The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently formed a new Alliance with the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), the Council on Certification of Health, Environmental and Safety Technologists (CCHEST) and the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH). The groups will work collectively to help enhance the education and expertise of safety professionals and industrial hygienists, as well as promote the value of safety and health accredited certifications.

"Assuring the safety and health of working men and women are the foundations of our respective organizations," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. "OSHA is pleased to join with BCSP, CCHEST, and ABIH as we collaborate to develop products, programs and resources that will advance safety and industrial hygiene competency in the workplace."

In addition, the Alliance will produce materials and programs that promote the benefits of achieving safety and health certifications. Alliance representatives will collaborate to distribute information to employers and employees through print and electronic media, conferences, meetings and other events.

"BCSP is pleased to join with CCHEST and ABIH in signing our Alliance with OSHA," stated BCSP President Paul Adams. "As credentialing organizations dedicated to advancing professional expertise, we share a common goal with OSHA in helping safety, health and environmental practitioners promote safe and healthful workplaces. Through this Alliance, BCSP will work with our partners to promote the education, training and skills needed by professionals entrusted with protecting American workers, and to reach out to and encourage their certification." BCSP is a nationally and internationally accredited peer certification board that awards the Certified Safety Professional certification.

CCHEST President Kevin Moorhead acknowledged, "We are excited to work with OSHA through the Alliance with BCSP and ABIH. Each of our organizations has one goal in mind, and that is to help advance safety through certification, training and education so that safety becomes a way of life for everything we do on the job and also at home. By working together we can achieve a higher level of safety performance." Formerly known as the ABIH/BCSP Joint Committee, CCHEST certifies individuals as occupational health and safety technologists, construction health and safety technicians, and safety trained supervisors.

ABIH provides certification for the industrial hygiene profession and promotes high standards for those serving public health interests. "Promoting advanced knowledge in health and safety through this Alliance will improve the conditions in workplaces across the United States and help to ensure that workers' health is protected," said Lynn O'Donnell, ABIH executive director.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure 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.