Construction workers'' safety and health in Louisiana will be enhanced by the partnership between OSHA and the Louisiana Associated General Contractors Inc. (AGC).
The agreement signed yesterday will allow OSHA to more effectively utilize its resources by targeting problem work sites for regular inspection rather than work sites that have demonstrated effective safety and health programs.
OSHA and the AGC will conduct safety training for the partnership members to improve hazard recognition and take corrective actions at the work sites.
"The partnership will provide a higher level of employee safety and health training," said John Miles Jr., OSHA''s regional administrator in Dallas. "Additionally, it should benefit the subcontractors who work for the participating contractors."
While participation in the partnership is voluntary, OSHA anticipates that contractors who enter into the partnerships such as this will experience fewer workplace accidents and a decrease in workers'' 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