AF&PA Forms Alliance with OSHA and PPSA to Improve Safety
November 2005
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WASHINGTON, DC -The American Forest & Paper Association today formed an alliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Pulp & Paper Safety Association (PPSA) to focus on reducing the frequency and severity of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in employees of the forest, pulp and paper industries. The alliance will educate companies on ergonomic options to improve the health and safety of their employees.
"Our member companies have a long history of conducting research and adopting practices to ensure the continued health and safety of our industry's employees," said Sharon Kneiss, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at AF&PA. "Our association is very pleased to partner with OSHA and PPSA on this important venture. We support efforts to reduce workplace injuries, and we are confident that musculoskeletal disorders are avoidable."
Jonathan L. Snare, Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, said, "We look forward to using our joint expertise to provide workers in the forest and paper-related industries with training and knowledge that will help them stay safe and healthy on the job."
Pam Cordier, Executive Director of the PPSA, added, "We are very pleased to be working with OSHA and our industry workers in identifying opportunities for continuous improvement in ergonomic applications in our production processes."
Members of the alliance will develop training and education materials on ergonomics techniques and applications in the industry and present them in appropriate forums. AF&PA, along with PPSA, will cross-train OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals in effective approaches for reducing safety hazards in the industry. Additionally, members plan to share information on potential ergonomics issues and possible solutions with others in the industry and publicize the results through outreach and web postings. The alliance will meet yearly to discuss the application of these goals.
"Our member companies have a long history of conducting research and adopting practices to ensure the continued health and safety of our industry's employees," said Sharon Kneiss, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at AF&PA. "Our association is very pleased to partner with OSHA and PPSA on this important venture. We support efforts to reduce workplace injuries, and we are confident that musculoskeletal disorders are avoidable."
Jonathan L. Snare, Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, said, "We look forward to using our joint expertise to provide workers in the forest and paper-related industries with training and knowledge that will help them stay safe and healthy on the job."
Pam Cordier, Executive Director of the PPSA, added, "We are very pleased to be working with OSHA and our industry workers in identifying opportunities for continuous improvement in ergonomic applications in our production processes."
Members of the alliance will develop training and education materials on ergonomics techniques and applications in the industry and present them in appropriate forums. AF&PA, along with PPSA, will cross-train OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals in effective approaches for reducing safety hazards in the industry. Additionally, members plan to share information on potential ergonomics issues and possible solutions with others in the industry and publicize the results through outreach and web postings. The alliance will meet yearly to discuss the application of these goals.
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