-Associate partnership. With about 100 workers, PBI specializes in heavy and complex steel structures requiring specialized construction engineering talents. For more information about partnerships with OSHA, call the agency's Houston North office at (281) 591-2438 or the Houston South office at (281) 286-0583. 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. ### U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. |
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