In This Issue:
OSHA Administrator Stresses Value in Safety and Health During NSC Speech
OSHA Forms Alliances with Construction and Industrial Hygiene Associations
Local Partnership in Rhode Island, Alliance in New York
New Spanish Language Brochure Published
Web-based Training Tools Launched for Machine Guarding and Steel Erection
Partnership Program in Idaho Proving to Be a 'Jewel'
Training Offered for Nursing/Personal Care Facilities in New Hampshire
OSHA To Sponsor Seminar on Powered Industrial Trucks
Upcoming Speeches for the Assistant Secretary

OSHA Administrator Stresses Value in Safety and Health During NSC Speech
     "Safety and health add value to every business, every workplace and every life," Assistant Secretary Henshaw told an enthusiastic audience at the National Safety Council's Congress and Exposition in San Diego, Oct. 8. Henshaw's speech emphasized the 'add value' theme while focusing on OSHA's strategy of strong and fair enforcement, outreach, education and compliance assistance, and partnerships and voluntary programs, as the future for the agency and the best means to reduce occupational fatalities, injuries and illnesses. He also addressed the Second Hispanic Forum Plenary Session reemphasizing OSHA's commitment to reducing the rising numbers of fatalities and injuries among Hispanic workers.

OSHA Forms Alliances with Construction and Industrial Hygiene Associations
     OSHA joined with two more industries recently to continue the agency's collaborative efforts in promoting worker safety and health. An Alliance was signed Oct. 3 between OSHA and the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) to focus on reducing and preventing exposure to construction hazards. The agreement will also increase CMAA members' access to safety and health information and training resources for the industry. On Oct. 10, OSHA signed a similar Alliance with the American Industrial Hygiene Association agreeing to collaborate on injury and illness prevention programs with a focus on ergonomics. OSHA Administrator John Henshaw continues to promote Alliances as an important feature in the agency's commitment to cooperative efforts for improving workplace safety and health.

Local Partnership in Rhode Island, Alliance in New York
     OSHA's Rhode Island area office has formed a partnership with the Rhode Island Chapter of the Associated General Contractors and the Rhode Island Building Trades Council to enhance safety and health at Ocean State construction sites. The Rhode Island Construction Health and Safety Excellence strategic partnership is designed to eliminate serious hazards and promote safety and health protection at sites throughout Rhode Island. OSHA's area offices in Buffalo and Syracuse, NY, also established a regional Alliance with the Rochester-based IMC-formerly the Industrial Management Council-to further safe and healthful working conditions for the 430 IMC member companies in the Rochester, NY area. The IMC is an employers association that provides human resource-related services and assistance on safety and health management and compliance for its member companies in the Rochester area.

New Spanish Language Brochure Published
     As part of a growing effort to reach Spanish-speaking workers and employers, OSHA has produced a new Spanish-language publication titled, OSHA: ¡Listos para ayudarle! (OSHA: Ready to Help You!). The brochure, published Oct. 7, explains the various services, programs and tools the agency offers to help reduce on-the-job injuries, illnesses and fatalities. OSHA Administrator John Henshaw explained that one of the major issues in improving safety of non-English speaking workers-including Hispanic-is "communicating in a language they understand." OSHA established a Hispanic Outreach Task Force last year to help reduce the fatality rates among Hispanic workers. (For more information see the press release - or En Espanol).

Web-based Training Tools Launched for Machine Guarding and Steel Erection
     OSHA recently developed two new electronic tools to help reduce injuries and illnesses on worksites. The Machine Guarding eTool focuses on recognizing and controlling common amputation hazards associated with the use of certain types of machines. It currently includes discussions on saws and presses. The agency also developed an eTool to educate employers and workers about the revised steel erection standard. Information covered includes site preparation, cranes, structural stability, metal buildings, overhead hazards, fall protection and training. OSHA's eTools are stand-alone interactive, web-based training tools on safety and health topics.

Partnership Program in Idaho Proving to Be a 'Jewel'
     A partnership between OSHA and 27 general contractors in Idaho has resulted in a major reduction in construction injuries and fatalities in the Gem State. Dick Terrill, Regional Administrator in Seattle, reports that during 2001-2002, there have been three construction fatalities in Idaho, compared to 25 during 1990-1995 (prior to the partnership). Terrill also said that in the 10-year period ending last year, construction injuries were cut almost in half, during a period when construction employment more than doubled. OSHA's relationship with the construction community in Idaho is so solid that, according to Terrill, the Idaho AGC invited a local OSHA official to sit on its safety and health committee.

Training Offered for Nursing/Personal Care Facilities in New Hampshire
     OSHA is co-sponsoring training for workers in nursing and personal care facilities in the central New England area on Oct. 31 in Concord, NH. The training, designed for facility operators, safety and health managers, hospital managers and employee representatives from facilities in New Hampshire, southern Maine and northern Massachusetts, is part of OSHA's national emphasis program that focuses on specific hazards in the industry. The Northern New England Chapter of the American Red Cross and Keene State College are co-sponsoring the training. To register, call the college at (800) 449-6742. Cost for the training is $55 per person.

OSHA To Sponsor Seminar on Powered Industrial Trucks
     Reducing occupational injuries associated with the use of powered industrial trucks is the subject of a free seminar being offered by the OSHA area office in Methuen, MA, Nov. 19. The half-day session is co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety and manufacturer Hyster New England. Along with OSHA experts, a manufacturer's representative as well as a representative from the Massachusetts Industrial Safety and Health Consultation Service will address the most prevalent hazards identified with the use of powered industrial trucks. Advance registration is requested not later than Nov. 1 by contacting Al Loftin of the Methuen OSHA office at (617) 565-8110.

Upcoming Speeches for the Assistant Secretary
     OSHA Administrator John Henshaw is scheduled to provide an agency update during a meeting with the American Meat Institute Board of Directors in New Orleans on Oct. 24. He will also sign an Alliance with the Institute to further promote safe working conditions for meat industry workers. On Oct. 26, Henshaw will visit Baltimore to deliver the keynote address at a Johns Hopkins/NIOSH-sponsored conference on "Worker Training in a New Era: Responding to New Threats." Finally, Hershey, PA, is the site of the Assistant Secretary's Oct. 29 speech at the 76th anniversary of the Pennsylvania Governor's Occupational Safety and Health Conference.