Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health

Training and Outreach Construction Workgroup Report
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Washington D.C.

Co-Chairs

Bill Hering^†

SM Electric

Kevin Cannon^†

AGC of America

Gerry Ryan^†

OPCMIA

Attendees

^†ACCSH Members

Gerry Ryan, Co-Chair, called the meeting to order at 1:00PM.

Following introductions, Gerry Ryan provided a brief overview of the agenda for the meeting.

Jim Maddux, director of the Directorate of Construction, addressed the workgroup stating that this workgroup once existed and now has been reestablished.

OSHA Training Activities

Hank Payne and Jim Barnes with the Directorate of Training and Education delivered a presentation highlighting OSHA training activities. The presentation provided an update on the Susan Harwood training grants, OSHA Education Centers, Outreach Training Program, and training evaluations.

The presentation began with information on the announcement issued on April 4, 2012 soliciting grant applications. The deadline for submission has been set for May 17, 2012 at 4:30 PM(EST). The targeted topics for the construction industry include crane safety and fall protection. Total funding for the FY 2012 is $10.7 million dollars with approximately $1.2 million dollars allocated for targeted topics grants and training and educational development grants. Both types of grants are for one year, and support the development of quality training materials and programs addressing workplace hazards and prevention strategies for employees and employers. OSHA has designated the following topics: fall protection, grain handling operations, crane safety, workplace violence, hazard communication for chemical exposure, injury and illness prevention programs, hearing conservation, electrical safety, agriculture safety and health, ergonomics hazards, heat exposure, oil and gas well operations, and shipyard safety hazards. Mr. Payne highlighted that the current funding level is significantly lower than previous years. Jim Barnes informed the workgroup that a website housing grantee created materials has been developed per an ACCSH previous recommendation and the agency continuing to populate the website with materials. The website is organized by topic, grantee and language. He noted that there are currently 130 grant material packages available from 84 grants.

OSHA is currently seeking applications from new organizations interested in becoming an OTI Education Center. Existing Education Centers must also apply. Applications will be accepted from non-profit organizations with proficiency in delivering safety and health training. The submission deadline is Friday, June 15, 2012.

He informed the workgroup that the OTI Education Centers website has been updated and now allows visitors to search for details regarding courses scheduled through education centers. He highlighted the growth in the numbers trained which has increased from 12,087 in FY 2001 to 38,217 in FY 2011. He noted that approximately ²⁄₃ was the OSHA 500 series courses.

Mr. Barnes discussed the development of a new maritime industry course and the requirements. The course: OSHA #5410 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Maritime Industry was piloted in March and the national rollout is ongoing. Beginning October 1, 2012 the course will be a required prerequisite to become an authorized OSHA Maritime Industry Trainer. The group discussed the possible inclusion of the wind energy industry into the training program. It was reported that the program did not and the issue is very complex since it involved multiple industries. Another new training program targeting the oil and gas industry is currently under development. OSHA's goal is to conduct a pilot course in the fourth quarter.

The recent program changes to the OSHA 10 and 30 hour Outreach Training Programs were then discussed. The workgroup discussed the two hour requirement for the lntro to OSHA section and that the time requirement has been reported by trainers as too long. Most believe that the time could be better utilized training employees on the recognition of hazards. However, others reported that the information required two hours or longer. Mr. Payne and Mr. Barnes indicated that he would be open to recommendations from the workgroup regarding this section. An update was also provided on the current status of online outreach training programs. In January 2012 OSHA identified ten selected providers authorized to deliver the outreach training programs. Currently, there are three to four of the ten with final approval. Mr. Barnes reported that any future revisions to the outreach program will be limited to updating the PowerPoint presentations with current photos, graphics, etc.

Mr. Payne discussed DTE's focus on training evaluations and their importance to the Susan Harwood training grant programs. He stated that the evaluations demonstrates the positive impacts the various grant training programs have had on workers and employers which assist in justifying the existence and funding of the grant program.

Falls Campaign

Mr. Maddux and Matt Gillen provided a brief update on the recently launched falls campaign. The campaign focuses on preventing falls from roofs, ladders and scaffolds. Three websites have been developed by NIOSH, OSHA, and CPWR to promote and provide information on the campaign as well access to other resource materials. The campaign will provide updated materials throughout the summer.

Motion

Pete Stafford moved that the Training and Outreach Workgroup recommends that ACCSH review the two hour Introduction to OSHA component of the OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour courses. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

The meeting adjourned at 2:45 PM.