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| Occupational Safety & Health Administration | ||||||
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OSHA News Release
2004 - 05/26/2004 - The Dow Chemical Company Renews Alliance with OSHA |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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OSHA Trade Release May 26, 2004 Contact: Bill Wright Phone: (202)693-1999 The Dow Chemical Company Renews Alliance with OSHA
Process Safety Management, Ergonomics remain areas of concentration WASHINGTON -- OSHA Administrator John Henshaw today signed an Alliance renewal with The Dow Chemical Company extending the agreement for an additional two years. "Working with The Dow Chemical Company over the past year and a half has shown that the progress we've made will be enhanced by continuing our Alliance," Henshaw said. "I'm pleased that Dow wants to continue working with us in a collaborative relationship." Added David Graham, Dow's Vice President of Environment, Health and Safety: "We're excited at the opportunity to renew our Alliance with OSHA. Working directly together allows both of us to pool our collective technical expertise to lead to ever-improving worker safety." OSHA and Dow Chemical's Alliance was first signed in January 2003 to allow both organizations to work together on providing technical knowledge and guidance on process safety management (PSM), reducing exposure to ergonomic-related hazards, and improving overall workplace safety and health programs. (OSHA's PSM standard establishes requirements to prevent or minimize the potential for fire or explosion due to dangerous chemicals). Since then, OSHA and Dow have presented workshops on the PSM standard and reactive chemicals and are also working together to develop the first section of OSHA's electronic assistance tool for ammonia refrigeration. In addition, safety managers at Dow are participating on the editorial boards for various chemical-related Safety and Health Topics pages on OSHA's website, including PSM, Reactive Chemicals, Ammonia Refrigeration, and Isocyanates. Dow has also worked with OSHA to develop case studies on ergonomics and motor vehicle safety. The ergonomics case study is available online and discusses how Dow has applied the "Six Sigma" management system strategy to identify and implement ergonomics solutions. ("Six Sigma" is a process-oriented approach to problem solving that emphasizes a four-step improvement methodology of measure, analyze, improve and control). Two motor vehicle safety studies are currently in development. In addition to a continued focus on ergonomics and process safety management, OSHA and Dow plan on holding more PSM workshops for OSHA staff in the Atlanta and Dallas regions. Finally, working through other Alliances (e.g., the Reactives Alliance), OSHA and DOW will address additional safety and health issues that have an impact on the chemical industry. Dow is a leader in science and technology, providing innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many consumer markets. Dow and its approximately 46,000 employees serve customers in more than 180 countries and a wide range of markets including food, transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and building and construction, among others. 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. ###
U.S. Labor Department releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate 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. |
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