Last month the U.S Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) renewed an alliance with the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), extending the pact (originally signed in August 2013) for another five years and reaffirming the agency’s commitment to the health and safety of women construction workers.

“Women represent a small, but growing segment of the construction workforce,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Loren Sweatt. “OSHA’s renewed alliance with NAWIC will continue to promote innovative solutions to safety and health hazards unique to female construction workers.”

The alliance will focus on hazards specific to women construction workers, including personal protective equipment, worksite sanitation and the issue of workplace intimidation and violence.  

According to the alliance renewal agreement, OSHA and NAWIC will work to share information about OSHA’s rulemaking and enforcement initiatives, including national programs, opportunities to participate in the rulemaking process, safety and health laws, and the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers.

To this end, OSHA and NAWIC will spread their message through print and digital media, the organizations’ websites, exhibitions and appearances at conferences and other events. The groups will also encourage NAWIC chapters to build relationships with federal OSHA Regional and Area Offices. 

The agreement is part of OSHA’s Alliance Program, which cultivates relationships between OSHA and other organizations to provide targeted audiences better workplace safety and health information and tools. Alliance participants share information about recognizing and preventing workplace hazards with employers and workers.