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09/01/2006
From the NATE Office
After years of hard work between NATE and OSHA, a national partnership is very close to completion. At the 2006 NATE Summer Conference, the Board of Directors approved the most recent version of the partnership agreement as submitted by OSHA.
NATE and OSHA have been working on this agreement for nearly three years. Reaching an agreement is a testament to the determination of both NATE and OSHA to develop a partnership aimed at improving safety and health for NATE member companies.
In many ways, the Partnership will operate like the Region V Partnership -- participating NATE members will agree to meet safety and training requirements and OSHA will agree to utilize focused inspections, provide compliance assistance, and offer penalty reductions.
This agreement goes beyond those steps, however, to include the opportunity for additional reductions in penalties, no citations for other-than-serious violations when violations are immediately abated, authority for Regional Administrators to negotiate penalty reductions, and compliance officer training to further a better understanding of our industry.
The agreement also establishes a Partnership Management Team for NATE and OSHA to utilize in reviewing and addressing issues that may arise within the Partnership.
In a year marked by increased industry fatalities, the development of a national partnership gives NATE members the opportunity to demonstrate their increased dedication to safety. The Association is hopeful that members will take advantage of this opportunity and participate in the Partnership.
The next step in the process is to sign the partnership agreement. Following that, information regarding the application process will be sent to NATE members. In the interim, if you have any questions about this exciting development, please do not hesitate to contact me.
The approval of a partnership agreement was only one of many items covered at the Summer Conference. Full reports will be provided in my column, the Chairman’s Message, and Committee Updates in the October Tower Times.
Until then, remember, Safety First... Safety Always!
Patrick Howey is the NATE Executive Director. He can be reached at 888-882-5865 or patrick@natehome.com
Patrick Howey
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