ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT
PITTSBURGH AREA OFFICE
PITTSBURGH REGIONAL BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES
COUNCIL
May 24, 2013

1. Alliance Background

   Date Signed:

   5-17-04

   Date Renewed:

   Last Renewal 5-25-12

   Alliance Overview:

   The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Pittsburgh Area Office and The Pittsburgh Building and Construction Trades Council aligned to provide Council members, including youth apprentice workers, with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help protect employees’ health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to the various hazards associated with the construction industry.

   Implementation Team Members

   • Richard Stanizzo - Business Rep., Pittsburgh Building and Construction Trades Council
   • Robert Szymanski - Area Director, OSHA Pittsburgh Area Office
   • Robert Carroll - Compliance Assistance Specialist, OSHA Pittsburgh Area Office
   • Christopher Robinson - Assistant Area Director, OSHA Pittsburgh Area Office
      

2. Implementation Team Meetings

   • June 21, 2012 - Conference Call
   • October 15, 2012 - In-person - Dormont, PA
   • December 10, 2012 - In-person - Dormont, PA
   • February 19, 2013 - In-person - Dormont, PA
   • April 19, 2013 - In-person - Dormont, PA
   • May 20, 2013 - In-person - Dormont, PA
      

3. Activities and Products

   Evaluation Period

   May 27, 2012 to May 27, 2013

   Alliance Activity

   June 7, 2012 - IUPAT District Council 57 - CAS met with Apprenticeship instructors - Provided information on Heat Stress and fall protection. In addition, discussed safety and health issues/concerns. Also provided updated info on fatality stats (This organization has approximately 175 apprentices and 2200 members).

   June 7, 2012 - Insulators & Asbestos Workers Local 2 - CAS met with Apprenticeship coordinator & instructors - Provided information on Heat Stress and fall protection. In addition, discussed safety and health issues/concerns. Also provided updated info on fatality stats (This organization has approximately 90 apprentices and 450 members).

   June 2, 2011 - CAS had a meeting with the Laborers District Council of Western Pennsylvania Apprenticeship Coordinator and instructors to discuss safety and health curricula, resources on the website on heat stress(provided poster and facts sheet), and updated information on fatality stats/frequently cited standards/OSHA policies.

   June 8, 2012 - Ironworkers Local #3 - CAS met with Apprenticeship coordinator & instructors - - Provided information on Heat Stress and fall protection. In addition, discussed safety and health issues/concerns. Also provided updated info on fatality stats (This organization has approximately 160 apprentices and 1100 members).

   June 20, 2012 - Laborers District Council of Western Pennsylvania - CAS met with Apprenticeship coordinator & instructors - Provided information on Heat Stress and fall protection. In addition, discussed safety and health issues/concerns. Also provided updated info on fatality stats (This organization has approximately 51 apprentices and 8000 members).

   June 21, 2012 - Boilermakers Local 154 - CAS met with Apprenticeship coordinator - Provided information on Heat Stress and fall protection. In addition, discussed safety and health issues/concerns. Also provided updated info on fatality stats (This organization has approximately 100 apprentices/350 trainees and 1800 members).

   June 21, 2012 - Pittsburgh Regional Building and Construction Trades Council - CAS met with Business Manager - Provided information on Heat Stress and fall protection. In addition, discussed safety and health issues/concerns. Also provided updated info on fatality stats. In addition, discussed pledging support for a new partnership site (This organization has approximately 21000 members).

   June 28, 2012 - Sheet Metal Workers Local #12- CAS met with Apprenticeship Coordinator & Instructors - Provided information on Heat Stress and fall protection. In addition, discussed safety and health issues/concerns. Also provided updated info on fatality stats (This organization has approximately 130 apprentices and 1000 members).

   June 28, 2012 - Sprinkler Fitters Local #542 - CAS met with Business Manager - Provided information on Heat Stress and fall protection. In addition, discussed safety and health issues/concerns. Also provided updated info on fatality stats (This organization has approximately 18 apprentices and 151 members).

   June 29, 2012 - Plumbers Local #27 - CAS met with Apprenticeship Coordinator - Provided information on Heat Stress and fall protection. In addition, discussed safety and health issues/concerns. Also provided updated info on fatality stats (This organization has approximately 58 apprentices and 511 members).

   June 29, 2012 - Steamfitters Local #449 - Met with Apprenticeship Coordinator - Provided information on Heat Stress and fall protection. In addition, discussed safety and health issues/concerns. Also provided updated info on fatality stats (This organization has approximately 150 apprentices and 1100 members).

   August 9, 2012 - CAS/Acting AD meeting with P.J. Dick representatives and the Business Manager of the Pittsburgh Regional Building and Construction Trades Council. Certificates of appreciation were given to both parties for the successful completion of the UPMC East Hospital Project Partnership. In Addition, this was the Kick-Off meeting for the new Partnership at the PNC Plaza.

   October 25, 2012 - Apprenticeship Information Committee meeting discussing apprenticeship concerns to include future staffing, employment, education, and safety concerns. CAS provided an update.

   November 2, 2012 - Western Pennsylvania Operating Engineers Local #66 - Meeting with Apprenticeship Coordinator discussing clarification of information presented at the past Apprenticeship Information Committee meeting.

   November 8, 2012 - CAS and Business Manager of the Pittsburgh Regional Building and Construction Trades Council meeting discussing finalized addendum for signing for P.J. Dick Partnership Agreement for the construction of the PNC Tower.

   January 28, 2013 - Ironworkers Local #3 - CAS conducted presentation/training at the apprenticeship school as part of an OSHA 30hr Course. Topics covered were worker rights, inspection procedures, multi-employer worksite policy, and General question of a variety of construction standards. In addition, the CAS met with the Apprenticeship Coordinator and instructors discussing member safety and health concerns and OSHA updates.

   February 28, 2013 - Apprentice Information Committee meeting discussing apprenticeship concerns about getting increased diversity in the trades - local community college discussed a free math test prep to improve applicant scores. In addition, upcoming events to promote building trades work and careers in the trades were discussed. CAS presented information on Pittsburgh Area Office fatality stats (with handouts), OSHA focus initiative on falls in construction, government budget issue update, and possibly inviting the acting area director and labor liaison to a meeting (depending on budget concerns).

   March 12, 2013 - CAS attended a contractor educational forum sponsored by the Builders Guild and the Marcellus Shale Coalition. The event took place at the IBEW Local #5 Conference Center/Apprenticeship School. This forum had a variety of speakers and vendors that discussed and provided information on "How to do Business in the natural gas industry". The Business Manager of the Pittsburgh Regional Building and Construction Trades Council was one of the speakers promoting union trades’ involvement in the natural gas industry. The safety requirements and expectations for contractors were discussed. The CAS was able to network with representatives from unions, contractor associations, and the natural gas industry. The CAS provided OSHA updated information to the various representatives and answered a variety of questions regarding OSHA standards and inspection procedures.

   April 29, 2013 - Workers’ Memorial Day - Allegheny County Labor Council, AFL-CIO - CAS and Acting AD attended the Workers' Memorial Day Service held in Market Square, Pittsburgh PA. The Business Manager of the Pittsburgh Regional Building and Construction Trades Council along with representatives from the Trades’ Unions were in attendance.

   May 10, 2013 - Carpenters District Council - CAS attended the Annual Design Build & Carpenter Competition. CAS provided updated OSHA information and answered numerous questions relating to OSHA construction standards/policies/procedures throughout the day event.

   May 16, 2013 - Apprentice Information Committee meeting - CAS presented information and provided handouts on fall protection and heat stress.

   Throughout this evaluation period, the CAS has e-mailed the four safety alerts on product defects relating to, Genie Lift, FallTech/Yoke snap hooks & rebar hooks, RIDGID Nail Gun and Chinese made polyester slings.

   Various Business Agents/Field Representatives and Apprenticeship Coordinators/Instructors call monthly for discussion and guidance on construction standards and OSHA policy/procedure information.

4. Results

   The training and outreach communication information provided was well received. The member union representatives of the council found the information to be valuable in assisting them in their efforts of promoting and providing safety and health training to their members in reducing and preventing exposure to the various hazards associated with the construction industry.

   Apprenticeship Coordinators, Instructors, Business Agents and members who have called throughout the year indicated the information received from the Pittsburgh Area Office was very helpful in interpreting OSHA’s policies and standards as they related to their current construction activities. The Council represents approximately 21,000 members. The information exchanged with the Building Trades Council would eventually have the potential to affect the entire membership, that being approximately 21,000 members. The working relationship between the Alliance Signatories and the feedback on the Alliance has been extremely positive.

   Type of Activity (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.)	Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
   IUPAT District Council 57 - CAS met with Apprenticeship instructors - Provided information on Heat Stress and fall protection. In addition, discussed safety and health issues/concerns. Also provided updated info on fatality stats (6/7/12)	175 apprentices 2200 total members
   Insulators & Asbestos Workers Local 2 - CAS met with Apprenticeship coordinator & instructors - Provided information on Heat Stress and fall protection. In addition, discussed safety and health issues/concerns. Also provided updated info on fatality stats (6/7/12)	90 apprentices 450 total members
   Ironworkers Local #3 - CAS met with Apprenticeship coordinator & instructors - Provided information on Heat Stress and fall protection. In addition, discussed safety and health issues/concerns. Also provided updated info on fatality stats (6/8/12)	160 apprentices 1100 total members
   Sheet Metal Workers Local #12- CAS met with Apprenticeship Coordinator & Instructors - Provided information on Heat Stress and fall protection. In addition, discussed safety and health issues/concerns. Also provided updated info on fatality stats (6/28/12)	130 apprentices 1000 total members
   Sprinkler Fitters Local #542 - CAS met with Business Manager - Provided information on Heat Stress and fall protection. In addition, discussed safety and health issues/concerns. Also provided updated info on fatality stats (6/28/12)	18 apprentices 151 total members
   Plumbers Local #27 - CAS met with Apprenticeship Coordinator - Provided information on Heat Stress and fall protection. In addition, discussed safety and health issues/concerns. Also provided updated info on fatality stats (6/29/12)	58 apprentices 511 total members
   Steamfitters Local #449 - Met with Apprenticeship Coordinator - Provided information on Heat Stress and fall protection. In addition, discussed safety and health issues/concerns. Also provided updated info on fatality stats (6/29/12)	150 apprentices 1100 total members
   CAS/Acting AD meeting with P.J. Dick representatives and the Business Manager of the Pittsburgh Regional Building and Construction Trades Council. Certificates of appreciation were given to both parties for the successful completion of the UPMC East Hospital Project Partnership. In Addition, this was the Kick-Off meeting for the new Partnership at the PNC Plaza. (8/9/12)	Approximately 600 Union Trades Members
   Apprenticeship Information Committee meeting discussing apprenticeship concerns to include future staffing, employment, education, and safety concerns. CAS provided an update. (10/25/12)	20
   Western Pennsylvania Operating Engineers Local #66 - Meeting with Apprenticeship Coordinator discussing clarification of information presented at the past Apprenticeship Information Committee meeting. (11/2/12)	7000 Total Members
   CAS and Business Manager of the Pittsburgh Regional Building and Construction Trades Council meeting discussing finalized addendum for signing for P.J. Dick Partnership Agreement for the construction of the PNC Tower. (11/8/12)	Approximately 300 - 350 Union Trades Members
   Ironworkers Local #3 - CAS conducted presentation/training at the apprenticeship school as part of an OSHA 30hr Course. Topics covered were worker rights, inspection procedures, multi-employer worksite policy, and General question of a variety of construction standards. In addition, the CAS met with the Apprenticeship Coordinator and instructors discussing member safety and health concerns and OSHA updates. (1/28/13)	16
   Apprentice Information Committee meeting discussing apprenticeship concerns about getting increased diversity in the trades - local community college discussed a free math test prep to improve applicant scores. In addition, upcoming events to promote building trades work and careers in the trades were discussed. CAS presented information on Pittsburgh Area Office fatality stats (with handouts), OSHA focus initiative on falls in construction, government budget issue update, and possibly inviting the acting area director and labor liaison to a meeting (depending on budget concerns). (2/28/13)	14
   CAS attended a contractor educational forum sponsored by the Builders Guild and the Marcellus Shale Coalition. The event took place at the IBEW Local #5 Conference Center/Apprenticeship School. This forum had a variety of speakers and vendors that discussed and provided information on "How to do Business in the natural gas industry". The Business Manager of the Pittsburgh Regional Building and Construction Trades Council was one of the speakers promoting union trades’ involvement in the natural gas industry. The safety requirements and expectations for contractors were discussed. The CAS was able to network with representatives from unions, contractor associations, and the natural gas industry. The CAS provided OSHA updated information to the various representatives and answered a variety of questions regarding OSHA standards and inspection procedures. (3/12/13)	150
   Workers’ Memorial Day - Allegheny County Labor Council, AFL-CIO - CAS and Acting AD attended the Workers' Memorial Day Service held in Market Square, Pittsburgh PA. The Business Manager of the Pittsburgh Regional Building and Construction Trades Council along with representatives from the Trades’ Unions were in attendance. (4/29/13)	100
   Carpenters District Council - CAS attended the Annual Design Build & Carpenter Competition. CAS provided updated OSHA information and answered numerous questions relating to OSHA construction standards/policies/procedures throughout the day event. (5/10/13)	1000
   Apprentice Information Committee meeting - CAS presented information and provided handouts on fall protection and heat stress.	10 (Council represents 21,000 members)
   TOTAL	21,000 total members represented by Council

5. Upcoming Milestones

   The Alliance is continually looking into future opportunities in providing information for affected parties. The Alliance signatories will continue to work to address the safety and health needs of the affected parties.

Report Prepared by: Bob Carroll, CAS Pittsburgh Area Office

For more information, contact the Office of Outreach Services and Alliances at 202-693-2340 or go to www.osha.gov.