OSHA Alliance Seeks to Protect Workers from Lyme Disease
A safety fact sheet on Lyme disease is among the products developed by the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) through the recently renewed OSHA alliance. The fact sheet describes the causes, symptoms, treatment, and methods for preventing Lyme disease for people who work or spend time outdoors in grassy or wooded areas.
A companion Quick Card on Lyme disease also was developed by TCIA through the Alliance and addresses how to prevent tick bites. Two additional TCIA Quick Cards provide information on potential hazards and safe work practices regarding the operation of chipper winches and hydraulic dump bodies.
"We are pleased to continue our relationship with TCIA in increasing awareness of the dangers that exist in the tree care industry," said Donald G. Shalhoub, deputy assistant secretary of labor. "I am confident that in the coming years, our alliance will achieve even greater success in helping to reduce workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities among this industry's employees."
Cynthia Mills, CAE, TCIA president and CEO said, "The Tree Care Industry Association remains committed to improving the safe working conditions of professional arborists every day. Continuing in an alliance with OSHA is one critical component of our strategy to be successful in mitigating hazards for our industry's employees."
Through the alliance program, OSHA representatives participated in industry conferences and events and made presentations to tree care safety and health professionals at the TCI EXPO 2007 Trade Show and Conference, and several TCIA Certified Treecare Safety Professional workshops in 2008.
To view the checklist and other materials, go to www.osha.gov/dcsp/alliances/tcia_new/tcia.html.