Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet
Kentucky Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Kentucky OSH program sign safety agreement

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 14, 2007) - The Kentucky Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Program (KY-OSH) today signed a "Safety In Practice" partnership agreement with the Kentucky Ready Mixed Concrete Association (KRMCA). The partnership, which aims to increase workplace safety in the ready mixed concrete industry, is the first of its kind in general industry in Kentucky.

In 2003, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration signed a nationwide partnership agreement that mutually recognized the importance of providing a safe and healthful work environment for the ready mixed concrete industry. Building upon this partnership, the KRMCA and KY-OSH found it desirable to create a state partnership.

The agreement is aimed at preventing injuries and illnesses within the industry. Implementation of the agreement is expected to improve existing safety and health programs, resulting in fewer compliance problem areas and penalties. The agreement also provides incentives to ready mixed concrete companies that voluntarily participate and demonstrate improvement in their safety and health programs.

"One of the priorities of Governor Ernie Fletcher’s administration has been to have safer, healthier workplaces," said Phillip J. Anderson, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Labor. "That means preventing accidents and illnesses in the first place. That’s why safety partnerships such as this are so valuable."

KY-OSH will provide training concentrated on the industry’s most common hazards. Safety representatives from the companies will undergo the training and pass it on to other workers at each facility.

The Safety in Practice partnership is the first in Kentucky to have three performance levels. Incentives are tailored to provide increasing motivation with each level of improved performance. A company that reaches the top level is removed from KY-OSH’s general inspection schedule.

"KRMCA members are proud to be the first participant within the state of Kentucky to enter into a general industry partnership agreement with Kentucky OSH," said R. Finley Messick, executive director of the association. "Our industry is stepping to the plate and showing we are serious about safety in the workplace."

The KRMCA has 63 producer members. It is expected that ready mixed concrete companies that participate in the partnership program will reduce reportable injuries and serious violations in their respective workplaces. These reductions should result in a safer and more productive work environment, increased employee awareness of safety importance, decreased operating expenses, decreased company accident and incident rates and significant KY-OSH incentives.

The Department of Labor is an agency of the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet.