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Updated: Feb 8th, 2012 - 06:46:21 |
Region 1 News Release: 05-2114-BOS/BOS 2005-316
Thursday, November 3, 2005
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald
Phone: (617) 565-2074
New Alliance to Benefit Safety of Union Electrical Workers and Apprentices throughout Maine
AUGUSTA, Maine -- Enhancing safe and healthful working conditions for union electricians and electrical apprentices throughout the state of Maine is the goal of a new alliance among the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Locals No. 567 and No. 1253, and the Maine/New Hampshire Division, Boston Chapter, of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).
OSHA health and safety alliances are part of U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao's ongoing efforts to improve the health and safety of workers through cooperative partnerships with employers, trade associations and labor unions. NECA is the trade association for union electrical contractors in Maine while IBEW Locals 567 and 1253 represent union electricians in the state.
Under the alliance, participants will work together to develop and deliver training and education programs on construction safety and health issues such as electrical, fall, caught in or between and struck-by hazards. This will include presentations of OSHA's 10- and 30-hour construction safety and health courses to electricians and apprentices.
"This alliance is an excellent opportunity to equip electricians throughout the state with an extra tool for their workbelt - knowledge that will help them spot and prevent work hazards," said Anthony Lemire, OSHA's area director for Maine. "The inclusion of apprentices is particularly exciting since it will provide vital training they can carry forward into their careers."
The alliance will also encourage participation by IBEW and NECA worksites in OSHA's cooperative programs, such as the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP), safety consultation, and the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).
Signing the alliance were Lemire; Milton McBreairty, business manager of IBEW Local No. 567; Wayne Rancourt, business manager of IBEW Local No. 1253; and Thomas Driscoll, vice president of the Boston Chapter, Maine/New Hampshire Division, of the NECA. A photograph of the signing is available by e-mailing fitzgerald.edmund@dol.gov.
OSHA has created more than 350 alliances with organizations committed to fostering safety and health in the workplace. For more information about this and other alliances in Maine, call OSHA's Augusta office at (207) 626-9160.
Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role 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. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
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