Consider an OSHA Partnership For an Upcoming Project

What is an OSHA Partnership?

The OSHA Strategic Partnership Program (OSPP) for Worker Safety and Health, created by OSHA on November 13, 1998 was designed to broaden the impact of cooperative programs on worker safety and health. OSHA Partnership is an extended, voluntary, cooperative relationship between OSHA, employers, employees, and employee representatives in order to encourage, assist, and recognize their efforts to eliminate serious hazards and achieve a high level of worker safety and health.

 

In a Partnership, OSHA and its partners identify a common goal, develop plans for achieving that goal, and cooperate in implementation. Partnerships aim at having a measurable, positive impact on the workplace by preventing or reducing occupational fatalities, injuries, and illnesses. Examples of partnership goals include:

• Help participants establish an effective Safety and Health Management System;
• Train managers and workers on the hazards common to their industry, recognition of actual hazards at their worksite, and ways to eliminate or control these hazards;
• Create ways to share expertise and other resources among participating partners and others;
• Promote an atmosphere that will encourage workers to exercise their rights under the OSH Act.

The established goals are tracked and measured to evaluate progress and its impacts on the reduction of workplace illness and injury rates.

Why should I participate in an OSHA Partnership?

It is an opportunity to work cooperatively with OSHA and workers to identify the most serious workplace hazards, develop workplace-appropriate safety and health management systems, share resources, and find effective ways to reduce worker injuries, illnesses, and deaths.

Partnering with OSHA is appropriate for the many employers who want to do the right thing but need help in strengthening worker safety and health at their worksites. Incentives offered by OSHA include outreach, information, training, and technical assistance. Free on-site services may be provided by OSHA-funded Illinois State Consultation Program to qualifying partners. In addition partners are recognized on news releases issued by OSHA and on OSHA’s web page.

Within the OSHA Strategic Partnership Program, management, labor, and OSHA have proven that old adversaries can become new allies committed to cooperative solutions to the problems of worker safety and health.

When and who do I contact if I am interested in an OSHA partnership?

Contact your local OSHA office prior to the start of a construction project if you are interested in partnering with OSHA. Partnerships can focus on all hazards at a worksite or one or more hazard of particular concern. You can meet with the Area Office to discuss details, specific goals and explore possibilities of entering into a Partnership.

Contact your local OSHA Area Office at:

Aurora Area Office
365 Smoke Tree Plaza
North Aurora, IL 60542
Phone: 630-896-8700

Calumet City Area Office
1600 167th Street, Suite 9
Calumet City, IL 60409
Phone: 708-8913800

Chicago North Area Office
701 Lee St., Suite 950
Des Plaines, IL 60016
Phone: 847-803-4800

For additional information and to look at the current active OSHA Strategic Partnerships click here.