Participants: U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration Chippewa Valley Technical College

Background: OSHA and the Chippewa Valley Technical College have renewed an alliance to provide information, guidance and access to training resources to employers and workers in the Chippewa Valley Technical College services area. The alliance continues the joint effort to develop effective training programs for local industry, provide safety seminars and talks, encourage worker participation in employer safety and health programs, and share information on occupational safety and health laws.

The alliance will promote a culture of worker safety and health within the general industry, construction and agricultural industries, including small businesses and non-English and limited English speaking employees, through development and sharing of information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, such as the prevention of falls, struck-by, caught-in-between and electrical. In addition, CVTC and OSHA will work together to promote awareness of OSHA's rulemakings, enforcement initiatives, and safety campaigns, including an understanding of workers' rights and employer responsibilities.

The alliance was first signed Oct. 4, 2006. The renewed agreement remains in effect for five years.

Quote: "By collaborating with the Chippewa Valley Technical College, we at OSHA can help employers train and protect their employees from preventable workplace injuries," said Mark Hysell, OSHA's area director in Eau Claire. "Our alliance allows to us to work together to foster education and provide training to improve worker safety throughout the Chippewa Valley."

Additional Background: Through its Alliance Program, OSHA works with groups committed to worker safety and health to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries, and illnesses. These groups include unions, consulates, trade or professional organizations, businesses, faith- and community-based organizations, and educational institutions. OSHA and the groups work together to develop compliance assistance tools and resources, share information with workers and employers, and educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities.

From left: Bruce Baker, president of CVTC and OSHA Area Director Mark Hysell of Eau Claire, renew an alliance to train workers about job hazards.