OSHA Joins Alliance with Material Handling Industry to Prevent Injuries

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has formed an alliance with the Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA), Hoist Manufacturers Institute (HMI), and Monorail Manufacturers Association (MMA) that aims to prevent amputations and exposure to ergonomic-related hazards in the material handling industry.

“This alliance is a great opportunity to make real progress in reducing and preventing serious or fatal accidents in the material handling industry,” said Jonathan Snare, acting assistant secretary of Labor for OSHA. “Together we can focus our efforts and resources on identifying and implementing the best industry practices to improve worker protections and help keep crane, hoist, and monorail operators safe and healthy.”

“We recognize that a safe and healthy workplace is a fundamental requirement for worker satisfaction, productivity and business success,” said F. Hal Vandiver, executive vice president, Material Handling Industry of America. “The Crane Manufacturers Association of America, the Hoist Manufacturers Institute and the Monorail Manufacturers Association believe that this alliance with OSHA is vital to providing crane, hoist and monorail systems owners and operators critical information, guidance and training. We look forward to working with our OSHA colleagues to advance workplace safety and health.”

The alliance focuses on providing crane, hoist and monorail systems owners and operators, with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees’ health and safety. Through the alliance, the organizations will focus on reducing and preventing exposure to workplace hazards associated with amputations and ergonomics.

The organizations will jointly develop workplace safety and health materials on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and provide expertise in developing ways of communicating the information to employers and employees in the industry. Alliance members will participate in forums, round table discussions, and stakeholder meetings to discuss the use of crane, hoist, and monorail equipment in the workplace.

CMAA, HMI and MMA are affiliated trade associations of the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA). Founded in 1955, CMAA represents overhead crane manufacturers. HMI was founded in 1956 and represents manufacturers of overhead handling hoists. MMA, founded in 1933, represents companies that produce enclosed track underhung cranes and monorail systems.