The rate of injury and illnesses at the National Park Service's 375 parks far exceeds the average in the federal government, so the agency is asking the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to give some tips.

• Some 20,000 NPS employees are injured on the job each year.

• While workers are exposed to some unique hazards -- such as snake bites, avalanches, white water rapids, grizzly bears, hypothermia and Lyme disease -- unsafe work practices account for 90 percent of the accidents.

• Experts say that more Park Service workers are injured when they don't wear their hard hats or hearing protectors than in dramatic search-and-rescue missions where employees are well trained for a specific operation.

• Workers reportedly cut corners routinely and supervisors don't correct them.

OSHA will work with NPS on the safety records of 10 parks. Employees will participate in creating a risk management program and parks agree to comply with OSHA standards and correct unsafe work practices. Outside consultants will help develop safety programs and managers will get training in safety and health.

The improvements at the 10 parks will be used as a model for other locations.

OSHA has a more difficult time dealing with safety problems at government facilities than it does dealing with private employers because it does not have the authority to fine agencies. In one case however, an exception is made.

Congress has given OSHA the authority to assess penalties and collect fines in its oversight of workplace safety at the U.S. Postal Service.

Source: Cindy Skrzycki, "Park Service Summons OSHA to Fix Boo- Boos," Washington Post, November 6, 1998.

For more on National Parks http://www.ncpa.org/pd/budget/budget-7.html