The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) signed a historic one-year Alliance with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to enhance worker safety and health in the nation's steel mills. Two other major trade associations representing basic and specialty steel producers also signed the Alliance, agreeing to work together to improve employee safety.

Key elements of the Alliance will be built around the development of a steel industry safety and health management process reference tool, disseminating safety related information through OSHA and steel industry print and electronic media. They also will promote prevention of workplace injuries and illnesses through association and member company participation in conferences and meetings, and cross-training of OSHA and steel industry safety professionals.

“We are pleased to join OSHA in a commitment to expand the cooperative approach to improve workplace health and safety,” said AISI Chairman David Sutherland, who also is president and CEO of steel producer IPSCO. “OSHA working with steel producers to eliminate factors that contribute to accidents can serve only to benefit both employees and their employers,” he added.

AISI reports that for each of the past 10 years, U.S. steel producers have experienced fewer injuries than the manufacturing average and have achieved significant reduction in each major statistical measure over the same time period. Based in Washington, D.C., the AISI is a non-profit association of North American companies representing more than 30 integrated and electric furnace carbon steel producing members.