OSHA Re-Ups Alliance with Puerto Rican Organizations
OSHA said yesterday that it has renewed its alliance with the American Industrial Hygiene Association's Puerto Rico Local Chapter, the University of Puerto Rico's Graduate School of Public Health Medical Sciences Campus, and the Puerto Rico Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which is known as PR-OSHA. The alliance was initially signed in December 2004; it focused on minimizing exposures to indoor air, noise, and other industrial hygiene hazards. In 2006, 185 people received information or training because of the alliance.
"The response to the initial alliance was very positive and this renewal displays the mutual desire of all parties to continue this effort on behalf of the employees of Puerto Rico," said Patricia K. Clark, OSHA's regional administrator. "One of our long-range goals is to increase the number of certified safety and health professionals in Puerto Rico who will have the knowledge and ability to help employers and employees effectively identify and eliminate workplace hazards," said José A. Carpena, OSHA's area director in Puerto Rico.
The partnership was signed by Dr. Lida Orta Anés, president of the association; Dr. José Fernando Cordero, dean of the university's campus; Myrna I. Vélez, acting assistant secretary of PR-OSHA; Clark; and Carpena.