Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA),
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA),
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy's Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace (Working Partners), and
International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Ironworkers (IABSORIW),
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB),
International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), and
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBCJA)

I. Alliance Background

Date Signed

October 12, 2004

Overview

The Alliance members recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer, drug-free and more healthful American workplaces and protect employees' health and safety. As a result, the organizations formed this Alliance to provide members of the IABSORIW , IBB, IUOE and UBCJA and the construction industry with information, guidance and access to training resources that will help them understand the benefits of drug-free workplace programs and protect employees' health and safety. The organizations particularly focus on educating workers on safety and productivity hazards created by the abuse of alcohol and other drugs in the workplace.

Implementation Team Members
 

Evaluation Period

October 12, 2004 through October 11, 2005

II. Implementation Team Meetings*
 

*Each meeting was held at the U.S. Department of Labor's Francis Perkins Building in Washington, DC

III. Results

1. Events and Products
   
   Training and Education
    
   • Work with OSHA, MSHA and Working Partners to provide expertise to develop training and education programs regarding workplace substance abuse and to provide expertise in communicating such information to the construction industry.
   Events
   
   Training and Education Sessions
   
   The Union members each delivered training and/or educational sessions to their constituents and members. Examples include:
    
   • The Ironworkers launched a drug-testing initiative through its IMPACT program. During this reporting period, drug tests were conducted in nine local unions.
   • The Boilermakers continued its drug-testing initiative through its SMART program. During this reporting period, 45,000 drug tests were administered among Boilermaker union members.
   • The Carpenters continued a variety of drug-free workplace training and educational programs across its local unions. For example, the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights promoted workplace drug prevention and conducted approximately 8,000 drug tests.
   • The Operating Engineers began educational efforts among its union members to promote awareness of the impact of substance abuse in the workplace and resources available to address this problem.
   Products
   
   Working Partners Materials
   
   Working Partners online materials (including Supervisor Training and Employee Education slideshows) were reviewed and approved by Alliance members. Consensus is that these materials are appropriate and useful for union members.
   
   Outreach and Communication Goals
    
   • Work with OSHA, MSHA and Working Partners to provide expertise in developing information on safety and health issues related to workplace substance abuse and to provide expertise in developing ways of communicating such information (e.g. print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools and Alliance member Web sites) to the construction industry.
      
     • Educate and inform the Union Alliance members and the construction industry of the availability of OSHA's, MSHA's and Working Partners' electronic assistance tools and resources.
   Products
   
   Working Partners Informational Materials
   
   During the reporting period, Working Partners program and Steps to a Drug-Free Workplace brochures were revised and reprinted to include a worker focus. The brochures have been provided to several Alliance members and have been disseminated at various industry-related conferences. In addition, a poster with the theme, A safe, healthy and drug-free workplace is everyone's business. Thanks for making it yours. was created. Copies of the poster were provided to several Alliance members and several have been disseminated at various industry-related conferences.
   
   OSHA and Drug Free Workplace Alliance Web Page
   
   OSHA developed an OSHA and Drug Free Workplace Alliance Web page on the Agency's Web site. The page includes the OSHA and Drug Free Workplace Alliance agreement, activities and events, and products and resources.
   
   Workplace Substance Abuse Safety and Health Topics Page
   
   OSHA developed and posted the Workplace Substance Abuse Safety and Health Topics Page on its Web site. The page includes information on developing a drug free workplace program, training information or supervisors and employers and federal and state laws that may impact drug free workplace programs. The following Alliance implementation team members are on the Topics page's editorial board:
    
   • Elena Carr, Department of Labor, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy; Washington, DC
   • Renee Tajudeen, Department of Labor, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy; Washington, DC
   • Donald Wright, Director, OSHA Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine, Office of Occupational Medicine; Washington, DC
   Print and Electronic Media
   
   Articles on the Drug Free Workplace Alliance have appeared in a number of print and online publications, including Department of Labor news releases and OSHA's QuickTakes. In addition, information has been published in the following professional journals and the Alliance's participants' newsletter and magazines:
    
   • • Ironworker (2004 edition)
     • Construction Safety News (Spring 2005)
     • EAP Digest (Spring 2005)
     • Professional Miners Program Newsletter (September 2005)
     • International Operating Engineer (February/March 2005)
   • Speak, exhibit or appear at Alliance members' conferences, local meetings or other events.
      
     • Encourage the participating organizations to include drug-free workplace topics on conference and meeting agendas, as appropriate.
   Events
   
   Meetings and Conferences
   
   Alliance members delivered presentations and/or made drug-free workplace materials available at the following conferences, meetings and events:
    
   • • The 15th Annual Safety Exposition of the Construction Safety Council in Rosemont, Illinois, February 15-17, 2005. At the Keynote Session entitled, "Building Drug-Free Workplaces in Construction," on February 15, 2005, Paula O. White, Director, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, USDOL-OSHA; Don Wright, M.D., Director, Office of Occupational Medicine, USDOL-OSHA; Elena Carr, Director, Working Partners and Drug Policy Coordinator, USDOL-ASP; and Alliance participant Emmett Russell, Director, Department of Safety and Health, International Union of Operating Engineers, discussed the goals and planned activities of the Drug-Free Workplace Alliance to promote the benefits of drug-free workplaces.
     • Metal/Non-Metal District meeting.
     • OSHA Consultation Conference in Denver, Colorado, May 2-5, 2005.
     • Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida, May 12-14, 2005.
     • American Industrial Hygiene Association Conference and Expo in Anaheim, California, May 21-26, 2005.
     • Mine Safety and Health Administration State Grantees Meeting in Beckley, West Virginia, May 24-25, 2005.
     • Holmes Safety Association's Joint Mine Safety Meeting in St. Paul, Minnesota, June 6-7, 2005.
     • American Society of Safety Engineers National Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, June 12-15, 2005.
     • Society for Human Resource Management Annual Conference in San Diego, California, June 19-22, 2005.
     • Coal-Gen in San Antonio, Texas, August 17-19, 2005.
     • Voluntary Protection Programs Participants Association Annual Conference in Dallas, Texas, August 22-25, 2005.
     • World Congress on Safety and Health at Work in Orlando, Florida, September 18-25, 2005.
     • National Mine Rescue Competition in Louisville, Kentucky, September 19-23, 2005.
     • Twentieth Annual Conference of Boilermakers National Tripartite Alliance in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, October 11-13, 2005. Also, similar regional tripartite meetings.
     • International Union of Operating Engineers Executive Board Meeting, 2005.
     • International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Ironworkers Mid-Atlantic District Council Meeting.
     • Several Alliance members participated in Construction Users Roundtable (CURT) meetings.
   • Develop and share information among OSHA and MSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding Ironworkers, Boilermakers, Operating Engineers and Carpenters best practices or effective approaches and publicize results through outreach by Alliance members and through Alliance member-developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars and lectures (or any other applicable forum).
     
     No products or resources have been developed to meet this Alliance goal.
      
   • Work with other OSHA Alliance participants on specific issues and projects on drug-free workplace and related issues that are addressed and developed through OSHA's Alliance Program and Working Partners.
     
     No products or resources have been developed to meet this Alliance goal.
   Promoting the National Dialogue on Workplace Safety and Health Goals
    
   • Raise others' awareness of and demonstrate a commitment to drug-free workplaces when Ironworkers, Boilermakers, Operating Engineers and Carpenters leaders address groups, as appropriate.
     
     No products or resources have been developed to meet this Alliance goal.
      
   • Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings to address issues associated with the abuse of alcohol and other drugs to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace.
     
     No products or resources have been developed to meet this Alliance goal.
2. Executive Summary
   
   The Alliance activities and products have facilitated the delivery of the drug-free workplace message to many individuals working in or with the construction industry. In addition, participation in the Alliance has helped build trust and cooperation between government, industry and labor. There has been a significant exchange of ideas among groups committed to improving occupational safety and health through drug-free workplace programs. Finally, a key result of the Alliance is the increased number of union members whose work is performed in environments that a) recognize employees have the right to work in an environment free of the hazards of drug abuse; and b) encourage individuals with substance abuse problems to seek help and return to work as productive members of the workforce.
    
3. Alliance Program Reach

IV. Upcoming Milestones

• Expand the membership in Alliance to include other construction-oriented unions or associations
   
• Further develop training and education materials and/or module for OSHA and MSHA field staff.
   
• Identify and participate in future conferences and meetings.
   
• Identify magazines and Web sites in which to seek further coverage of Alliance activities and messages.
   
• Continue to distribute drug-free workplace brochures and posters.
   
• Recognize the 2006 National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month campaign sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to be held in September. Activities will include participating in a Web cast focused on ways the labor movement embraces and supports the recovery movement and providing information for the campaign's materials to highlight union programs that help make treatment available and recovery possible.
   
• Launch Drug-Free Work Week campaign in 2006 (to be associated with Recovery Month).
   
• Create "best practice" summaries highlighting Alliance member programs.
   
• Engage other OSHA or MSHA Alliances.