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OSHA News Release
2004 - 08/16/2004 - Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association Aligns with OSHA

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OSHA Trade Release
August 16, 2004
Contact: Bill Wright
Phone: (202) 693-1999


Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association Aligns with OSHA
Alliance to highlight fall protection, motor vehicle safety, personal protective equipment

WASHINGTON -- Workers in the sheet metal and air conditioning industries will benefit from an Alliance signed today between the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

"We're pleased to join with SMACNA and advance a positive safety and health work environment for thousands of workers in this industry," OSHA Administrator John Henshaw said. "This Alliance also focuses on issues impacting Hispanic workers and small businesses and we believe it will help us cultivate what I hope will be a long-term relationship that focuses on worker safety and health throughout the entire industry."

Added Mark Watson, President, SMACNA: "This Alliance serves to establish a structure for sharing resources and opening channels of communications designed to yield safer and more healthful American workplaces. It is fitting that since we share with OSHA a mutual dedication to a safe and healthful work environment, that we combine our strengths and determination to promote an accident-free workplace."

OSHA's Alliance with SMACNA will address issues including motor vehicle safety, fall protection, and personal protective equipment (emphasizing cuts, and eye injuries). Both organizations have agreed to develop information, guidance, and access to training resources on those issues, and will also provide expertise in communicating that information to member employers and their workers in the industry.

OSHA and SMACNA will share information regarding the Association's best practices or effective approaches, and publicize the results through developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars and lectures. The Alliance participants will pursue opportunities to speak, exhibit, or appear at conferences and events, including the annual SMACNA Convention and chapter meetings.

The Alliance also calls for working with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects on sheet metal and air conditioning and the construction contracting industry's hazards. Additionally, SMACNA and OSHA will convene or participate in forums, roundtable discussions, or stakeholder meetings to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace.

Finally, SMACNA members will be provided information on the benefits of participating in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, partnerships, the Voluntary Protection Programs, Consultation Projects, and its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program. This includes increasing access to safety and health information and available training resources for Spanish-speaking employees and small businesses.

SMACNA is an international association of union contractors who perform sheet metal and air conditioning work in the industrial, commercial, institutional and residential markets. Its members specialize in heating, ventilating and air conditioning, architectural and industrial sheet metal, specialty stainless steel work, manufacturing and siding and decking.

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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