AWEA/OSHA Alliance
The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) signed an Alliance agreement on August 8, 2011 in Washington D.C.
OSHA provides several cooperative programs, which businesses, labor groups, and other organization can work cooperatively with OSHA to significantly reduce and prevent injury, illness and fatalities on job sites across the country. The Alliance Program is one such program, where OSHA and AWEA can work cooperatively to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries, and illnesses in the wind energy industry. Through the Alliance, AWEA hopes to develop compliance assistance tools, resources, training modules, and educate workers, employers, and OSHA on the hazards that workers face in the wind energy industry.
Through the Alliance, OSHA and AWEA will provide AWEA affiliates and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them 1) protect the health and safety of workers, particularly by reducing and preventing exposure to fall, electrical, and crane hazards, and 2) understand the rights of workers and the responsibilities of employers under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act).
The Alliance’s goals include:
Raising Awareness of OSHA’s Rulemaking and Enforcement Initiatives:
- To share information on occupational safety and health laws and standards, including the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers.
Training and Education:
- To develop effective training and education programs for workers in the wind energy industry regarding fall, electrical, and crane hazards in maintenance and operations, and to communicate such information to constituent employers and workers.
Outreach and communication:
- To speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA’s or AWEA’s conferences, local meetings, or other events.
Compliance assistance materials such as fact sheets, training modules, and quick tips will be made available as they are completed.
