OSHA 3251-03R 2011

WorkingTogether to

Improve Worker

Safety and Health

Partnerships Produce

Results

A Federal Partnership in the West:

Employees reviewed safety and health plans and

participated in walkthrough inspections. Lost

Time Case Rates were reduced 52 percent in one

year compared to the baseline year, and workers’

compensation claims were reduced 59 percent in

the same time period.

A Construction Partnership in the South:

Self-inspections identified 1,536 total hazards,

all of which were corrected without OSHA being

on-site.

An Ergonomic Partnership in the Midwest:

Partners reviewed and developed solutions to

musculoskeletal disorders. Automation of

processes reduced workers’ compensation costs

by 77 percent at one site. Employees also

reported an improvement to morale because

automation eliminated heavy lifting, pushing

and pulling, and reduced exposure to ergonomic

injuries.

For more information on Partnerships,

visit OSHA’s website at

www.osha.gov/dcsp/partnerships/index.html

Occupational

Safety and Health

Administration

If you have questions or

need more information,

contact OSHA at

1-800-321-OSHA (6742)

TTY 1-877-889-5627

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

U.S. Department of Labor

1-800-321-OSHA (6742) TTY 1-877-889-5627

www.osha.gov
OSHA’s Strategic

Partnership Program

The Strategic Partnership Program provides an

avenue for employers, employees and other

stakeholders to improve their safety and health

management systems while working with OSHA

in a cooperative, non-adversarial way. This

approach is proving to be effective in reducing

fatalities, injuries and illnesses in workplaces

across America.

Partnerships are flexible, enabling OSHA and

its partners to work together to assess mutual

concerns and create customized agreements to

improve worker safety and health. Partnerships

also strengthen relationships among labor,

industry and government partners.

How Partnerships Work

Through Partnerships, OSHA and its partners

agree to work cooperatively to address critical

safety and health issues and measure results.

Together they identify workplace safety and

health issues and develop goals, strategies, and

performance measures to address those issues.

Each partnership is established through a

written, signed agreement which usually lasts

three to five years, but which can be customized

for specific situations. The agreement may be

national, regional or local in scope.

Partners Include

Partners may be trade associations such as

building contractor or nursing home associations;

unions such as the United Automobile,

Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers

of America or the International Brotherhood of

Electrical Workers; and employers in industries

such as construction, food processing or public

warehousing and storage. Partners may be

large entities but most often are small businesses averaging fewer than 50 employees.

Other stakeholders may include local/state

governments, State Consultation Projects and

insurance companies, which often contribute

expertise and resources. OSHA serves mainly

as a technical resource and facilitator.

Partnerships Are

Valuable to Employers

Partnerships help employers:

• Develop practical skills to identify and abate

hazards;

• Establish effective safety and health management systems;

• Obtain access to technical assistance and

other educational resources;

• Work closely with partnering Consultation

Projects;

Working Together to Improve Worker Safety and Health

• Reduce injury and illness rates, workers’ compensation rates, absenteeism and other costs;

• Increase productivity;

• Enhance positive relations with employees

beyond safety and health activities; and

• Transform relations with OSHA from adversarial

to cooperative.

Partnerships Are

Valuable to Workers

Partnerships help workers:

• Reduce their risk of death, injury and illness;

• Increase practical safety and health knowledge

and skills;

• Take an active role in their own safety and

health protection; and

• Strengthen morale.

Partnerships Are

Valuable to OSHA

Partnerships help OSHA:

• Encourage cooperation among workers,

employers and other stakeholders;

• Leverage resources;

• Showcase industry models to encourage

employers to take a proactive approach to

improve workplace safety and health; and

• Reach employers and employees with

important safety and health information.