Workplace Safety Press Releases

OSHA Forms Alliance with National Association for Surface Finishing—05/24/07

Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke Jr. and William D. Wiggins, chairman, government advisory committee, National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF), have signed an alliance to provide NASF’s members and others, such as small businesses and non-English speaking employees, with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees’ health and safety in the metal surface finishing industry.

"This agreement will provide NASF members and others in the metal surface finishing industry with information, guidance and access to training resources to protect employees from occupational hazards," said Foulke. "The alliance will particularly focus on reducing and preventing exposure to chemical hazards, including hexavalent chromium."

"We look forward to working closely with OSHA on some of the most important goals for surface finishing companies in the United States – pursuing continuous improvement toward a more healthy and productive workplace for our employees, and increasing awareness among non-native English speaking employees on how to maximize the use of good practices out on the job shop floor," said Ray Lucas, president of the NASF. "Through the alliance, we will take the industry’s commitment to health and safety to the next level."

Founded in 2007, NASF is an amalgamation of three long-standing surface finishing trade associations, formally known as the American Electroplaters and Surface Finishers Society, the Metal Finishing Suppliers Association and National Association of Metal Finishers. NASF has 900 member companies that include job-shop metal finishers, chemical and equipment suppliers, manufacturers, surface coaters, and more than 2,000 individual academic, scientific, and technical professionals.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure the safety and health of America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health.