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OSHA News Release
2006 - 06/22/2006 - OSHA, American Pyrotechnics Association Renew Alliance

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Trade News Release
June 22, 2006
Bill Wright, OSHA, 202-693-1999
Diane Hurns, ASSE, 847-768-3413
Phone: (202) 693-1999


OSHA, American Pyrotechnics Association Renew Alliance
Focus continues on reducing and preventing work-related accidents involving fireworks

WASHINGTON -- Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Edwin G. Foulke Jr. today signed a two-year renewal of the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) Alliance that will continue to promote a safer and more healthy work environment for employees in the pyrotechnics industry.

The renewal for the OSHA and APA Alliance will continue to provide APA members and others, including small businesses, with information, guidance and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety. Originally signed on June 9, 2004, the OSHA and APA Alliance focuses on reducing and preventing accidents involving the manufacturing, transportation, storage, sale and handling of commercial display fireworks and consumer fireworks and the use of commercial display fireworks.

"With July 4th right around the corner, it reminds us of the dangers employees face while working with these explosive products and the terrible occupational costs that can occur with their mishandling," Foulke said. "It is crucial that we maintain our collaborative efforts to assure industry employees' health and safety. We're delighted to go on with tapping into APA's know-how, and we look forward to strengthening our relationship."

Added APA Executive Director Julie L. Heckman: "Our Alliance has proven to be most valuable to members of the fireworks industry. The Alliance Program demonstrates the positive and effective progress that can be made to improve safety and education when government and industry work together. APA is proud to renew the Alliance and continue the good work we've set out to accomplish with OSHA."

OSHA and APA will continue to develop training and education programs on the safe and proper use of commercial display fireworks products. Both organizations will also continue to develop and disseminate compliance assistance information at conferences and events, and through print and electronic media, including using OSHA's and APA's Web sites. In addition, APA provided information and expertise to OSHA in the development of, and is helping to maintain, the Pyrotechnics Industry Safety and Health Topics page that describes common industry hazards and possible solutions to those hazards.

Founded in 1948, APA is a national nonprofit trade association representing the fireworks industry. With more than 240 member companies, APA supports and promotes safety standards for all aspects of fireworks.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. 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 process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.


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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.

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