June 23, 2023 (Washington, D.C.) – The Association of Equipment Manufacturers led several industry partners in forming an alliance with the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the nation’s top worker health and safety standards and enforcement agency. On June 22, AEM joined the Associated General Contractors (AGC), the Common Ground Alliance (CGA), the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA), the North American Excavation Shoring Association (NAXSA), and the Laborers’ International Union of North American (LIUNA) at a signing ceremony that took place at the U.S. Department of Labor’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. with Amanda Edens, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health.

For more than five years, AEM has worked to establish a collaborative relationship with OSHA to foster safety and health practices and programs 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.

“AEM is 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.

"Sadly in 2022, we saw a dramatic and disturbing increase in the number of workers who died in trench collapses," said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. "We know that awareness and vigilance saves lives. Joining with the Partners for Safe Trenching and Excavation Operations Alliance is an important collaboration to help ensure that industry employers are taking the precautions required to keep every worker who enters or works near a trench safe."

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.

“Sharing knowledge is at the core of this alliance,” said Keith Johnson, AEM Regulatory Affairs Working Group Vice Chair and President of Kondex Corporation. “Not only is this valuable to our member companies and the broader industry, but this alliance will also benefit folks across the country. AEM’s Safety and Product Leadership committees have a wealth of information to offer, and we are honored to do our part in making a safer workplace and jobsite.”

Members of the Partners for Safe Trenching and Excavation Operations Alliance participate in an alliance signing ceremony with Deputy Assistant Secretary Amanda Edens (center) on June 22, 2023. Photo credit: the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration.