AEM and OSHA form ‘safety alliance’

Members of the Partners for Safe Trenching and Excavation Operations Alliance participate in an alliance signing ceremony with deputy assistant secretary Amanda Edens (centre). Photo: US Occupational Health and Safety Administration

The AEM joined the Associated General Contractors, Common Ground Alliance, International Union of Operating Engineers, National Utility Contractors Association, North American Excavation Shoring Association, and the Laborers’ International Union of North America for a signing ceremony at the US Department of Labor’s headquarters in Washington, DC alongside Amanda Edens, deputy assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health.

For more than five years, the AEM has worked to establish a collaborative relationship with OSHA to foster safety and health practices and programmes to improve American workplaces and jobsites. This agreement between OSHA and the Partners for Safe Trenching and Excavation Operations Alliance will help address and highlight best practices for hazardous construction work.

“We are proud to work with our industry partners in forming this important alliance for hardworking men and women across the United States,” said Nick Tindall, AEM senior director of regulatory affairs.

“Safety is paramount for the equipment manufacturing industry, our partners, and the hardworking men and women we represent and advocate for every day. This alliance is the culmination of years of hard work that have focused on improving safety and it is guaranteed to improve standards and operations across the industry.”

Trenching, excavation, and shoring safety will be the primary focus for the alliance’s participating organizations. In addition, AEM will also be conducting activities to support above ground worker safety efforts.

Alliance activities will include OSHA educational visits at AEM trade shows, providing speakers for OSHA forums and industry events, as well as a 2024 Above Ground Worker Safety Demonstration Day in the Milwaukee/Chicago area. 

The AEM is the North America-based international trade group representing off-road equipment manufacturers and suppliers with more than 1,000 companies and more than 200 product lines in the agriculture and construction-related industry sectors worldwide.

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