OSHA, Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Trust Renew Alliance

Participants: U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Trust, Alsip, Illinois

Background: OSHA and the Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Trust in Alsip have signed a two-year renewal of their alliance to provide information, guidance and access to training resources to electrical employers and workers. Through the trust, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union No. 134 and the Electrical Contractors’ Association of the City of Chicago sponsor an apprenticeship program for prospective electricians in Cook County. The five-year program combines on-the-job training by union electrical contractors with 53 college credit hours in related classroom training. It is a registered program with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.

First signed on May 16, 2012, the alliance continues the joint effort to:

• Develop effective training programs for local industry
• Provide safety seminars and talks
• Encourage worker participation in employer safety and health programs
• Share information on occupational safety and health laws

Together, the agency will work with the organization to promote a culture of worker safety and health within the construction industries, including small businesses and apprenticeship training programs, through development and sharing of information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, such as arc blast and arc flash, and other hazards associated with the installation and maintenance of electrical systems.

OSHA and EJATT will also work together to promote awareness of the agency’s rulemakings, enforcement initiatives and safety campaigns, including an understanding of workers’ rights and employer responsibilities. The partners will also speak, exhibit and appear at OSHA or EJATT conferences and apprenticeship training programs.