Region 3 News Release: 11-79-PHI (osha 11-007)
Jan. 25, 2011
Contact: Leni Fortson Joanna Hawkins
Phone: 215-861-5102 215-861-5101
E-mail: uddyback-fortson.lenore@dol.gov hawkins.joanna@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA forms partnership to protect workers
involved with Porter Neuroscience Research Center expansion
National Institutes of Health, contracting and management companies partner with OSHA

BETHESDA, Md. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently announced a partnership with the National Institutes of Health, The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co. and the Jacobs Project Management Co. to promote workplace safety and health, and to provide guidance and training for workers involved in the expansion of the Porter Neuroscience Research Center in Bethesda.

"This partnership strengthens OSHA's commitment to keep these workers safe," said Michael Walterschied, director of OSHA's Baltimore Area Office, who represented the agency at a recent signing ceremony at NIH in Bethesda. "With fall hazards a leading cause of death in the construction industry, we look forward to working closely with our partners to identify methods for reducing falls and other hazards."

The partnership aims to reduce the number of at-risk conditions and behaviors that could result in worker fatalities, injuries or illnesses, especially those relating to falls, struck-by, caught-in and electrical accidents. For more information about this partnership, call OSHA's Baltimore Area Office at 410-865-2057.

The OSHA Strategic Partnership Program provides the opportunity for OSHA to partner with employers, workers, professional or trade associations, labor organizations and other interested stakeholders. OSHA Strategic Partnerships are formalized through unique agreements designed to encourage, assist and recognize partner efforts to eliminate serious hazards, and achieve model workplace safety and health practices. Each partnership establishes specific goals, strategies and performance measures to improve worker safety and health. OSHA Strategic Partnership models are focused on improving safety and health in major corporations/government agencies, on at large construction projects and for entire industries. The OSPP is available to private sector industries and government agencies in locales where OSHA has jurisdiction. For more information on OSPP and other cooperative programs, visit http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/compliance_assistance/index_programs.html.

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 assure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.