The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has

renewed its alliance with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and Roadway

Work Zone Safety and Health Partners in an effort to keep workers in roadway construction

work zones safe from injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. This is a five year alliance which focuses

on a culture of safety in the roadway construction industry, especially among non- and limited-

English speaking workers. The three member organizations will collaborate on ways to reduce

workplace incidents, specifically targeting ways to prevent worker exposure to run-over and

back-over hazards, excessive noise, sprains and strains, and illnesses related to silica exposure.

“Employees who work in highway construction work zones face serious dangers, not only from

construction equipment but from motorists as well,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for

Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. “I am confident that the information and

resources generated from this renewed alliance will prove beneficial in reducing worker injuries

and fatalities.”

This alliance has been in place since 2007, and provides documents and training courses to

prevent falls and other construction safety hazards. Additionally, the Roadway Work Zone

Safety and Health Partners have distributed information on OSHA’s campaigns to prevent falls

in construction and reduce the risk of heat illness.

If you own a business which is involved in roadway work zones, it is important that you review

the material which comes out of this alliance. It can both protect the lives of your employees and

protect your company from OSHA inspections. And if you have any questions about the

occupational safety and health policies and procedures which you currently have in place, it is

important to consult a third party occupational safety and health auditing firm to assist in the

review process.

If you have any questions about how this alliance impacts your business or about your current

occupational safety and health policies and procedures, please contact us. If you have anything to

add about this partnership, please leave a comment.