MIOSHA and Precision Metalforming Association Renew Alliance to Protect Workers

Lansing, MI (WorkersCompensation.com) - The Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) renewed their formal alliance today to help protect the safety and health of Michigan workers in the metalforming industry. The MIOSHA program is part of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).

"We are pleased to reaffirm our commitment with the Precision Metalforming Association and their East and West Michigan Districts to protect our working men and women in the metalforming industry," said MIOSHA Director Martha Yoder. "This alliance has fostered a collaborative relationship to share best practices and help create safer and healthier workplaces throughout Michigan."

The Alliance provides a working relationship between MIOSHA, PMA, and the PMA East and West Michigan Districts, to develop and disseminate information that helps protect the safety and health of Michigan workers through outreach and communication, as well as influence employers and management to ensure that safety is viewed as a priority in the workplace.

Signing the alliance were: William E. Gaskin, President, PMA; Richard Sbroglia, Safety Committee Chair, PMA East Michigan District; Joe Hartings; Safety Committee Chair, PMA West Michigan District; Martha Yoder, Director, MIOSHA Program; Bart Pickelman, Deputy Director, MIOSHA Program; and Nella Davis-Ray, Director, MIOSHA Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division. The signing ceremony was hosted by E&E Manufacturing at their Plymouth facility.

"A strong commitment to workplace safety practices is extraordinarily important to the metalforming industry to protect our most important asset, the men and women who work hard every day to make the products to meet the needs of our customers", said PMA President William E. Gaskin. "The MIOSHA Alliance has helped PMA and our East and West Michigan District members collaborate with MIOSHA to provide Michigan metalforming companies with targeted information and improved access to training resources to help assure a safe working environment, protecting the safety and health of our workers."

Alliances enable organizations committed to workplace safety and health to collaborate with MIOSHA to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. Through participation and support of this alliance, the PMA East and West Michigan Districts will promote a "workplace free of recognizable hazards" within the metalforming industry, while improving knowledge and understanding of the fundamental requirements established by MIOSHA.

The key goals of this alliance include:

• Reduce and prevent exposure to ergonomic hazards and address press safety issues such as machine guarding and lockout/tagout to prevent amputations and other injuries.
• Create and develop training resources and other materials to promote worker safety in the metalforming industry.
• Develop a collaborative relationship between MIOSHA and the PMA East and West Michigan Districts to provide a safe work environment.
• Work together to keep the industry competitive globally by promoting the industry's latest advances in pressroom safety.

"The MIOSHA program is dedicated to working with employers, both public and private sector - to find innovative ways to enhance workplace safety and health," said MIOSHA Director Martha Yoder. "Through alliances, MIOSHA can offer employers a voluntary, cooperative relationship to eliminate serious hazards and achieve a high level of safety and health.

PMA is the full-service trade association representing the $113-billion metalforming industry of North America-the industry that creates precision metal products using stamping, fabricating, spinning, slide forming and roll forming technologies, and other value-added processes. Its nearly 1,000 member companies also include suppliers of equipment, materials and services to the industry. PMA leads innovative member companies toward superior competitiveness and profitability through advocacy, networking, statistics, the PMA Educational Foundation, FABTECH and METALFORM tradeshows, and MetalForming magazine, which reaches more than 53,000 readers every month. More information is available on their website, www.pma.org.

There are many benefits to participating in an alliance with MIOSHA. Through this program, organizations will:

• Build trusting, cooperative relationships;
• Network with others committed to workplace safety and health;
• Exchange information about best practices;
• Leverage resources to maximize worker safety and health protection.

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