TRADE NEWS RELEASE
Thursday, May 30, 2002
Contact: Frank Meilinger
Phone: (202) 693-1999

WASHINGTON - OSHA has entered into a pilot partnership with the Iron Workers International Union and NEA -- The Association of Union Constructors to enhance OSHA compliance officer training for the new steel erection standard, which took effect on January 18, 2002.

"OSHA is very pleased with this partnership, which will allow our compliance officers to receive the best training possible on the steel erection standard," said OSHA Administrator John Henshaw. "By collaborating with the NEA and the Iron Workers we are taking a major step in our efforts to reduce injuries and illnesses in this industry."

The partnership utilizes Iron Workers facilities which allow hands-on training to assist compliance officers to understand better how the standard applies to real workplace conditions. The agreement calls for additional training sessions around the country. The first training session was held May 20-24 at the Iron Workers training facility in Springfield, New Jersey. Thirty compliance officers from most of OSHA's regions attended the course, with instructors from the OSHA Directorate of Construction, the OSHA Training Institute, the Iron Workers, the NEA and association members, and members of the Associated Builders and Constructors.

OSHA's steel erection rule is the first OSHA safety standard developed under the Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1990 and the Department of Labor's negotiated rulemaking policy. The Iron Workers and the NEA were active members of the Steel Erection Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee (SENRAC), which was instrumental in the development of the new steel erection rule.

Future courses are being planned at other locations in different regions of the country.