Read this article in:
10 December, 2000Partnership is formed between UAW, Ford and U.S. government which will lead to developing plant health and safety standards.
USA: In an unprecedented move, the IMF-affiliated United Auto Workers' Union (UAW), Ford Motor Company and the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have formed a partnership to improve worker health and safety conditions in Ford manufacturing facilities. The partnership is the first of its kind between an automotive company, employee union and the U.S. federal government and lays the groundwork for a new level of cooperation and communication between Ford, OSHA and the UAW in developing and administering plant health and safety standards.
As a result of this partnership, Ford, the UAW and OSHA have jointly developed plant inspection protocols which address material handling and hazards specific to the automotive industry. The protocols incorporate comprehensive health and safety standards adopted by Ford and the UAW and cover a variety of areas including chemical safety, skilled trade hazards, energy control and power lock outs, confined spaces, ergonomics, noise control and hearing conservation, heat stress and use of protective gear, plant vehicles and machinery.
Ford has agreed to share its health and safety monitoring system with OSHA representatives and to help train OSHA inspectors with regard to the automotive industry and the unique health and safety issues it faces. It is expected that the partnership will forge a new, non-adversarial relationship on plant health and safety issues between Ford, the UAW and OSHA, founded on cooperation, accountability, understanding and employee involvement.
Ford and the UAW will track plant health and safety incidents, submit an annual safety report to OSHA and hold an annual plant review with OSHA representatives.
"This is an important step forward in our efforts to make sure all our employees have a safe workplace," said the UAW.
Source: UAW
As a result of this partnership, Ford, the UAW and OSHA have jointly developed plant inspection protocols which address material handling and hazards specific to the automotive industry. The protocols incorporate comprehensive health and safety standards adopted by Ford and the UAW and cover a variety of areas including chemical safety, skilled trade hazards, energy control and power lock outs, confined spaces, ergonomics, noise control and hearing conservation, heat stress and use of protective gear, plant vehicles and machinery.
Ford has agreed to share its health and safety monitoring system with OSHA representatives and to help train OSHA inspectors with regard to the automotive industry and the unique health and safety issues it faces. It is expected that the partnership will forge a new, non-adversarial relationship on plant health and safety issues between Ford, the UAW and OSHA, founded on cooperation, accountability, understanding and employee involvement.
Ford and the UAW will track plant health and safety incidents, submit an annual safety report to OSHA and hold an annual plant review with OSHA representatives.
"This is an important step forward in our efforts to make sure all our employees have a safe workplace," said the UAW.
Source: UAW