CHANTILLY, Va. - The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA) has announced an alliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

"We're pleased to join with SMACNA and advance a positive safety and health work environment for thousands of workers in this industry," OSHA Administrator John Henshaw said. "This alliance also focuses on issues impacting Hispanic workers and small businesses and we believe it will help us cultivate what I hope will be a long-term relationship that focuses on worker safety and health throughout the entire industry."

Mark Watson, president of SMACNA, stated, "This alliance serves to establish a structure for sharing resources and opening channels of communications designed to yield safer and more healthful American workplaces. It is fitting that since we share with OSHA a mutual dedication to a safe and healthful work environment, that we combine our strengths and determination to promote an accident-free workplace."

OSHA's alliance with SMACNA will address issues including motor vehicle safety, fall protection, and personal protective equipment (emphasizing cuts and eye injuries). Both organizations have agreed to develop information, guidance, and access to training resources on those issues, and will also provide expertise in communicating that information to member employers and their workers in the industry.

OSHA and SMACNA will share information regarding the association's best practices or effective approaches, and publicize the results through developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures. The participants will pursue opportunities to speak, exhibit, or appear at conferences and events, including the annual SMACNA Convention and chapter meetings.

The alliance also calls for working with other alliance participants on specific issues and projects on sheet metal and air conditioning and the construction contracting industry's hazards. Additionally, SMACNA and OSHA will convene or participate in forums, roundtable discussions, or stakeholder meetings to help forge solutions in the workplace.

Finally, SMACNA members will be provided information on the benefits of participating in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, partnerships, the Voluntary Protection Programs, Consultation Projects, and its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program. This includes increasing access to safety and health information and available training resources for Spanish-speaking employees and small businesses.

For more information on SMACNA, visit www.smacna.org. For more information on OSHA, visit www.osha.gov.

Publication date: 08/23/2004