OSHA and American Foundry Society Alliance Close-Out Report

On March 22, 2004, OSHA and the American Foundry Society (AFS) formed an Alliance that encouraged AFS members and others, including small businesses in the metal casting industry, to increase worker access to safety and health information and training resources on workplace issues, including personal protective equipment (PPE), heat stress and reducing and preventing exposure to silica. The Alliance was renewed on April 28, 2006 and April 11, 2008.

Based on discussions regarding the future of the Alliance, OSHA and AFS agreed to conclude the agreement as of January 2, 2014. A number of successes resulted from OSHA and AFS working together to meet the Alliance's goals. For example:

• On October 19-25, 2009, AFS and a number of other Alliance Program participants supported the 2009 Drug-Free Work Week. Sponsored annually by the U.S. Department of Labor's Working Partners for an Alcohol and Drug-Free Workplace Program, the Week focused on educating employers, employees and the public about the importance of being drug-free as an essential component of a safe and healthful workplace.
• On August 17, 2009, Ken Gilbert, Area Director, Indianapolis, Indiana Area Office, USDOL-OSHA, staffed an OSHA Alliance Program exhibit booth at the 21st AFS Environmental Health and Safety Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana.
• On May 3-9, 2009, AFS and more than 57 other Alliance Program participants supported 2009 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week. Sponsored annually by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), an Alliance Program participant, and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE), the Week focuses on the importance of preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace. The theme for 2009 NAOSH Week was "Safety Means Always Coming Home."
• On April 21-22, 2009, representatives AFS member Navistar International held an AFS Foundry Best Practices Seminar for OSHA Region V staff in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
• On April 7-10, 2009, representatives from OSHA Region IX and Nevada OSHA staffed an OSHA Alliance Program exhibit booth during 113th Metalcasting Congress in Las Vegas, Nevada.
• Through the OSHA and AFS Alliance, in December 2008, AFS developed, "White Paper: Establishing a Foundry Heat Stress Management Program," which is linked to from the OSHA and AFS Alliance Web page on the OSHA Web site.
• AFS OSHA Compliance Seminar, AFS Headquarters, Independence, Ohio, May 25, 2010.

Report Prepared by: Bill Willson, Program Analyst, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, July 16, 2014.