US Department of Labor's OSHA renews strategic partnership to reduce injuries and lost work time at Ford Motor Co. auto plants

Partnership includes UAW, ACH and MIOSHA

WASHINGTON, June 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Dr. David Michaels has signed an agreement renewing OSHA's partnership with Ford Motor Co., the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America and Automotive Component Holdings LLC, and welcoming the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration as a new partner.

"OSHA's partnership with Ford and the UAW has helped significantly reduce the frequency and severity of worker injuries," said Michaels. "The partnership is a win-win for management and labor.  It contributes to Ford's competitiveness in the global economy while protecting the safety and health of thousands of workers."

The goal of this strategic partnership is to prevent occupational fatalities, injuries and illnesses at participating Ford Motor Co. and Automotive Component Holdings locations in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri and New York.

Since 2000, OSHA has had a partnership with Ford and the UAW.  ACH joined the partnership more recently.  The partnership has resulted in a 74 percent reduction in total case incident rates and an 88 percent decrease in days away from work, restricted duty and job transfers, better known as "DART," rates. In 2010, 75 percent of worksites participating in this partnership had DART rates below Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics industry averages.

Plants covered by this agreement under federal OSHA include: Chicago Assembly Plant and Chicago Stamping Plant, Chicago, Ill.; Kansas City Stamping Plant, Kansas City, Mo.; Buffalo Stamping Plant, Hamburg, N.Y.; Cleveland Engine Plants 1 and 2, Brook Park, Ohio; Lima Engine Plant, Lima, Ohio; Ohio Assembly Plant, Avon Lake, Ohio; Sharonville Transmission Pant, Sharonville, Ohio; Sandusky Plastics Plant, Sandusky, Ohio; and Walton Hills Stamping Plant, Walton Hills, Ohio.

Michigan plants covered by this agreement under state OSHA include: Dearborn Tool and Die Plant; Dearborn Truck Plant; Dearborn Diversified Manufacturing Plant; Dearborn Stamping Plant; Dearborn Engine and Fuel Tank Plant; Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne; Woodhaven Stamping Plant; Livonia Transmission Plant and National PDC in Livonia; Van Dyke Transmission Plant and Sterling Transaxle Plant in Sterling Heights; Romeo Engine Plant; Rawsonville Parts Plant; Brownstown Parts Redistribution Center in Romulus; Woodhaven Forge Plant; and Saline Instruments and Plastics Plant and the Sheldon Road Plant in Plymouth Township.

Through its Strategic Partnership Program, OSHA works with employers, employees, professional and trade associations, labor organizations and other interested stakeholders to establish specific goals, strategies and performance measures to improve worker safety and health. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/partnerships/index.html.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees.  OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.   

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov.  The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.  

SOURCE U.S. Department of Labor