PLANET - Alliance Annual Report - February 23, 2008

ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
and the
Professional Landcare Network (PLANET)
February 23, 2008

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed

    February 23, 2004

    Date Renewed

    April 4, 2006

    Overview

    The OSHA and PLANET Alliance focuses on providing large and small landscape industry businesses, their employees, including but not limited to youth workers, "hard to reach," and non-English speaking workers, with information and guidance to help them reduce strains caused by manual material handling; amputations; motor vehicle crashes; and slips, trips, and falls injuries.

    Implementation Team Members

    OSHA:

    Dale Caldwell
    Office of Small Business Assistances (OSBA)
    Rick Harris*
    Office of Outreach Services and Alliances (OOSA)
    Lee Anne Jillings
    OOSA
    Jim Mitchell
    OSBA
    Lisa Ramber
    OOSA
    Rob Swick**
    OOSA
    Ryan Tremain
    OOSA
    Bea Way
    OOSA

    PLANET:

    Laurie Bishop-Erdman
    Safety Committee Co-chair, PLANET, The Bruce Company of Wisconsin, Inc.
    Sabeena Hickman
    Chief Operating Officer, PLANET
    Lou Kobus
    Fox Run Nurseries, Inc.
    Ilene Manster
    Membership Coordinator, PLANET
    Sherry MacDonald
    Director of Industry Relations and Development, PLANET
    Beth McElroy
    James Martin Associates, Inc.
    Barb Mulhern
    Consultant
    Kim Norviel
    Engledow Group
    David Snodgrass
    Safety Committee Co-chair, PLANET, Dennis' Seven Dees Landscaping, Inc.
    Tanya Tolpegin
    Chief Executive Officer, PLANET

    * Rick Harris served as the Alliance Coordinator until August 27, 2007
    ** Rob Swick serves as the Alliance Coordinator since August 27, 2007

    Evaluation Period

    February 23, 2007 – February 22, 2008

  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    December 3, 2007
    Implementation Team Meeting
    June 7, 2007
    Implementation Team Meeting

    In addition to these formal meetings, the Alliance coordinators from each organization, Rob Swick and Ilene Manster, spoke regularly to discuss and plan the activities and programs listed under events and products.

  3. Results

    1. Events and Products

      Training and Education Goal

      • Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop and deliver safety training materials designed to meet the needs of the diverse workforce, using appropriate language, media, and delivery methods.

        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

      • Work with OSHA to provide expertise in developing information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and to provide expertise in developing ways of communicating such information (e.g. through print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools, and OSHA's and PLANET's Web sites) to employees in the industry.

        Products

        Green Industry Quick Cards

        During the reporting period the OSHA and PLANET Alliance implementation team developed three draft green industry quick cards:

        • The Gasoline Powered Cut-off machines
        • Personal Protective Equipment for mixing chemical in law care
        • Using small equipment safety in landscaping

        PLANET shared its draft QuickCards with OSHA for review and feedback and the association will complete them in the spring of 2008. The QuickCards will be translated in to Spanish.

        OSHA Landscape and Horticultural Services Safety and Health Topics Page

        PLANET members continued to provide expertise and input on OSHA's Landscape and Horticultural Services Safety and Health Topics page, which is a product of the OSHA and PLANET Alliance and was posted on the Agency's Web site in May 2005. The following PLANET representatives and members serve on the Topics page's editorial board:

        • Dave Snodgrass, CLP, Dennis' Seven Dees Landscaping, Inc.
        • John Rovedo, American Civil Contractors, Inc.
        • Ilene Manster, Membership Coordinator, PLANET

        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, the renewal agreement, OSHA news releases, photographs of the renewal signing ceremony and PLANET's participation at the Department of Labor Safety Day 2007, activities and events, products and resources, and milestones and successes. 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 Alliance Web page with safety and health information, news releases and links to the OSHA and PLANET Alliance Web page on the Agency's Web site. The page also has a links to OSHA's Landscaping and Horticultural Services Safety and Health Topics page and other agency resources and activities.

        Publications and News Releases

        A number of articles on the OSHA and PLANET Alliance and products developed through the Alliance have appeared in print and online publications including: Insurance Newsnet, PLANET News and OSHA Up to Date. For more information on print and online publications, please see the Alliance Program Reach table.

      • 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

        PLANET Specialty Symposium, August 24-26, 2007, Indianapolis, Indiana

        On August 24-26, 2007, PLANET staff distributed OSHA publications from an exhibit booth during the PLANET Specialty Symposium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

        Green Industry Conference + EXPO, October 24-27, 2007, Louisville, Kentucky

        On October 25-26, 2007, Suzanne Porter, Industrial Hygienist, Region IV, Frankfort, Kentucky Area Office, USDOL-OSHA; and Richard Taylor, Safety Specialist, Region IV, Frankfort, Kentucky Area Office, USDOL-OSHA; staffed that OSHA booth at the PLANET Central resource center, answered questions, and distributed safety and health information – including the OSHA and PLANET Alliance Activities Summary and QuickCards – during the 2007 Green Industry Conference + EXPO, Louisville, Kentucky. In addition, on October 27, 2007, Ron McGill, then Area Director, Nashville and Frankfort, Kentucky Area Offices, USDOL-OSHA, made a presentation at he conference, "OSHA Resources and the OSHA and PLANET Alliance," to green industry service providers.

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

        PLANET Article: "OSHA's Cooperative Programs – A Proactive Step"

        Barbara Mulhern, a consultant for PLANET, drafted the article, "OSHA's Cooperative Programs – A Proactive Step." The article provides information regarding OSHA's cooperative programs including, the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP), the Alliance Program, and the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). The article was published in the May 2007 issue of PLANET News.

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

        Events

        Department of Labor Safety Day, June 6, 2007, Francis Perkins Building, Washington, DC

        On June 6, 2007, Ilene Manster, PLANET Membership Coordinator; Josh Kane, Kane Lawn and Landscapes, Inc., Potomac Falls, Virginia; and Bern Bonifant, Bay Country Lawns Inc., Fairfax, Virginia; Karen Barnett, PLANET, staffed an exhibit booth, answered questions and distributed safety and health information for 250 Department of Labor employees during the 2007 Department of Labor Safety Day, at the Francis Perkins Building in Washington, DC.

        Department of Labor Earth Day, April 23, 2007, Francis Perkins Building, Washington, DC

        On April 23, 2007 PLANET representatives, including Sue Clay, Fox Run Nurseries, Inc.; Sebastian Clay, Fox Run Nurseries, Inc.; Bern Bonifant, Bay Country Lawns, Inc.; and Ilene Manster, PLANET, staffed a PLANET and OSHA Alliance exhibit booth and demonstrated ergonomically designed landscaping tools during the 2007 Department of Labor Earth Day, at the Francis Perkins Building in Washington, DC.

        2007 North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH), May 6-12, 2007

        PLANET joined with a number of other Alliance Program participants, and OSHA, to support 2007 NAOSH Week, May 6-12, 2007. 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 the 2007 campaign was "All Modes of Transportation." In support of NAOSH Week, PLANET sent e-mail messages and distributed NAOSH posters to its members.

        2008 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week, May 4-10, 2008

        PLANET members are working with over 40 other Alliance Program participants to develop a plan to support 2008 NAOSH Week which will be held May 4-10. NAOSH Week is sponsored by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), another Alliance Program participant. The theme of this year's event is "Safety is Good Business."

        Products

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

        OSHA's FedNet Limited English Proficiency Workgroup developed two outreach brochures for youth workers in the green industry – "Can You Dig It!" and "A Guide for Young Workers in the Landscaping Industry." The brochures are posted on the Department of Labor's "Youth Rules" Web site and there is a link to the brochures on the PLANET and OSHA Alliance Web page on PLANET's Web site.

      • Share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding PLANET's best practices or effective approaches and publicize results through outreach by PLANET and through OSHA or PLANET developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures or any applicable forum.

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

      Promoting the National Dialogue Goals on Safety and Health Goal

      • 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.

        Events

        PLANET 31st Student Career Days, March 29-31, 2007, Michigan State University, Lansing, Michigan

        On March 28-30, 2007, Cynthia Hutchens-Smith, Area Director, Region V, Lansing, Michigan Area Office, USDOL-OSHA; Barry Simmonds, Occupational Safety Consultant, Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), Consultation, Education and Training Division; and Tom Swindlehurst, Senior Construction Safety Consultation, MIOSHA, Consultation, Education and Training Division; staffed an Alliance Program exhibit booth. In addition, on March 31, 2007, Barry Simmonds and Tom Swindlehurst observed the student events to ensure they were conducted safely.

      • 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.

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

    2. Executive Summary

      OSHA and PLANET continued to address issues such as reducing injuries caused by manual material handling, amputations, and slip and trip injuries. Through the Alliance, PLANET developed three draft green industry quick cards:

      • The gasoline powered cut-off machines
      • Personal protective equipment for mixing chemical in law care
      • Using small equipment safety in landscaping

      PLANET shared the draft QuickCards with OSHA for review and feedback and they will be completed in the spring of 2008. The QuickCards will be translated into Spanish.

      Further, PLANET established links from the PLANET and OSHA Alliance Web page on PLANET's Web site to two FedNet brochures "Can You Dig It!" and "A Guide for Young Workers in the Landscaping Industry." The brochures are posted on the Department of Labor's "Youth Rules" Web site.

      Moreover, OSHA continued to update the OSHA and PLANET Alliance Web page on the Agency's Web site. PLANET also updated its OSHA Alliance Program Web page on its Web site, with links to the OSHA and PLANET Alliance Web page and OSHA's resources.

      In addition, OSHA and PLANET shared safety and health information with the landscaping and horticultural services industry through participation in conferences and exhibitions. During PLANET's Green Industry Conference + EXPO, October 25-26, 2007, in Louisville, Kentucky, Suzanne Porter, Industrial Hygienist, Region IV, Frankfort, Kentucky Area Office, USDOL-OSHA; and Richard Taylor, Safety Specialist, Region IV, Frankfort, Kentucky, Area Office, USDOL-OSHA; helped staff the PLANET Central resource center, answered questions, and distributed safety and health information, including the OSHA and PLANET Alliance Activities Summary and OSHA QuickCards. In addition, on October 27, 2007, Ron McGill, then Area Director, Region IV, Nashville and Frankfort, Kentucky Area Offices, USDOL-OSHA, made a presentation - "OSHA Resources and the OSHA and PLANET Alliance" - to green industry service providers at the Conference. Further, at the PLANET Specialty Symposium, August 24-26, 2007 in Indianapolis, Indiana, PLANET staff distributed OSHA publications to the attendees.

      Finally, PLANET representatives continue to serve on the editorial board for OSHA's Landscaping and Horticultural Services Safety and Health Topics page.

    3. Alliance Program Reach

      Type of Activity Number of Individuals Reached
      OSHA and PLANET Web page on the Agency's Web site 18,991
      OSHA Landscape and Horticultural Services Safety and Health Topics page 33,431
      PLANET and OSHA Web page on the Organization's Web site Data Not Available
      March 29-31, 2007: PLANET 31st Student Career Days, Michigan State University, Lansing, Michigan, Alliance Program exhibit booth 150
      April 23, 2007: Department of Labor Earth Day, Francis Perkins Building, Washington, DC, PLANET/OSHA Alliance exhibit booth 200
      April 24, 2007: OSHA, American Society of Safety Engineers Note Major Growth In May's North American Occupational Safety And Health Week Support, Insurance Newsnet Data Not Available
      April 24, 2007: OSHA, American Society of Safety Engineers Note Major Growth In May's North American Occupational Safety And Health Week Support, Quote.com Data Not Available
      April 24, 2007: OSHA, American Society of Safety Engineers Note Major Growth In May's North American Occupational Safety And Health Week Support, PR Newswire Data Not Available
      April 24, 2007: OSHA, American Society of Safety Engineers Note Major Growth In May's North American Occupational Safety And Health Week Support, AEM Consolidated Industry News Network Data Not Available
      May 2007: OSHA's Cooperative Programs – A Proactive Step, PLANET News Data Not Available
      June 6, 2007: Department of Labor Safety Day, Francis Perkins Building, Washington, DC, PLANET/OSHA Alliance exhibit booth 350
      July 2007: Kane News, Kane News Data Not Available
      August 2007: PLANET Participates in DOL Safety Day, PLANET News Data Not Available
      August 24-26, 2007: PLANET Specialty Symposium, Indianapolis, Indiana, PLANET exhibit booth 200
      September 2007: Drug-Free Work Week Fast Approaching, PLANET News Data Not Available
      September 2007: Being Safe Through Partnered Initiatives, PLANET News Data Not Available
      October 27, 2007: Green Industry Conference + EXPO, Louisville, Kentucky, "OSHA Resources and the OSHA and PLANET Alliance"

      Speaker: Ron McGill, then Area Director, Nashville and Frankfort, Kentucky Area Offices, USDOL-OSHA      		 7
      December 2007: Working Together for a Safer Industry, PLANET News Data Not Available
      TOTAL 53,119

  4. Upcoming Milestones

    OSHA and PLANET will sign a renewal agreement to provide large and small landscape industry employers - their employees, particularly youth workers; "hard-to reach;" and non-English, speaking workers - with information and guidance that will help them reduce traumatic injury and death.

    In 2008, through the Alliance, PLANET will complete the development the following landscape industry QuickCards:

    • Gasoline powered cut-off machines
    • Personal protective equipment for mixing chemicals in law care
    • Using small equipment safety in landscaping

    Moreover, PLANET will also develop a harness QuickCard. The QuickCards will be translated into Spanish and posted on PLANET's Web site.

    Further, OSHA and PLANET will continue to update OSHA's Landscape and Horticultural Services Safety and Health Topics page. PLANET members, David Snodgrass, John Rovedo, and PLANET staff member Ilene Manster, will continue to serve as members of the Topics page's editorial board.

    In addition, OSHA Region V and Michigan OSHA representatives will staff an exhibit booth at the 32nd Annual Student Career Days, North Metro Technical College, March 27-30, 2008, in Atlanta, Georgia. PLANET will also invite OSHA to exhibit and speak during its Green Industry Conference + EXPO, October 22-25, 2008, in Louisville, KY.

    Further, PLANET will continue to publish articles in its Front Page News, Safety $ense, and PLANET News on safety and health topics such as OSHA's compliance assistance materials, projects, activities, and safety and health issues that impact the landscape and horticultural services industry.

    Finally, PLANET will continue to work with OSHA to support 2008 NAOSH Week.

Report prepared by: Rob Swick, Program Analyst, Office of Outreach Services Alliances, April 1, 2008