2008, Feb. 22: The Puerto Rico Shipping Association (PRSA) has signed a Safety Alliance Agreement with the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).

A signing ceremony, to mark the start of the relationship, was held this week (February 20), in Condado, Puerto Rico

PHOTO: Standing (l   - r) are Herbert Rios, Secretary PRSA; Jose F. Nazario, Jr.,

Vice President PRSA; Janet Nieves, President Safety and Security Committee, PRSA;

Fernando Rivera, President CSA. Signing the alliance (l - r) are: José Carpena,

OSHA Puerto Rico; Hernán F. Ayala Rubio, President PRSA

and Louis Ricca, Jr. OSHA Region II Caribbean .

The main aim of this alliance is to provide information, guidance and access to training resources that will help members of the Puerto Rico Shipping Association to protect employee’s health and Safety to reduce and prevent personal accidents and exposure hazards common to the maritime industry.

Caribbean Shipping Association President, Fernando Rivera, addressed the gathering. He said the alliance will not only benefit the workers in Puerto Rico but will enable CSA members throughout the Caribbean to benefit from the training and quidance that this alliance will provide.

By doing this, he said, “… we will accomplish our goals to have more safer and secure ports in the Region.”

Fernando Rivera

This Alliance demonstrates the commitment of all its members to work cooperatively with the Occupational Safety Health Administration to improve Safety and Health in the Maritime Industry, said Hernan F. Ayala-Rubio, President of the PRSA..

The agreement covers the 36 member companies of the PRSA.

Under terms of the Alliance OSHA and the PRSA will work together to:

• develop a safety and health curriculum on Supervisory Accident Prevention Program, in Spanish, for the maritime industry;

• deliver or arrange for the delivery of the new OSHA 10 hours course in the Maritime Industry;

• establish the safety syllabus for the Maritime Industry Crane operators, course which will become a core training requirement to certify all crane operators in Puerto Rico Maritime Industry. The course will be given at the newly created crane Operator School of the Caribbean.

OSHA and PRSA will also work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:

* Prevention of workplace hazards such as struck by, caught by/in-between and fall hazards common to the maritime industry; and, provide expertise in developing ways of communicating such information (e.g. print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools and OSHA’s and the PRSA’s websites to employers and employees in the industry.

* Conduct the first Maritime Industry Safety Awareness Week to create and maintain the safety awareness.

* Promote and encourage PRSA members’ participation in OSHA’s cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Program, Consultation, and the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.

* Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects on maritime safety that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.

* Encourage members of the PRSA to build relationships with OSHA’s Regional and Area Offices to address health and safety issues in the maritime industry.

The alliance was signed by Hernan F. Ayala-Rubio, President Puerto Rico Shipping Association, Louis Ricca, Jr., Acting Regional Administrator, OSHA, Region II and Jose Carpena, PR OSHA Area Director.