FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2004

OSHA Staff Directed to Work with SGIA & Graphic Arts Coalition on National Ergonomics Training Program

FAIRFAX, VA —Renewing their alliance with the US Occupational Safety & Health Administration, the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association and three other printing industry associations reinforced their commitment to ergonomic health.

Through the program, SGIA and the Graphics Art Coalition — comprising SGIA, the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation/Printing Industries of America, the Flexographic Technical Association, and the Gravure Association of America —created “a tool that capitalizes on limited resources to reach a maximum number of workers,” said Marci Kinter, SGIA Vice President, Government Affairs.

SGIA’s industry-specific, cost-effective training program educates individuals on the importance of good ergonomic health and habits by teaching staff and coworkers simple ergonomic solutions that can reduce or eliminate illness and injury in the workplace.

Impressed by this train-the-trainer approach, US Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety & Health John L. Henshaw has directed OSHA staff to work with the GAC partners in an effort to roll out the ergonomics training program nationally.

"SGIA, our partners, and OSHA all share a common goal of reducing injury and illness rates in the workplace,” said SGIA President/CEO Michael Robertson. “As an example of training that works, we are eager to share this effective program with other industries."

Robertson added: "Extremely favorable attention for the program has come from OSHA. Assistant Secretary Henshaw indicated OSHA understood that companies implementing our ergonomic program would be making a good faith effort to reduce injuries and illness in the workplace."

The renewed alliance strengthens the working relationship between SGIA and OSHA.

SGIA- Specialty Graphic Imaging Association
10015 Main Street
Fairfax, VA 22031-3489
Phone: 703-385-1335
Fax: 703-273-0456
E-Mail: sgia@sgia.org
Website URL: www.sgia.org