OSHA Partners With ISEA to Form Alliance

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has partnered with the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) to create new educational and training resources on workplace safety. The two organizations say they will provide workers and employers with information on how to choose the right personal protective equipment (PPE) for their respective workplace and jobs.

For the next two years, OSHA and ISEA will work together to provide workers and employers with information about PPE, including how to choose the right PPE. Of course, PPE is essential to creating a safe working environment. Whether it's a restaurant or construction site, all workplaces are required to have the appropriate PPE for workers. This isn't the workers' responsibility, either. Rather, federal law requires that employers in the United States provide their workers with the right PPE.

OSHA isn't a newcomer to workplace safety and PPE. On the contrary, it's primary goal is to reduce workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities by creating and enforcing regulations, including the use of PPE. While most workers and employers are familiar with OSHA, many have never heard of ISEA. So, what's the purpose of ISEA? While OSHA is a U.S.-based organization that focuses specifically on workplace safety, ISEA is an international organization that creates standards for workplace safety equipment and technology.

In addition to helping workers and employers choose the right PPE, the OSHA-ISEA alliance will also share information on the National Emphasis Programs as well as the rule-making process. The general objective of this alliance is to help employers and workers better understand the complexities of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act).

"Through the Alliance, OSHA and ISEA will work together to provide ISEA members, and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect the health and safety of workers, particularly on the proper selection, use, maintenance, and storage of personal protective and other personal safety equipment," wrote OSHA in a press release announcing its new partnership with ISEA.

If you're an employer, you should take advantage of the new OSHA-ISEA alliance by requesting information about PPE. As an employer, it's your responsibility to provide workers with the appropriate PPE for the job. Failure to do could leave your business susceptible to fines or other penalties -- and that's something no employer wants to see happen. You'll create a safer, more enjoyable environment in which to work by providing workers with the right PPE.