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THE RENEWAL AGREEMENT - On March 24, 2005 the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) renewed its alliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to continue building on successes to help reduce workplace injuries and illnesses in the apparel and footwear industry, with a particular focus on ergonomics. The Alliance was initially created in February 2003.
Encouraging safe and healthful working conditions for the apparel and footwear industries is the ongoing goal of the Alliance.Over the past two years, the OSHA and AAFA Alliance implementation team has developed an ergonomics manual for the apparel and footwear industry, Ergonomics for Supervisors: Volume 1, An Industry Manual for the Apparel and Footwear Industries and is working to develop a training program on the manual throughout the country.OSHA and AAFA have scheduled six ergonomics training seminars to educate AAFA members and others in the industry about ergonomic issues. In addition, AAFA members serve as editorial board members of OSHA’s Apparel and Footwear Safety and Health Topics page, and have spoken and exhibited about the Alliance at industry conferences and meetings.
OSHA and AAFA will continue to develop and disseminate information through various print and electronic media. Outreach and communication goals will also be met through speeches, exhibits or appearances at conferences or other events, as well as sharing AAFA best practices information with others in the industry.Cross-training OSHA personnel and industry safety and health practitioners in AAFA ergonomics programs rounds out the goals of the Alliance.
THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT - On February 14, 2003, the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) signed an Alliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to help reduce workplace injuries and illnesses in the industry, with a particular focus on ergonomics.
The Alliance, signed by AAFA President Kevin M. Burke and OSHA Administrator John Henshaw in a small ceremony at the Department of Labor, is a pledge by the two organizations to work together to develop and disseminate information to AAFA’s membership regarding the benefits of good ergonomics practices.
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AAFA-OSHA Ergonomics Manual Volume 1: On March 9, 2005, the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) released an ergonomics training manual geared towards health and safety supervisors in the apparel and footwear. Click HERE to order volume 1.
AAFA – OSHA Alliance Volume 2: A Guide to Implementing an Ergonomics Process", identifies which companies need an ergonomic process, explore how to develop and implement an ergonomic process, present several actual ergonomic case studies, and provides a toolbox for manufacturing, warehouse and office. The Manual will be geared for anyone dealing with health & safety in the industry, such as Plant Managers, Supervisors, Safety Coordinators, Industrial Engineers, Plant Engineers, Warehouse Managers and Corporate Safety Staff. Click HERE to order Volume 2.
February 14, 2005 marked the two year anniversary of the AAFA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Alliance, which was established to promote safe and healthful working conditions for the apparel and footwear industries by providing AAFA members with information and guidance that will help them protect the health and safety of employees, particularly in reducing exposure to ergonomic hazards.
As a result of AAFA and OSHA’s pledge to work together through the Alliance to collect and disseminate information to AAFA’s membership regarding the benefits of good ergonomics practices, a voluntary ergonomics manual entitled, Ergonomics for Supervisors, Volume I – An Introductory Manual for the Apparel and Footwear Industries, was developed by health and safety experts.
This publication is designed to direct supervisors and employees through the process of establishing and sustaining an effective ergonomics program. The manual provides practical suggestions for supervisors to help reduce the number and severity of injuries by identifying, evaluating, and controlling hazards using proven methods from the apparel and footwear industries.
* If you, or anyone in your company, is interested in participating in AAFA's "Ergonomics Working Group," please contact Steve Lamar at 703.797.9041.
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