WASHINGTON – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has signed an alliance with the National Association of Women in Construction to develop training resources to protect women in the construction industry. The alliance will focus on musculoskeletal and sanitation hazards and issues related to poorly-fitting personal protective equipment. Today OSHA announced a new Web page that addresses these issues.

“Safety and health problems in construction create barriers to women entering and remaining in this field,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. “Through this alliance, we will work together to forge innovative solutions to improve the safety, health and working conditions for women in the construction trades and retain them during a critical time of job shortages in this industry.”

During the two-year agreement, the alliance intends to develop training programs, fact sheets and other outreach resources on musculoskeletal hazards, sanitation and PPE selection. The alliance will focus on these and other safety and health issues specific to female construction workers.

Based on a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health, OSHA also unveiled its new Women in Construction Web page, a site that outlines and addresses safety and health issues specific to female construction workers, including PPE, sanitary facilities and other resources.

For more information on the alliance, visit the OSHA-NAWIC Web page. The agreement will remain in effect for two years. Visit OSHA’s Women in Construction Web page for more information about safety and health issues facing women in construction.

NAWIC, founded in 1955 as a support network for women working in the construction industry, has more than 150 chapters and represents 4,500 members nationwide. As of 2010, there were about 800,000 women working in the construction industry, roughly nine percent of the industry workforce.

Through its Alliance Program, OSHA works with unions, consulates, trade and professional organizations, faith- and community-based organizations, businesses and educational institutions to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses. The purpose of each alliance is to develop compliance assistance tools and resources and to educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities. Alliance Program participants do not receive exemptions from OSHA inspections or any other enforcement benefits. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/alliances/index.html.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

This year, the Lima Ohio Area NAWIC Chapter 374 is partnering with the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio to host its 7th Annual Block Kids Building Competition. This year's event will be held at 9:00AM at Lima Girl Scouts camp on Robb Avenue in Lima. The purpose of this program is to introduce children to the construction industry, create awareness, and promote interest in future careers in one of the many facets of the industry. The competition requires participants to independently design and create a structure or construction-related piece with interlocking Lego® blocks and three of the following optional materials: A rock, a 12” piece of string, an 18”  square foil, or an 18” x 18” piece of poster board. The competition will be open to 40 area Girl Scouts. The overall winner may compete for the regional and national competitions. Fun events such as this encourage the interest of future generation construction workers! 

So that's a little bit about the actual event - now for the request..... We need some judges! Each of the 40 students participating in the competition will need judged twice, so we have a lot of judging to do and we are asking members of the community to help us out! It's easy, fun, will only take about 90 minutes of your time, and will be a very rewarding experience! If interested, please call Wendy Baxter at 419-236-8729. Thank you!

The success of the chapter is determined by:

1. Member involvement and participation
2. Educating the community about NAWIC
3. Promoting work force development (programs engaging children/adults in Construction Industry career path opportunities)
4. Programs, topics, speakers, seminars, community involvement projects must be of interest to the members
5. Members need to have a voice in determining their areas of interest to get the members engaged

        o Annually discuss topics, programs, community involvement, short-term & long-term goals of the chapter, etc.
        o Do an on-line survey
        o Have a suggestion box at the membership meetings

The purpose of "Construction Profession Education" is to provide construction related programs to members and guests in order to educate them about different areas of the construction industry, to promote professional and personal growth, and educate the community about NAWIC and the construction industry.
CPE is the “meat and potatoes” for promoting the value of NAWIC membership. Through professional, educational, and business opportunities, NAWIC “enhances the success of women in the construction industry” by fulfilling our core purpose.

CPE is a “Standing Committee" and is established as follows:

• Chair – appointed by the Chapter President (or filled by a volunteer)
• Committee members – small group of volunteers to aid the chair in fulfilling the purpose of the committee

            o Review Ideas for programs/projects
            o Contact speakers and obtain commitments
            o Follow-up and confirm engagements/projects
            o Evaluate success of program or event
            o Communicate outcome to regional chair