Construction workers'' safety and health in Louisiana will be enhanced by the recent signing of a partnership between OSHA and the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), Shreveport Chapter.
The agreement will allow OSHA to pinpoint problem work sites for regular inspections rather than work sites that have demonstrated effective safety and health programs.
OSHA and the AGC will conduct safety training for the partnership members in order to improve hazard recognition and corrective action taken at the work sites.
"The partnership should provide a higher level of employee safety and health training," said John Miles, OSHA''s regional administrator in Dallas. "Additionally, it should also benefit the subcontractors who work for the participating contractors."
Establishing partnerships with the private sector to improve safety and health is one of OSHA''s major goals.
While participation in the partnership is voluntary, OSHA anticipates that contractors will experience a decrease in workplace accidents and worker compensation costs.
"The partnership will help OSHA to achieve its strategic goal of reducing injuries, illnesses and fatalities in the construction industry," said John Deifer, OSHA area director in Baton Rouge.
by Virginia Sutcliffe