Ford Motor Company and Automotive Components Holdings, LLC (ACH) have renewed a partnership with the United Auto Workers (UAW) and the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), to continue efforts of emphasizing the importance of health and safety conditions in its manufacturing facilities.
The agreement, which began in 2000 among Ford, the UAW and OSHA, includes all Ford Motor company manufacturing facilities in the U.S., including the company’s ACH location. It aims to continuously reduce work-related injuries and illnesses at the company’s manufacturing locations by optimizing the resources of the three partners in the development and administration of plant health and safety standards.
"Pulling together the leadership and resources of Ford, ACH, the UAW and OSHA creates a powerful team as we work together to improve our already-high standards of health and safety in our plants," said Joe Hinrichs, Ford Motor Company vice president, North America Manufacturing. "Ford is proud of its record of significantly reducing serious on-the-job injuries in recent years and we know that safety always must be top-of-mind. That's why we welcome the opportunity this agreement provides."
The partnership among Ford, ACH, the UAW and OSHA is founded on mutual respect, trust, cooperation, accountability, understanding and employee involvement in all plant health and safety issues.
"Through this agreement, we will be working to create a safe and productive work environment for UAW members at Ford and ACH," said UAW Vice President Bob King, who directs the union's National Ford Department. "Workplace safety is always a huge priority for our union. It's important that our members know that we're working together with Ford and with OSHA and that everyone in the organization is empowered to focus on safe work practices.
They will work together to track plant health and safety incidents, submit an annual safety report to OSHA and hold an annual plant review with OSHA representatives. OSHA will conduct a walk-through of various facilities during the review and have the ability to return to a facility if it wants further data or reviews of specific health and safety issues.
"We are confident that today's renewal will accelerate the partners' efforts to continue improving safety and health in the automobile industry," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. "In renewing the agreement, the UAW, Ford and ACH recognize the importance of safety and health at auto manufacturing facilities. The results of this partnership have helped prevent injuries and illnesses for Ford and ACH employees around the country."
The newly signed agreement will expire on November 14, 2009. The partnership will end with respect to the ACH facilities upon the sale or closure of the facilities themselves.
For more information, please visit http://www.fordvehicles.com
SOURCE Ford Motor Company
Nicole Camiola
New Equipment Digest
Online Content Editor