Des Plaines, Ill.—IWLA–The Assn. for Logistics Outsourcing and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently signed an agreement to foster safer and more healthful warehouse workspaces.

"As the leading national trade association representing third-party warehouse and logistics providers, IWLA has always made safety a priority," said Joel R. Hoiland, IWLA president and CEO. "In fact, a good part of our education budget each year is dedicated to helping members identify and reduce risk in their workplaces. That's why it is a natural fit for us to enter into this alliance with OSHA, which is dedicated to protecting the American worker on the job. By pooling our resources, we can make great strides toward improving worker safety…"

Under the two-year agreement, IWLA and OSHA will work together to educate warehouse employees about how to operate more safely through education programs and voluntary inspection protocols; reach out to workers and employers through various media to encourage participation in voluntary cooperative programs and various speaking engagements; and facilitate a national dialogue about the importance of workplace safety and health through convening forums and roundtable discussions.

A team of representatives from both organizations will meet to develop a plan of action, determine working procedures, and identify roles and responsibilities in carrying them out. They also will meet quarterly to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance.