Central Illinois Chapter of ARC Joins OSHA in Alliance

Workers in central Illinois reportedly stand to benefit from an alliance signed between the Central Illinois Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The alliance is designed to reduce and prevent some of the most common workplace injuries and illnesses. The Red Cross and OSHA will provide business and industry with resources to focus on reducing and preventing exposure to falls, amputations, ergonomic injuries, chemical, electrical and other physical hazards.

“A key goal will be to help businesses develop safety and health programs that involve employers and workers in identifying and controlling hazards before they result in injuries,” said Brian Bothast, OSHA’s acting area director in Peoria. “This alliance with the American Red Cross will certainly advance this important effort.”

The Red Cross will work with OSHA to develop training and education programs on work-related safety issues. The alliance calls for OSHA and the Red Cross to share information regarding best practices or effective approaches for dealing with work-related hazards, and disseminate results through publications, training programs, workshops, seminars, or lectures. Both organizations will speak and exhibit at conferences and local meetings in central Illinois.

OSHA health and safety alliances are part of U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao’s ongoing efforts to improve health and safety for workers through cooperative partnerships.

OSHA’s role is to assure the safety and health of America’s workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health.