THE VOICE OF THE MERIT SHOP

On July 16, Kevin Sell, senior manager of corporate development at Kwest Group in Perrysburg, Ohio, testified on behalf of ABC before the U.S. House Committee on Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections in their hearing, “Safe Workplaces, Stronger Partnerships: The Future of OSHA Compliance Assistance.” His testimony focused on role that programs like ABC’s STEP Health and Safety Management System play in creating meaningful pathways between the construction industry and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

“The area offices of OSHA have provided employees and employers with valuable expertise and support through Compliance Assistance Specialists and their Challenge Program, which serves as a pathway to the Voluntary Protection Program,” said Sell. “By fostering a relationship—or better yet, a partnership—with the area office, employers gain nonenforcement support, allowing them to work collaboratively with OSHA to improve workplace safety and reduce risk for their teams. This is especially important in construction, as many of us have a mobile workforce that presents a unique set of challenges far different and more complex than most general industry sites.” Watch the hearing and read Sell’s full testimony.

Sell began his career as a firefighter and shift commander, eventually finding his way to the construction industry where he worked in safety and quality, workforce development and relationship management roles. He also held leadership roles on both the Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Funding Commission and the Kentucky Occupational Safety & Health Review Commission.

For more information, read ABC’s press release.