Helping Southern Tier manufacturers provide safer and healthier workplaces for their employees is the goal of a new alliance between the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier (MAST), which is based in
OSHA and MAST jointly will provide small businesses with information, guidance and access to training resources, with an emphasis on reducing hazards typically encountered in a manufacturing environment. Presentations will include OSHA's 10-hour general industry safety and health course, along with other programs on establishing and implementing effective safety and health management systems.
"An effective safety and health management system is a key tool for safeguarding employees," said Patricia K. Clark, OSHA's regional administrator in
This alliance will guide small businesses toward acceptance into OSHA's elite Voluntary Protection Programs by helping them improve their existing safety and health programs. OSHA and MAST will share best practices and effective approaches, and encourage MAST member worksites to build relationships with OSHA and the state of
"Through this alliance, OSHA is providing Southern Tier manufacturers an opportunity to become among the best of the best when it comes to workplace safety and health," said Arthur Dube, director of OSHA's area office in
The alliance was signed by MAST executive director Todd Jay Tranum and by OSHA's Clark and Dube. For information about this and other OSHA alliances and partnerships in western
OSHA safety and health alliances are part of U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao's ongoing efforts to improve the health and safety of employees through cooperative partnerships with trade associations, labor organizations, employers and government agencies. OSHA currently has more than 450 alliances throughout the nation with organizations committed to fostering safety and health in the workplace.
