Trade News Release
March 11, 2009
Contact: Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999

Trenching and excavation among the hazards addressed in a renewed Alliance between OSHA and the American Pipeline Contractors Assoc.

WASHINGTON -- "Excavation and Trenching Best Practices for Operators" and "Horizontal Directional Drilling Best Practices for Operators" are two of ten fact sheets developed by the American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) through the recently renewed Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and APCA Alliance.

All of the APCA fact sheets address activities associated with the pipeline construction industry and describe best safety practices when working with equipment including backhoes, sidebooms and trenching machines. The Alliance also will focus on hydrostatic testing, a common way of locating leaks in pressurized vessels such as pipelines and plumbing. This test helps maintain the safety and durability of a vessel over time.

"We are pleased to renew our Alliance with APCA in a continued effort to develop products for reducing injuries and fatalities among pipeline construction workers," said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Donald G. Shalhoub. "I am confident that future collaboration will generate more resources and information for preventing construction hazards and promoting safe and healthful worksites."

"APCA and its members continue to strive to provide a safe working environment to protect their most valuable assets, their employees," said J. D. Lormand, APCA's executive director. "APCA looks forward to continuing to work with OSHA in developing safe practices training documents for its employees and the general public."

The Alliance provides small businesses and non-English and limited English speaking employees with training materials accessible on the OSHA and APCA Alliance Web page.

APCA represents pipeline contractors along with manufacturers and suppliers of pipeline-related products and services. Established in 1971, APCA addresses safety, environmental and security issues within the pipeline industry.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women 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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