Author: Ben Conaway : 09/16/08

HERMITAGE, Pa. — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today joined ELLWOOD Crankshaft and Machine Inc. (ECM) to announce a partnership designed to foster a safe workplace for employees, and implement a successful safety and health management system. The signing ceremony was held today at the company’s facility in Hermitage.

“This agreement is another stepping stone toward creating a safe and healthful work environment,” said Theresa Naim, director of OSHA’s area office in Erie, Pa. “Our partnership with ECM strengthens our goal of eliminating employee exposure to jobsite safety and health hazards.”

As part of the partnership, ECM will promote, institute and maintain a safety and health management system to protect its employees based on OSHA guidelines which include: management leadership and employee involvement, worksite analysis, hazard prevention and control, and training.

ECM also will aim to reduce injury and illness rates to levels that would make it eligible to apply for OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) in two years. More than 2,000 worksites nationwide have earned entry into OSHA’s VPP. Over the years, the VPP has proven to be an effective means of reducing injuries, illnesses, fatalities and costs, while fostering a more productive workforce and increasing employee morale.

full article here: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=16598