|
U.S. Department of Labor | |
||||
| Occupational Safety & Health Administration | ||||||
 |
|
OSHA News Release
2005 - 08/09/2005 - New OSHA Alliance Aims to Safeguard Workers in Rhode Island's Nursery and Landscaping Industry |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
|
Region 1 News Release: 05-1493-BOS/BOS 2005-215 Tuesday, August 9, 2005 Contact: Ted Fitzgerald Phone: (617) 565-2074 New OSHA Alliance Aims to Safeguard Workers in Rhode Island's Nursery and Landscaping Industry
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Ensuring safe and healthful working conditions for workers in Rhode Island's nursery and landscaping industries is the goal of a newly-signed alliance among the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the R.I. Department of Public Health's Occupational Health and Safety Consultation Program (RI-DOH) and the Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association (RINLA). Alliance participants will develop and deliver safety training programs to members of the nursery and landscape association and others. Training will focus on reducing and preventing exposure to such common hazards as chemical exposures, noise, overhead power lines, inadequately guarded portable power tools, mechanical power transmission apparatus, insufficient use of personal protective equipment, musculoskeletal injuries and motor vehicle crashes. OSHA and RI-DOH personnel and industry participants will be cross-trained in RINLA's best practices. Association members will also be encouraged to participate in OSHA's cooperative programs, such as the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP), Consultation Program, and the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). "Workers in the green industry encounter a wide variety of hazards every day, ranging from chemical and noise exposure to contact with overhead power lines and being struck by vehicular traffic," said Mary Hoye, OSHA's area director for Rhode Island. "This alliance is particularly exciting because it will enable us to equip a diverse group of workers with the knowledge and skills to spot and prevent these hazards." The Rhode Island Nursery & Landscape Association is a professional trade association that serves the green industry in the Ocean State. It currently has 269 active members, 104 associate members, 12 honorary members and 25 professional affiliates. The alliance was signed Aug. 3 in Exeter. Signatories were Hoye; James Gamelin, project manager, RI-DOH; and Richard Benoit, president, RINLA. A photograph of the signing is available by e-mailing fitzgerald.edmund@dol.gov. For more information about this and other alliances in Rhode Island, call OSHA's Providence office at (401) 528-4669. OSHA health and safety alliances 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 employers, trade associations and labor. OSHA has created more than 325 alliances with organizations committed to fostering safety and health in the workplace. 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 improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. # # #
U.S. Labor Department releases are accessible on the Internet at 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 at (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance. |
|
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 |
||
