U.S. Labor Department's OSHA Forms Safety Alliance with Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of Massachusetts

BOSTON -- Enhancing safety and health for the Bay State's plumbing, heating and cooling contractors and their employees is the goal of a new alliance between the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of Massachusetts (PHCC of MA).

Under the alliance, OSHA's three Massachusetts area offices will work with PHCC of MA to develop safety and health training and education programs for PHCC of MA members. Training will focus on reducing and preventing exposure to hazards associated with falls, electricity, lead and being struck by or caught in or between machinery.

OSHA and PHCC of MA also will share information on best practices and effective approaches to workplace safety and health, and promote and encourage PHCC of MA members' participation in OSHA's cooperative programs, including its Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP), safety and health consultation, and the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).

The alliance agreement was signed by OSHA Area Directors Brenda Gordon (Braintree), Mary Hoye (Springfield) and Francis Pagliuca (Methuen) and by PHCC of MA Executive Director Thomas Theroux. The Braintree-based PHCC of MA is a statewide organization of plumbing heating and cooling contractors. For information about this and other OSHA alliances and partnerships in New England, contact OSHA's Boston Regional Office at (617) 565-9860.

OSHA safety and health alliances are part of Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao's ongoing efforts to improve the health and safety of employees through cooperative partnerships with trade associations, labor organizations, employers and government agencies. OSHA currently has more than 468 alliances throughout the nation with organizations committed to fostering safety and health in the workplace.

For the full article please visit www.osha.gov.