FEBRUARY 2008

Mohawk Valley Safety Professionals Consortium Named to OSHA Alliance Program

The Mohawk Valley Safety Professionals Consortium (MVSPC), a group of more than 80 area employers working to improve workplace safety and health, today (Thursday, February 14) was named to the Alliance Program of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).  

Through the program, the Consortium will work closely with OSHA and other participating groups to develop compliance assistance tools and resources, suggest legislative reforms and share information with employers and employees to help prevent workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities. OSHA will also provide specialized safety training to MVSPC members.

The announcement of the two-year alliance was made by OSHA’s Acting Regional Administrator Louis Ricca, Jr., Area Director Christopher Adams and Compliance Assistance Specialist David Heckman, with MVSPC board members Bruce Kapfer of Revere Cooper Products, Scott Millbower of ConMed Corporation, Scott Wierzbicki of DiVal Safety, and David Lyman and Wendy Fical of Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy, at the Consortium’s February meeting held at the Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy insurance agency in New Hartford. Also in attendance were Senator Joseph Griffo, Congresswoman RoAnn Destito, Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente and Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara.

“The Consortium is excited about what this relationship not only means to our organization, but to the overall safety and health of employees throughout the Mohawk Valley,” said Millbower, who is safety manager at ConMed Corporation.

He noted that United States Department of Labor statistics for 2006, the most recent year for which data is available, report that nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses among private industry employers occurred in 4.4 cases per 100 equivalent full-time workers — a decline from 4.6 cases in 2005. Moreover, nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses reported in 2006 declined to 4.1 million cases, compared to 4.2 million cases the previous year.

“Without a doubt, safety is on the rise,” Millbower added, “but there is more work to be done. The alliance will enable us to further enhance the resources and networking opportunities available to help maximize workplace safety and health — through training programs, educational presentations and legislative reforms — to ultimately help save lives, control workers compensation costs and even attract new business to the area through the lower costs associated with safer workplaces.”

Founded in 2001, the Mohawk Valley Safety Professionals Consortium is comprised of area manufacturers, educational organizations, health care groups, service providers and other professionals representing the safety and health concerns of thousands of local workers.

An agency of the United States Department of Labor, OSHA monitors the safety and health of the nation’s workforce by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging ongoing improvement in workplace safety- and health-related matters.

Developed, maintained and hosted for Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy Insurance by

... when it's time to establish an Internet presence.