OSHA Forms Alliance with Altec

Furthering the safety and health of utility and construction workers is the goal of an Alliance signed this week between the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and a manufacturer of cranes, derricks and specialty equipment for the utility construction industry.

Altec Industries joined with OSHA in a formal Alliance to address the safe operation of cranes, digger derricks, and insulated and non-insulated aerial devices (including tree care devices), with a focus on reducing fall and electrocution hazards.

“Reducing injuries, illnesses and fatalities especially throughout the utility and construction industry is a priority for this agency,” said Jonathan Snare, Acting OSHA administrator. “The collective expertise of Altec and OSHA can create a significant impact on improving the safety and health of workers in the industry. This Alliance gives us the tools to achieve positive gains toward that end and also helps encourage employers and workers to commit to safe work practices.”

Added Altec President and Chief Executive Officer Lee Styslinger, III: “This Alliance with OSHA is another important opportunity for Altec to further our commitment to educating utility and construction crews on safe work practices. The agreement allows us to collaborate with OSHA and implement critical safety initiatives by networking with other organizations committed to workplace safety. The sharing of this knowledge and the increased training and education provided by the agreement will help make utility and construction job sites safer and healthier places to work.”

Training and education is a key component to the Alliance which calls for the development of training programs in English and Spanish on the safe operation and proper use of cranes, digger derricks and aerial devices. Altec will also help OSHA develop ways of communicating that information throughout the industry through print and electronic media, including electronic assistance tools and both organization’s Web sites.

OSHA and Altec will share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding Altec’s best practices and help publicize it through written materials, training programs, workshops, seminars and lectures.

Finally, both organizations will take the opportunity to speak, exhibit and appear at conferences, events, stakeholder meetings and roundtable discussions to discuss safety and health issues for the industry while helping to forge innovative solutions to reduce workplace hazards.

Altec is a manufacturer of aerial devices, digger derricks, cranes and specialty equipment for the utility, telecommunications, tree care, lights and signs and construction industries. Altec has manufacturing, sales and service facilities located throughout North America.