NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.
OSHA Trade Release
Please note: As of January 20, 2021, information in some news releases may be out of date or not reflect current policies.
Trade News Release
Oct. 14, 2008
Contact: Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999
WASHINGTON -- Employees in the electrical transmission and distribution industry will continue to gain useful information and best practices for protecting their safety and health through the recently renewed partnership between the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and several electrical contractors and industry trade associations.
The organizations joining OSHA in this strategic partnership are Asplundh Tree Expert Co., Henkels & McCoy, Inc., MDU Construction Services Group, Inc., MYR Group, Inc., Pike Electric, Inc., Quanta Services, Inc., the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the National Electrical Contractors Association and Edison Electric Institute.
"The major milestones this partnership has achieved thus far confirm that we are making positive strides in helping to reduce the number of injuries, illnesses and fatalities for employees in this industry," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. "We will continue to develop and implement resources that promote safe and healthful working conditions."
To further its objective of reducing workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities, the partnership established five goals: analyzing data and identifying target areas; identifying and implementing best practices; developing and delivering training; performing outreach and communication initiatives; and evaluating the partnership's performance.
The partnership completed several significant projects during the past four years including developing an industry-specific OSHA 10-hour Outreach Training Program course presented to more than 20,000 employees and supervisors; developing an industry-specific supervisory and leadership outreach training course; communicating eight best practices to partner employees; and analyzing injury, illness and fatality data for the industry. Partner fatality rates decreased by more than 50 percent during the partnership's existence.
"Only by working together through this partnership with OSHA could we have achieved the gains in reducing injuries and fatalities across the electrical transmission and distribution industry," said Rod Henkels, chief executive officer of Henkels & McCoy and chairman of the partnership Executive Committee. "With this renewal we are committed to continuing our efforts to making our industry safer for the people who do the work."
The partnership encourages industry members, employees and other interested parties to participate in the occupational safety process. Additionally, the agreement emphasizes that the partners commit to providing a safer and more healthful workplace for employees.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
U.S. Labor Department releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request at (202) 693-7828 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.
Oct. 14, 2008
Contact: Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999
OSHA renews Strategic Partnership with electrical contractors and industry trade associations
WASHINGTON -- Employees in the electrical transmission and distribution industry will continue to gain useful information and best practices for protecting their safety and health through the recently renewed partnership between the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and several electrical contractors and industry trade associations.
The organizations joining OSHA in this strategic partnership are Asplundh Tree Expert Co., Henkels & McCoy, Inc., MDU Construction Services Group, Inc., MYR Group, Inc., Pike Electric, Inc., Quanta Services, Inc., the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the National Electrical Contractors Association and Edison Electric Institute.
"The major milestones this partnership has achieved thus far confirm that we are making positive strides in helping to reduce the number of injuries, illnesses and fatalities for employees in this industry," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. "We will continue to develop and implement resources that promote safe and healthful working conditions."
To further its objective of reducing workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities, the partnership established five goals: analyzing data and identifying target areas; identifying and implementing best practices; developing and delivering training; performing outreach and communication initiatives; and evaluating the partnership's performance.
The partnership completed several significant projects during the past four years including developing an industry-specific OSHA 10-hour Outreach Training Program course presented to more than 20,000 employees and supervisors; developing an industry-specific supervisory and leadership outreach training course; communicating eight best practices to partner employees; and analyzing injury, illness and fatality data for the industry. Partner fatality rates decreased by more than 50 percent during the partnership's existence.
"Only by working together through this partnership with OSHA could we have achieved the gains in reducing injuries and fatalities across the electrical transmission and distribution industry," said Rod Henkels, chief executive officer of Henkels & McCoy and chairman of the partnership Executive Committee. "With this renewal we are committed to continuing our efforts to making our industry safer for the people who do the work."
The partnership encourages industry members, employees and other interested parties to participate in the occupational safety process. Additionally, the agreement emphasizes that the partners commit to providing a safer and more healthful workplace for employees.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
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U.S. Labor Department releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request at (202) 693-7828 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.