June 24, 2011
Contact: Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999

OSHA renews Alliance with Sealant, Waterproofing
and Restoration Institute

WASHINGTON – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration today renewed its Alliance with the Sealant, Waterproofing and Restoration Institute (SWRInstitute) that aims to reduce worker exposures to industry hazards such as falls, exposure to chemicals, and confined spaces.

"The compliance assistance materials created through this Alliance are good sources of safety and health information for employers and workers in the sealant, waterproofing and restoration industry," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. "I expect the materials generated through the continuation of the Alliance to further assist employers and workers in recognizing and preventing hazardous working conditions."

OSHA and SWRInstitute have used the Alliance to develop a safety and health field manual that identifies key hazards and OSHA requirements for issues associated with sealant and waterproofing industry worksites, including competent person, aerial and scissor lift, excavation and trenching, fall protection, and respiratory protection.

The Alliance partners also worked jointly on OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Web page on the Sealant, Waterproofing and Restoration Industry, which lists construction standards that address requirements specific to this industry such as welding and cutting, fall protection, hazard communication and electrical.

With a two-year extension, the Alliance will continue to focus on advancing workplace safety and health by providing SWRInstitute members and others in the sealant, waterproofing, and restoration industry – including small businesses – with information, guidance and training to help protect worker safety and health.

SWRInstitute is a nonprofit corporation of over 230 commercial contractors, manufacturers and consultants of sealant, waterproofing and restoration products. More than 10,000 workers in this industry are SWRInstitute members.

Through the Alliance Program, OSHA works with groups committed to worker safety and health to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses. These groups include unions, consulates, trade or professional organizations, faith- and community-based organizations, businesses and educational institutions. OSHA and the groups work together to develop compliance assistance tools and resources, share information with workers and employers, and educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities. Alliance Program participants do not receive exemptions from OSHA programmed inspections.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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