Renewed Alliance Addresses Trenching, Excavation Hazards
The American Pipeline Contractors Association has renewed its alliance with OSHA, promising to continue developing safe practices training documents for workers in the pipeline construction industry and the general public. "Excavation and Trenching Best Practices for Operators" and "Horizontal Directional Drilling Best Practices for Operators" are two of 10 fact sheets APCA has developed so far through the partnership.
All of the APCA fact sheets describe best safety practices when working with equipment such as backhoes, sidebooms, and trenching machines. The renewed alliance also will focus on hydrostatic testing, a common way of locating leaks in pressurized vessels such as pipelines and plumbing. This test helps maintain the safety and durability of a vessel over time.
"We are pleased to renew our alliance with APCA in a continued effort to develop products for reducing injuries and fatalities among pipeline construction workers," said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Donald G. Shalhoub. "I am confident that future collaboration will generate more resources and information for preventing construction hazards and promoting safe and healthful worksites."
The alliance provides small businesses and non-English and limited-English speaking employees with training materials accessible on the OSHA and APCA alliance Web page at www.osha.gov/dcsp/alliances/apca/apca.html. APCA represents pipeline contractors along with manufacturers and suppliers of pipeline-related products and services. Established in 1971, the association addresses safety, environmental, and security issues within the pipeline industry.