June 29, 2011
Contact: Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999

OSHA renews Alliance with Scaffold Industry Association

WASHINGTON – The Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today renewed its Alliance with the Scaffold Industry Association Inc. (SIA) that aims to protect the safety and health of workers who work on scaffolds from falls and other deadly hazards.

"The materials developed through our Alliance are valuable resources for training and educating workers on the hazards they can face in their jobs and how they can be prevented," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. "Four of the ten most frequently cited OSHA construction standards involve scaffolding, so renewing this Alliance is a great opportunity to build on our work to better protect the men and women who work on scaffolds."

Since the nationwide Alliance was first signed in 2008, OSHA and SIA have developed Transport Platforms and Mast Climbing Work Platforms safety materials relating to scaffold and fall hazards, as well as applicable American National Safety Institute (ANSI) consensus standards. Several of these products have been translated into Spanish and Portuguese.

Goals of the renewed Alliance include increasing awareness of OSHA's rulemaking and enforcement initiatives, developing new effective training and education programs, and conducting outreach and communication activities on workers' rights and employers' responsibilities. The organizations will continue to emphasize scaffold safety, including issues related to mast climbing scaffolding, suspended scaffolding, and aerial lift equipment.

SIA is a national trade organization, founded in 1972, that represents the scaffold, aerial lift and access industry. SIA promotes safety in these areas by developing educational and training courses, audiovisual programs, and codes of safe practices. It has over 1,000 member companies including aerial platform dealers and distributors; scaffold and shoring erectors and renters; plank and platform manufacturers and distributors; safety and engineering consultants; and government officials.

Through the 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, faith- and community-based organizations, businesses 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. Alliance Program participants do not receive exemptions from OSHA programmed inspections.

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.

###

U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this release will be made available in alternative format upon request (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the Central Office for Assistive Services and Technology. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.