GAO report highlights effectiveness of OSHA's voluntary, cooperative programs.

A year-long study by the Government Accounting Office (GAO) on OSHA's voluntary compliance programs wrapped up in March with the GAO saying the strategies "have improved employers' safety and health practices" and noted that many participants interviewed said the programs resulted in not only helping to reduce injury and illness rates but also have fostered "better working relationships with OSHA." U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood (R-Ga.), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, said the report "shows that OSHA's voluntary compliance programs have so far proven successful in improving safety at workplaces across the country."

OSHA signed an alliance in March with AFS highlighting safety and health for workers in the metalcasting industry. OSHA and AFS agreed to provide AFS' members and others, including small businesses in the metalcasting industry, with information, guidance and access to training resources that focus on reducing and preventing silica exposure, as well as addressing other workplace issues, particularly personal protective equipment and ventilation.