FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 16, 2005
	CONTACT: Jackie Hirschhaut (336) 884-5000 X116

AHFA Announces Safety Management Program

High Point, NC – The American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) announces plans to create a certified safety management system that will enhance the welfare of furniture manufacturers’ employees, decrease incidents and injuries in the manufacturing workplace, and promote credibility with health and safety regulators.

AHFA is developing its “Integrated Safety Performance” program in partnership with Advantec Risk Management Consulting, a division of Advantec, a Tampa, Fla.-based provider of risk management solutions.

The system will include a series of assessments to help manufacturers identify areas for improvement in the way safety is managed and valued. Proactive programs will help companies bridge safety leadership, management and compliance gaps. Once all aspects of the system have been implemented successfully for one year, companies will be able to apply for certification.

The benefit to participating companies is a proactive safety management system that achieves sustainable safety results by engaging the organization’s management team in safety leadership.

“We’re excited about our partnership with Advantec,” says Bill Perdue, AHFA’s vice president of environmental affairs, health, safety and standards. “Integrating safety and health into the daily management of the business creates a solid safety management foundation that doesn’t change with the latest fads.”

The Integrated Safety Performance system will be released at AHFA’s National Health and Safety Conference in September 2006. As with AHFA’s EFEC environmental management program, guidance documents for participating in the safety management program will be available at www.ahfa.us.