Chicago, IL – The National Safety Council (NSC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced today that they will continue their successful collaboration to promote safer and more healthful American workplaces by renewing an alliance that has been in place since 2003.
Through the alliance, the NSC and OSHA join forces to improve safety and health practices in the general and construction industries, and to provide all American workers – be they nation’s employers or employees — with safety information, guidance, and access to training resources. The alliance particularly emphasizes helping small businesses and Hispanic and youth workers become aware of information and strategies for staying safe on the job.
“Every business and every worker can help make the world a safer place,” said Alan C. McMillan, NSC president and CEO. “Our shared vision and commitment with OSHA enables us to amplify the message of safety and do more to prevent accidental injuries and death.”
The alliance will continue to focus on reducing traffic collisions and related worker deaths and injuries, and providing First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training in the workplace.
The alliance has coincided with a reduction in the number of fatalities on the road and in the workplace. In 2005, the number of motor vehicle-related fatalities dropped 16 percent, while fatal workplace injuries declined 17 percent. Because 38 percent of work-related injuries were driving-related, the alliance will continue to emphasize motor vehicle safety for workers.
In addition to partnering with OSHA to develop and distribute information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, NSC will provide expertise in training for emergency response for everyone from large corporations to local day care centers. The NSC trains employee volunteers as well as teachers, firefighters, doctors, nurses, police officers, paramedics and emergency medical teams in First Aid, CPR and AED. Since the early 1990s, more than 8 million emergency responders and instructors have been certified through a National Safety Council emergency response program.
OSHA's mission is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. OSHA and its state partners have approximately 2,100 inspectors, plus complaint discrimination investigators, engineers, physicians, educators, standards writers, and other technical and support personnel spread over more than 200 offices throughout the country. This staff establishes protective standards, enforces those standards, and reaches out to employers and employees through technical assistance and consultation programs.
The National Safety Council is a nonprofit, nongovernmental, public service organization. Members of the NSC include businesses, labor organizations, schools, public agencies, private groups and individuals. Founded in 1913 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1953, the National Safety Council is committed to preventing accidental injuries in the workplace, on roads and highways, and in homes and communities.
For Immediate Release, October 15, 2007
Media Contact: Meredith Morris (630) 254-0555 media@nsc.org
