The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says it has renewed an alliance with the Airline Ground Safety Panel to address hazards and worker injuries related to operating aviation ground support equipment.

The Airline Ground Safety Panel is a joint industry and labor partnership that includes 11 airline companies and three unions that employ and represent 350,000 workers, which accounts for about 85 percent of the industry.

"Our continued alliance with the Airline Ground Safety Panel will focus on preventing worker injuries caused by slips, trips and falls, and being struck by objects," says David Michaels, OSHA's assistant secretary of labor. "We look forward to working with the panel to educate and train employers and workers on preventing workplace injuries."

During the two-year agreement, the alliance will develop fact sheets that highlight ways to prevent slips, trips and falls, and other hazards while operating ground safety equipment such as hi-lift trucks and pushback tugs. The alliance also will conduct studies to improve the safety of ground personnel and address hazard communications and issues associated with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.

The three labor organizations on the panel are the International Assoc-iation of Machinists and Aerospace Workers; Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO; and the Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO. They praised the alliance for furthering the shared goal to ensure that all workers return home to their families each day as healthy as when they went to work.

Airlines for America, a panel participant that represents the airline industry, also expressed its support for the alliance, stating that its member airlines are pleased to be a part of the voluntary, collaborative program with OSHA and labor union partners to further enhance the safety of airline employees.

Through its alliance program, OSHA works with unions, consulates, trade and professional organizations, faith- and community-based organizations, businesses, and educational institutions to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries, and illnesses.

The purpose of each alliance is to develop compliance assistance tools and resources and to educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities. Alliance program participants don't receive exemptions from OSHA inspections or any other enforcement benefits.