U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA establishes alliance with Minneapolis-based American Warehouse Systems

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. -- The Eau Claire Area Office of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and American Warehouse Systems in Minneapolis, a registered contractor with the federal government, will take steps to reduce and prevent injuries and illnesses in the warehouse industry through an alliance signed today.

"This alliance seeks to reach employees and employers at all levels, and provide them with the knowledge and ability to anticipate, identify and eliminate work-related hazards in warehousing," said Mark Hysell, OSHA's area director in Eau Claire.

The alliance partners will work together to develop and distribute safety and health training materials for warehousing to enable employers and employees to implement and follow best practice standards and guidelines. OSHA and American Warehouse Systems will promote these materials at conferences, meetings and other local events as well as through their individual Web sites and other media.

OSHA has improved workplace safety and health over the past 38 years. This success is reflected in the latest data (2007) showing the lowest national injury and illness incidence rate that the Bureau of Labor Statistics has ever recorded. OSHA continues to work diligently to focus its resources where they will have the most impact in assuring that every working man and woman returns home safely every day.

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 assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health.

For more information please contact American Warehouse Systems at 877-677-9066 or visit our website at www.aw-systems.com.