Office of Advocacy
    U.S. Small Business Administration

    NEWSRELEASE

    For Release: November 22, 2002
    Contact:     John McDowell (202) 205-6941
    john.mcdowell@sba.gov
    SBA Number:     02-44 ADVO

    Advocacy, OSHA, And SBA Ombudsman Sign Agreement To Help
    Small Business Business Plan

    Offices To Work Together To Provide Ergonomics Information

     WASHINGTON, D.C. – Small business will now find it easier to learn of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) new ergonomic guidelines. The Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and OSHA will work together to inform small businesses of these new guidelines.

    Earlier this year OSHA announced a comprehensive approach to ergonomics designed to reduce ergonomic injuries through a combination of guidelines, enforcement, outreach, assistance, and research. As part of the outreach and assistance efforts, Advocacy, OSHA, and the SBA’s National Ombudsman have formed a partnership outlined in an agreement signed today.

    “We’re pleased to be partners with OSHA and the SBA’s Ombudsman in their efforts to reach small business as OSHA develops new industry specific ergonomic guidelines,” said Thomas M. Sullivan, Chief Counsel for Advocacy. “With the new guidelines and this agreement, OSHA can take a big step in listening to the concerns of small business. The old adversarial model will be replaced with outreach and education. This new step towards cooperation is great news for small business owners and their employees alike," he said.

    The agreement formalizes Advocacy’s role in helping to inform small business owners of the new guidelines. The agreement also makes clear OSHA and the Ombudsman’s role in listening and responding to the concerns of small business owners.

    "OSHA welcomes the opportunity to work closely with the SBA to help millions of small businesses across the country reduce ergonomic hazards in their workplaces," said OSHA Administrator John Henshaw. "This partnership enables us to better educate the small business community about the assistance that is available to them and learn from their input and feedback on our efforts."

    National Ombudsman Michael Barrera and his office work closely with OSHA on enforcement of workplace safety regulations. "The goal of our office is to shift the regulatory enforcement environment upon small businesses from a 'gotcha' mentality to a 'help you' attitude. This agreement does that by focusing on education over enforcement and compliance over confrontation," said Barrera.
     

    For more information and the complete compliance guide, visit the Office of Advocacy website at http://www.sba.gov/advo.

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    Created by Congress in 1976, the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent voice for small business within the federal government. Appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, the Chief Counsel for Advocacy directs the office. The Chief Counsel advances the views, concerns, and interests of small business before Congress, the White House, federal agencies, federal courts, and state policy makers. Economic research, policy analyses, and small business outreach help identify issues of concern. Regional Advocates and an office in Washington, DC support the Chief Counsel’s efforts. For more information on the Office of Advocacy, visit http://www.sba.gov/advo , or call (202) 205-6533.