PLANET - Alliance Annual Report - March 7, 2006

ALLIANCE ANNUAL REPORT
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
and the
Professional Landcare Network (PLANET)
March 7, 2006

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed

    February 23, 2004

    Overview

    The OSHA and PLANET Alliance focuses on providing large and small landscape industry businesses, their employees, including youth and non-English speaking workers, with information and guidance that will help them reduce strains caused by manual material handling; amputations; motor vehicle crashes; and slips, trips, and falls injuries.

    Implementation Team Members

    OSHA:

    Beau Ellis
    Directorate of Enforcement Programs (DEP)
    Rick Harris
    Office of Outreach Services and Alliances (OOSA)
    Lee Anne Jillings
    OOSA
    Jim Mitchell
    Office of Small Business Assistances (OSBA)
    Bob Nester
    Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine (DSTM)
    Lisa Ramber
    OOSA

    PLANET:

    Jennifer Ayers
    Director of Products and Services
    Kirsten Combs
    Safety Program Coordinator
    Betsy Demorest
    Events and Products Manager
    Mari Medrano
    Safety Officer, CoCal Landscaping
    Barb Mulhern
    Safety Specialist
    Peter Ruvalcaba
    Safety Consultant
    David Snodgrass
    Chairman, Safety & Insurance Manager, Dennis' Seven Dees Landscaping
    Tanya Tolpegin
    Chief Operating Officer

    Evaluation Period

    February 23, 2005 – February 22, 2006

  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    March 7, 2005
    Tips Sheets Work Group Conference Call
    March 8, 2005
    Student Career Days Work Group Conference Call
    March 21, 2005
    Implementation Team Meeting
    July 15, 2005
    Implementation Team Meeting
    December 13, 2005
    Federal Network for Young Worker Safety and Health, Limited English Proficiency Work Group Conference Call

  3. Results

    1. Events and Products

      Training and Education Goal

      • Develop and deliver safety training programs designed to meet the needs of the diverse workforce, using appropriate language, media, and delivery methods. Identify and mentor potential trainers who are bilingual and have knowledge of the industry to teach the courses.

        During this reporting period, the OSHA and PLANET Alliance Implementation Team did not start work on programs or projects to address this goal.

      Outreach and Communication Goals

      • Develop and disseminate information through print and electronic media, including electronic assistance tools and links from OSHA's and PLANET's Web sites.

      Products

      Landscape and Horticultural Services Safety and Health Topics Page

      Members from the OSHA and PLANET Alliance implementation team continued to work together by providing information, landscaping industry photographs and comments to OSHA's SLTC staff during the final stage of the development of OSHA's Landscape and Horticultural Services Safety and Health Topics page. The Landscape and Horticultural Services Safety and Health Topics page was posted on OSHA's Web site in May 2005. PLANET promoted OSHA's Topics page to its members and others, through news releases, members-only monthly newsletters and its Web site.

      The following PLANET representatives and members are on the Topics page's editorial board:

      • Dave Snodgrass - Dennis' Seven Dees Landscaping
      • John Rovedo - American Civil Contractors, Inc.
      • Barb Mulhern - PLANET Safety Specialist

      OSHA and PLANET Alliance Web Page

      OSHA continued to update the OSHA and PLANET Alliance Web page on the Agency's Web site. The Web page includes links to the OSHA and PLANET Alliance agreement, OSHA news releases, a photograph of the signing ceremony, activities and events, products and resources, and milestones and successes. In addition, information and links were added to the page as the implementation team developed products and resources including, PLANET's series of Safety Tips Sheets. For more information on the number of visits to the OSHA and PLANET Web page, please see the Alliance Program Reach table.

      PLANET and OSHA Alliance Web Page

      PLANET continued to update its PLANET and OSHA Web page with safety and health information, news releases and links to the PLANET and OSHA Alliance Web page on the agency's Web site. For example, the OSHA and PLANET Alliance is highlighted on PLANET's Safety Programs Web page. In addition, PLANET posted its series of Safety Tips Sheets, which were developed in English and in Spanish with input from OSHA, on the Web page. The page also has a links to OSHA's Landscaping and Horticultural Services Safety and Health Topics page and other agency resources, projects and activities.

      PLANET Safety Tips Sheet Series

      Through the OSHA and PLANET Alliance, the association developed the following series of Safety Tips Sheets, in English and in Spanish with input from OSHA, for employers and employees in the landscaping and horticultural services industries:

      • Safety Tips Sheet No. 1: Slip and Trip Injuries. The Tips Sheet, completed during the 2004-2005 Alliance reporting period, describes the possible causes of slip and trip injuries in the landcare industry and how the injuries could be prevented.

      • Safety Tips Sheet No. 2: Reducing the Risk of Lifting Injuries in the Landscape and Horticultural Industries. The Tips Sheet, completed in July 2005, describes possible causes of lifting injuries in the landcare industry and how the injuries could be prevented.

      • Safety Tips Sheet No. 3: Driving Defensively to Avoid a Motor Vehicle Crash. The Tips Sheet, completed in November 2005, describes possible conditions that can cause a motor vehicle crash and offers defensive driving safety tips.

      • Safety Tips Sheet No. 4: Reducing the Risk of an Amputation. The Tips Sheet, completed in February 2006, provides information on amputations in the landscaping industry and safety tips for reducing the risk of amputations.

      The Tips Sheets are posted on PLANET's Web site and linked to from OSHA's Landscape and Horticultural Services Safety and Health Topics Page and the OSHA and PLANET Alliance Web page.

      Publications and News Releases

      A number of articles on the OSHA and PLANET Alliance and some of the products developed through it have appeared in print and online publications including: PLANET News; BNA Occupational Safety and Health Reporter; Lawn and Landscape; Landscape Management, SafetySoultions© and OSHA Up to Date.

      PLANET promoted the OSHA and PLANET Alliance through news releases issued during the reporting period. For example, on June 6, 2005, PLANET published a news release, "OSHA, In Alliance With PLANET, Launches Safety and Health Topics Page", which highlighted the launching of the Topics page on OSHA's Web site. In addition, on December 1, 2005, PLANET issued a news release, "PLANET Develops Bilingual Defensive Driving Tips Sheet" which highlighted safety tips to help avoid the risk of a motor vehicle crash. For more information on print and online publications, please see the Alliance Program Reach table.

      PLANET Safety SOLUTIONS© Newsletter

      PLANET publishes SafetySOLUTIONS©, a monthly members-only newsletter. Articles on the OSHA – PLANET Alliance and OSHA safety and health information were included in a number of issues. For example, the June 2005 edition featured articles, "PLANET-OSHA Alliance Web Pages Now Available;" "PLANET-OSHA Alliance Receives National Promotion;" and "New Bilingual Slips and Trips Training Available." In addition, the December 2005 edition, PLANET published an article, "Reducing the Risk of Painful Amputations", which described some of the conditions where an amputation can occur and provided safety tips to reduce the risk of an amputation.

      • Speak, exhibit, or appear at PLANET and OSHA conferences such as local meetings, the Landscape Industry Conference & GIE, Student Career Days, PLANET Forum, Specialty Symposiums and other events.

      Events

      Green Industry Conference (GIC), Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida, November 2-5, 2005

      OSHA representatives from OSHA's National Office; OSHA's Region VI, Tampa, Florida Area Office; University of South Florida (USF) SafetyFlorida Consultation Program; and PLANET shared an exhibit booth in the PLANET Resource Center at the GIC November 2-5, 2005 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. OSHA, USF SafetyFlorida Consultation Program and PLANET representatives distributed safety and health publications and answered questions from approximately 1,800 landscape and horticultural industry employers and employees. There were approximately 5,000 attendees at the event.

      Green Industry Exposition (GIE), Orlando, Florida, November 3, 2005

      PLANET's GIE was held in conjunction with the GIC on November 3, 2004 in Orlando, Florida. The GIE is an outdoor event during which the attendees can operate and evaluate landscaping and horticultural industries equipment. OSHA and USF SafetyFlorida Consultation Program representatives staffed an Alliance Program exhibit booth and answered questions from approximately 125 landscape and horticultural industry employers and employees. There were approximately 2,000 attendees at this event.

      • Promote and encourage PLANET members' participation in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Programs, Consultation and its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.

      Events

      PLANET Consultation Program Roundtable, GIC, Orlando, Florida, November 5, 2005.

      On November 5, 2005, Keith Brown, Safety and Health Consultant, USF SafetyFlorida Consultation Program, gave a presentation and answered questions about the Consultation Program during a breakout session at the GIC. In addition, OSHA and USF SafetyFlorida Consultation Program representatives distributed safety and health publications to the breakout session's attendees.

      • Work with other Alliance Program participants on specific issues and projects in the landscape industry that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.

        During this reporting period, the OSHA and PLANET Alliance Implementation Team did not started work on programs or projects to address this goal.

      Promoting the National Dialogue Goals on Safety and Health:

      • In speeches and other public appearances PLANET leaders/mentors will demonstrate their own commitment to workplace safety and health and raise the awareness of effective safety and health management in the industry.

        During this reporting period, the OSHA and PLANET Alliance Implementation Team did not started work on programs or projects to address this goal.

      • Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues, especially those relating to "hard-to reach" and non-English speaking workers.

      Events

      OSHA's Federal Network for Young Worker Safety and Health (FedNet) Limited English Proficiency Workgroup

      OSHA's FedNet Limited English Proficiency Workgroup is developing outreach materials for youth workers in the landscaping industry. PLANET Alliance implementation team members are actively participating with the workgroup through conference calls. For example, on December 13, 2005, the association provided landscaping industry expertise and provided written responses to the workgroup's questions.

    2. Executive Summary

      OSHA and PLANET continued to work together through the excellent working relationship that was established during the first year of the Alliance. Through the Alliance Program, OSHA and PLANET are addressing issues such as reducing injuries caused by manual material handling, amputations and slip and trip injuries.

      For example, OSHA has continued to update the OSHA and PLANET Alliance Web page on the agency's Web site including adding links to PLANET's Safety Tips Sheets. PLANET also updated its Safety Programs Web page, with links to the OSHA and PLANET Alliance Web page, OSHA's resources and other safety and health information. PLANET added its Safety Tips Sheets on Driving Defensively to Avoid a Motor Vehicle Crash and Reducing the Risk of an Amputation to its Web site.

      The OSHA and PLANET Alliance continues to promote OSHA's Landscaping and Horticultural Services Safety and Health Topics page, which was posted on OSHA's Web site on May 13, 2005, as a valuable resource for the landscaping and horticultural service industry. For example, in the June 2005 edition of Planet News, PLANET published an article about the Topics page. In addition, in the June 2005 edition of SafetySoultions©, PLANET published an article informing its members that the Topics page is available as a resource on the Agency's Web site. Further, PLANET issued a news release on June 6, 2005 which promoted the page. In addition, Dave Snodgrass, John Rovedo, and Barb Mulhern continue to serve as members of the Topic's page editorial board.

      OSHA and PLANET continued to work together to share safety and health information with the landscaping and horticultural services industry through participating at conferences and exhibiting. During PLANET's GIC and GIE in Orlando, FL, OSHA, PLANET and USF SafetyFlorida Consultation Program representatives shared exhibit booths. At both events, OSHA and USF SafetyFlorida Consultation Program staff answered the attendees' questions and distributed safety and health publications.

      In addition, PLANET completed its development of a series of Safety Tips Sheets in English and in Spanish, with input from OSHA. The Tips Sheets were developed for employers and employees in the landscaping and horticultural services industries and are posted on the association's Web site and linked to from OSHA's Landscape and Horticultural Services Safety and Health Topics Page and the OSHA and PLANET Alliance Web page. During the reporting period, PLANET produced the following Tips Sheets:

      • Reducing the Risk of Lifting Injuries in the Landscape and Horticultural Industries
      • Driving Defensively to Avoid a Motor Vehicle Crash
      • Reducing the Risk of an Amputation

      The OSHA and PLANET implementation team also worked together to develop an Alliance renewal agreement which is scheduled to be signed April 6, 2006 in Alexandria, VA in conjunction with the launch of OSHA's campaign targeted to youth workers in summer jobs, Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign.

    3. Alliance Program Reach

      Type of Activity Number of Individuals Reached
      July 2005, "OSHA Launches Landscaping Horticultural Services Web Page"
      OSHA Up To Date      		 Data not available
      July 2005, "OSHA Launches Landscaping Horticultural Services Web Page"
      SDMS Sound News      		 Data not available
      August 2005, "Fact Sheets for Landscape Workers"
      Florida Agsafe Safety News & Notes      		 Data not available
      August 2005, "PLANET Presents a New Bilingual Safety Tips Sheet on Safe Lifting"
      PLANET News      		 Data not available
      October 2005, "Safety and OSHA sessions at GIC"
      PLANET News      		 Data not available
      November 3, 2005 - Green Industry Exposition, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida
      Alliance Program Exhibit      		 125
      November 4-5, 2005 - Green Industry Conference, Orange County Convention Center
      Orlando, Florida
      Alliance Program Exhibit      		 1,800
      November 5, 2005 - Green Industry Conference, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida, "Utilizing OSHA Consultation Service to Reduce Workplace Hazards"

      OSHA Speaker: Keith Brown, Safety and Health Consultant, USF SafetyFlorida Consultation Program      		 6
      December 1, 2005, "PLANET Develops Bilingual Defensive Driving Tips Sheet"
      PLANET News Release      		 Data not available
      December 5, 2005, "Get Safe! Industry Pros Take Advantage of Free OSHA Compliance Consultations"
      Lawn and Landscape News      		 Data not available
      December 10, 2005, "PLANET Launches Bilingual Defensive Driving Tips Sheet"
      Front Page E-newsletter      		 7,000
      December 2005, "Reducing the Risk of Painful Amputations"
      SafetySolutions©      		 7,000
      January 2006, "Safe Driving - Use New Bilingual Safety Tips Sheet to Train Workers"
      PLANET News      		 Data not available
      February 9, 2006, "Study: Workers Safer on the Job Than at Home"
      Lawn and Landscape      		 Data not available
      February 2006, "New tool for training workers to prevent amputations"
      Lawn and Landscape      		 Data not available
      OSHA and PLANET Alliance Web page 4,800
      PLANET and OSHA Alliance Web page on PLANET's Web site Data not available
      "Slip and Trip Injuries"
      PLANET Safety Tips Sheet      		 Data not available
      "Reducing the Risk of Lifting Injuries in the Landscaping and Horticultural Industries"
      PLANET Safety Tips Sheet      		 Data not available
      "Driving defensively to Reduce the Risk of a Motor Vehicle Crash"
      PLANET Safety Tips Sheet      		 Data not available
      "Reducing the Risk of an Amputation"
      PLANET Safety Tips Sheet      		 Data not available
      TOTAL  

  4. Upcoming Milestones

    In the upcoming year, OSHA and PLANET will continue its excellent working relationship and collaborate on a number of projects to support the Alliance agreement. For example, OSHA and PLANET will continue to update OSHA's Landscape and Horticultural Safety and Health Topics page. PLANET members, Dave Snodgrass, John Rovedo, and Barb Mulhern, will continue to serve as members of the Topics page's editorial board.

    OSHA and PLANET will continue to raise awareness of safety and health issues pertinent to the landscaping industry through joint activities. PLANET will invite OSHA to exhibit and speak during its Green Industry Conference and Green Industry Exposition, November 1-4, 2006 in Columbus, Ohio. In addition, PLANET will continue to develop articles on safety and health topics, for its members and others, in PLANET's SafetySoultions© and PLANET News, on OSHA's compliance assistance materials, projects, activities and safety and health issues that impact the landscaping and horticultural services industry.

    PLANET will also participate in the kick off event for OSHA's Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign initiative which focuses on reducing injuries and illnesses for youth workers employed in summer jobs by the landscaping industry. PLANET will offer brief remarks and the OSHA and PLANET Alliance will be renewed in an Alliance signing ceremony at the event scheduled for April 6, 2006.

    In addition, OSHA and PLANET will continue to work together through the FED NET Limited English Proficiency Workgroup. PLANET will provide the Workgroup with information on landscaping industry safety and health issues and expertise.

Report prepared by: Richard L. Harris, Alliance Coordinator, Office of Outreach Services Alliances, March 7, 2006