OSHA and the National Safety Council Renew Alliance to Address Fall Prevention, Injury and Illness Prevention Programs

WASHINGTON (August 29, 2012) – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) renewed its Alliance with the National Safety Council (NSC) to continue enhancing worker safety and health by addressing construction hazards, injury and illness prevention programs and motor vehicle safety.

“Our continued alliance with NSC will focus on, among other things, preventing worker injuries and fatalities from falls in construction,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health David Michaels. “Falls cause more fatalities than any other hazard in the construction industry. We look forward to collaborating with the NSC to educate and train employers and workers on preventing job hazards.”

During the two-year agreement, the Alliance will develop fact sheets on the benefits of employers establishing an injury and illness prevention program, hazard identification and control topics that should be included in worker training, fall prevention and best practices for reporting near misses. The Alliance will also develop a case study on preventing falls from heights in construction, focusing on the causes of fall protection failures and how employers can assure an effective and reliable fall prevention program.

NSC is a non-profit, public service organization, founded in 1913, that offers training, educational programs and materials, consulting and advocacy on various safety and health topics. The organization represents 14,000 employers and more than six million workers employed by NSC members.

Through its Alliance Program, OSHA works with unions, consulates, trade and professional organizations, faith- and community-based organizations, businesses and educational institutions to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses. The purpose of each alliance is to develop compliance assistance tools and resources, and educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities. Alliance Program participants do not receive exemptions from OSHA inspections or any other enforcement benefits.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.