"OSHA's technical and training expertise has been invaluable to the success of the park's safety program," Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Suzanne Lewis said. She noted that the park has worked closely with OSHA to abate all identified safety hazards, educate its employees on safety concerns and issues, develop and implement a job safety analysis program, and implement a park-wide internal safety audit and accountability system.

Since 1998, the park has committed more than $500,000 towards the safety program. That effort is showing dividends-during the five years the agreement has been in place, there have been no work-related fatalities, and the park's lost time injury rate has decreased by 40 percent (from 5.5 percent to 3.3 percent; the national average is 3.1 percent). One of the most telling benefits of the agreement came during a recent review of the partnership in which OSHA identified only nine serious hazards-compared to 92 serious hazards identified in a similar 1997 review. More telling is that park employees interviewed during the review stated that safety and health conditions in the park have improved.

"Along with OSHA's contribution, I want to recognize the contribution of Yellowstone's employees," Superintendent Lewis noted. "Their positive attitude and commitment to incorporate safe work practices into their daily routines is reflected in the success of the program. We all remain steadfast in our goal to provide a safer and healthier environment for employees and the park visitor."

Information provided by the NPS

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