|
U.S. Department of Labor | |
||||
| Occupational Safety & Health Administration | ||||||
 |
|
OSHA News Release
2004 - 03/04/2004 - OSHA, Society of the Plastics Industry Renew Alliance |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
|
OSHA Trade Release March 4, 2004 Contact: Bill Wright Phone: (202) 693-1999 OSHA, Society of the Plastics Industry Renew Alliance
Focus continues on reducing amputations, ergonomic hazards WASHINGTON -- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc., (SPI) are extending their agreement to work together in a cooperative relationship to further the safety and health of workers in the plastics industry. OSHA Administrator John Henshaw and SPI President Donald K. Duncan signed a two-year renewal continuing the Alliance launched in September 2002. The agreement's objective 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. "This is truly a positive work in progress and we want to build upon the successes that have already been recorded," Henshaw said. "This renewal is not only a testament to SPI's desire to keep their industry's workers safe, but it also validates the value of cooperative relationships. This is one of our first Alliances and both OSHA and SPI realize the value this relationship has in respect to worker's lives." Added Duncan: "Through our relationship with OSHA, SPI has made great strides in providing our members with the tools they need to provide their employees a safe working environment. SPI appreciates the good efforts the agency has made to work cooperatively with the U.S. plastics industry to help it meet challenges and prosper." During last year's National Plastics Exposition (NPE 2003) in Chicago, the Alliance afforded OSHA and SPI the opportunity to showcase the value of worker safety and health programs to thousands of industry professionals through ergonomics workshops, a training course on machine safety for injection molding machines, and an informal workshop with OSHA officials discussing lockout/tagout and ergonomics issues, and the agency's cooperative programs. As a direct result of the Alliance, the organizations have worked together to develop a Plastics Industry Safety and Health Topics Page on OSHA's website 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). 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, including the continual development of electronic assistance tools and links from both organizations' websites. SPI is a trade association representing one of the largest manufacturing industries in the United States. The plastics industry employs 1.4 million workers. SPI's members represent the entire plastics industry supply chain, including processors, machinery and equipment manufacturers and raw material suppliers. 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. The information in this release will be made available in alternative format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202-693-7773 or TTY 202-693-7755. |
|
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 |
||
