Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

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Chicago
Region


Please note: As of January 20, 2021, information in some news releases may be out of date or not reflect current policies.
Region 5 News Release: 08-1316-CHI
Oct. 1, 2008
Contact: Scott Allen or Brad Mitchell
Phone: 312-353-6976


U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA forms safety and health partnership with St. Croix Falls, Wis., branch of National Park Service

ST. CROIX FALLS, Wis. -- The goals of a new partnership between the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the St. Croix Falls National Park are to develop and implement an effective comprehensive safety and health management system, and to reduce injuries and other worksite hazards at the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

"Working together to share best practices, and to develop and implement a safety and health management system will be the principal focuses of this partnership," said Mark Hysell, OSHA's area director in Eau Claire, Wis. "If we can provide the employer and its employees with the knowledge and ability to anticipate, identify and eliminate work-related hazards, we will get that much closer to eliminating job-related injuries."

St. Croix National Scenic Riverway has five departments that employ approximately 80 employees for the park. These employees face an array of potential hazards while working in the park and at the office, and while commuting.

OSHA's Strategic Partnership Program is part of U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao's ongoing efforts to improve the health and safety of employees through cooperative relationships with trade associations, labor organizations, employers and employees. More than 1.4 million employees and more than 26,000 employers across the United States have participated with OSHA in more than 530 strategic partnerships since the program began in 1998.

OSHA has improved workplace safety and health over the past 37 years. This success is reflected in the latest data (2006) showing the lowest national injury and illness incidence rate that the Bureau of Labor Statistics has ever recorded. OSHA will continue to work diligently to focus its resources where they will have the most impact in assuring that every working man and woman returns home safely every day.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.


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