OSHA and the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) have renewed an Alliance aimed at promoting best practices for reducing and preventing worker exposures to health and physical hazards. With the new two-year agreement, the Alliance will continue to address non-English or limited English-speaking workers, motor vehicle safety, and awareness of workplace safety and health for public sector employees.

“Our most recent Alliance with the American Society of Safety Engineers has focused on preventing falls, sprains and strains in construction, distracted driving and hazards in shipyard employment,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health David Michaels. “Our continued Alliance with ASSE will help ensure that workers are aware of on-the-job hazards and help reduce occupational illnesses and injuries.”

Under the agreement, ASSE’s Safety Professionals and the Latino Workforce group will translate Alliance-developed products for limited- and non-English speaking workers. The Alliance will also promote the annual North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week, which will be held May 6-12. The theme for 2012 NAOSH Week is “Safety, What Every Business Needs.”

Through the Alliance Program, OSHA works with unions, consulates, trade or professional organizations, faith- and community-based organizations, businesses and educational institutions 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.