State Labor, Transportation Departments Sign Partnership Work Safety Agreement
Nov. 26, 2004
No. 05-35
JUNEAU – State labor and transportation officials have formalized a joint-agency plan to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses.
The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities have agreed to establish a comprehensive inspection program that will improve workplace safety and health at transportation department worksites throughout the state.
Inspection services and health and hazard prevention programs will be provided by the labor department’s Alaska Occupational Safety and Health (AKOSH) office.
The agreement was signed by Transportation Commissioner Mike Barton and Labor Standards and Safety Director Grey Mitchell, representing Labor Commissioner Greg O’Claray, who was on travel status.
In a prepared statement, O’Claray commented, “This partnership provides another bright future for working Alaskans. I applaud Commissioner Barton and his staff for their leadership in investing in this cutting edge program.
“Working together, our departments are supporting Governor Frank Murkowski’s commitment to put Alaskans to work in good jobs while we implement state-of-the-art worksite health and safety standards.”
“It is encouraging to see our agencies working in tandem to improve the health and well-being of transportation department employees as well as the entirety of Alaska’s workforce,” Barton said. “I am pleased to support our governor’s initiative to protect working Alaskans.”
Mitchell said the joint-agency partnership is the fourth AKOSH partnership agreement implemented in the Murkowski administration. Others include the Alaska Forest Products Association, Associated General Contractors of Alaska and additional contractors in the state, and the Municipality of Anchorage.
“These partnership agreements are the wave of the future in AKOSH,” Mitchell said. “Partnership agreements focus on ways to work together to leverage resources. Our mutual goal is to improve workplace safety and health and our professionals are there to provide guidance.”
Mitchell encouraged organizations interested in AKOSH partnership agreements to contact Consultation and Training Chief Cliff Hustead at 1.800.656.4972.
Alaska Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Barton and Alaska Department of Labor
& Workforce Development - Labor Standards and Safety Director Grey Mitchell, sign the partnership.
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News Media Contacts:
Director Grey Mitchell, DOLWD Labor Standards & Safety Division, 907.465-6006 or
Joe Holbert, Special Assistant/Communications, 907-465-5673
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