IEC - Alliance Annual Report - August 30, 2009

ALLIANCE ANNUAL REPORT
Occupational Safety and Health Administration and
Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc. (IEC)
August 30, 2009

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed

    August 30, 2002

    Dates Renewed

    April 5, 2004
    October 30, 2006
    December 8, 2008

    Evaluation Period

    August 30, 2008 - August 29, 2009

    Overview

    Through the Alliance, OSHA and IEC will work together to provide IEC members and others in the construction industry with information, guidance, and access to training resources that help them protect employees' health and safety particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to fall and arc flash hazards and addressing electrical and motor vehicle safety issues.

    Implementation Team Members

    OSHA:

    Michael Buchet
    Directorate of Construction (DOC), Office of Construction Services (OCS)
    Eric Lahaie
    Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs (DCSP), Office of Outreach services and Alliances (OOSA)
    Rob Swick
    DCSP, OOSA
    Danezza Quintero
    DOC, OCS
    Elizabeth (Bea) Way
    DCSP, OOSA

    IEC:

    Tom Alexander
    Safety Committee
    Wayne Andrews
    Safety Committee
    Joe Booker Safety
    Committee
    Stephen Borrelli
    Safety Committee
    Bruce Bowman
    Safety Committee
    Kent Davis
    Safety Committee
    Harvey Hammock
    Safety Committee Chairman
    Robert Leohart
    Safety Committee
    Rob Heineman
    Safety Committee
    Harry Lieben
    Safety Committee
    John Masarick
    Director of Workforce Development, Codes & Safety
    Marc Ramirez
    Safety Committee
    Brian Roberts
    Safety Committee
    Dennis Thomas
    Safety Committee
  2. Implementation Team Meetings
    November 19, 2008
    Implementation Team Meeting
    May 19, 2009
    Implementation Team Meeting
    August 7, 2009
    Resource Development Workgroup
  3. Results
    1. Events and Products

      Outreach and Communication

      • 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. print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools and OSHA's and IEC's Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry.

      Products

      OSHA and IEC Alliance Web page

      OSHA is continuing to update the OSHA and IEC Alliance Web page that is posted on the OSHA Web site. The page includes the OSHA and IEC Alliance agreement, renewal agreements, annual reports, news releases, information on activities and events, and links to resources developed by IEC through the Alliance Program.

      IEC Safety-Related Links Page

      IEC continues to maintain a Safety-related links page on its Web site. It provides information about the OSHA and IEC Alliance and links to the OSHA Web site, including the Ergonomics eTool: Solutions for Electrical Contractors, Spanish Compliance Assistance Resources Web page, and Compliance Assistance Quick Start: Construction. In addition, the Safety-related links page features links to resources developed by IEC through the Alliance Program and the Fall Protection Safety Tips Sheets for Employers and Employees, which was developed through the OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable's Fall Protection Workgroup on which IEC representatives participate.

      OSHA Electrical Contractors Industry Safety and Health Topics Page

      The following IEC representatives are continuing to participate on the OSHA Electrical Contractors Industry Safety and Health Topics page's editorial board:

      • Bruce Bowman, PE, Fox Systems, Inc., Calhoun, Georgia
      • John Masarick, Director of Workforce Development, Codes & Safety, IEC, Alexandria, Virginia

      OSHA Electrical Safety and Health Topics Page

      The following IEC representatives are continuing to participate on the OSHA Electrical Safety and Health Topics page's editorial board:

      • William Bruce Bowman, PE, Fox Systems, Inc., Calhoun, Georgia
      • John Masarick, Director of Workforce Development, Codes & Safety, IEC, Alexandria, Virginia

      OSHA Ergonomics eTool: Solutions for Electrical Contractors

      The following OSHA representatives are continuing to participate on the OSHA Ergonomics eTool: Solutions for Electrical Contractors' editorial board:

      • Dominic Caminiti, Hatfield-Reynolds, Phoenix, AZ
      • Todd Hohn, CNA Insurance, Chicago, IL
      • Bob Leonhart, RISC Incorporated, Dallas, TX
      • Renee McDonough, IEC - Utah Chapter, Sandy, UT
      • Brian Roberts, CNA Insurance, Dallas, TX
      • Brad Stevens, Arco Electric, Sandy, UT

      Print and Electronic Media

      Articles on the OSHA and IEC Alliance have appeared in IEC publications such as IEC Connection, IEC Codes and Safety Newsletter, and Insight magazine. For example the last twelve issues of the Codes and Safety Newsletter each included a full page with dedicated news about OSHA. Specific articles included "Waiting on Masarick." For more information about these articles, see the "Alliance Program Reach" table.

      • Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA or IEC conferences, local meetings and other events such as IEC's National Convention and Electric Expo.

      51st Annual IEC National Convention and Electric Expo 2008 Expo, October 29-November 1, 2008, Atlanta, Georgia.

      Jonathon Worrell, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region IV, Atlanta East, Georgia Area Office, USDOL-OSHA; Steve Simmons, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region IV, Atlanta East, Georgia Area Office, USDOL-OSHA; and representatives from the Georgia On-site Consultation Project staffed the IEC Safety Zone Exhibit at the 51st Annual IEC National Convention and Electric Expo in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition, Michael Buchet, Senior Safety and Occupational Health Specialist, Office of Construction Services, Directorate of Construction, USDOL-OSHA, delivered "OSHA for Construction and Cooperative Programs" presentation to 240 attendees.

      During the Expo, OSHA Region IV representatives attended the Basic Safety Training Classes on various topics including fall protection and arc flash.

      IEC, Safety Committee Meeting, May 19, 2009, Washington, DC

      Rob Swick, Program Analyst, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, USDOL-OSHA, presented "Alliance Program Update" to electrical industry safety and health professionals at the IEC Safety Committee Meeting in Washington, DC. In addition, Danezza Quintero, Safety and Occupational Health Specialist, Office of Construction Services, Directorate of Construction, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation "Construction Update" to electrical industry safety and health professionals.

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

      Arc Flash Safety Presentation

      IEC continued to deliver the Arc Flash Safety presentation that was developed through the OSHA and IEC Alliance regarding the updates made to 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S-Electrical Standard. The presentation focuses on topics such as hot work and arc flash. During the reporting period, the presentation was delivered to more than 2,500 people through a number of training sessions at IEC member and non-member companies. In addition, the presentation is posted on IEC's Safety-related links Web page and linked to from the OSHA and IEC Alliance Web page and the Alliance Program Participants Developed Products page on the OSHA Web site

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

      OSHA Challenge Program Administrator

      John Masarick continues to participate as a Challenge Program Administrator. Five IEC members continue to participate in the OSHA Challenge Program.

      Informational Packets

      IEC created a packet of information about OSHA cooperative programs and compliance assistance resources, including the OSHA and IEC Alliance Activities Summary and the Small Business Handbook. IEC distributed the packets to both potential and new IEC members.

      • Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects regarding falls, rear-end auto collisions, and material-handling hazards that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.

      OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable and Joint Meeting of the Fall Protection and Design for Safety Workgroups

      On September 18, 2008, John Masarick joined representatives from the following Alliances participated in the Joint Fall Protection and Design for Safety and Workgroup Meeting:

      • American Industrial Hygiene Association
      • American Society of Safety Engineers
      • Concrete Sawing and Drilling Association
      • Laborers' Health and Safety Fund of North America
      • National Association of Homebuilders
      • National Construction Safety Executives
      • National Fire Protection Association
      • National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
      • National Safety Council
      • Sealant Waterproofing and Restoration Institute
      • Scaffolding Industry Association

      During the meeting, the group discussed common construction-related interests and further refined the promising project ideas developed at the January 2008 Alliance Program Construction Roundtable. The group received updates on the "Design for Construction Safety 2-4 Hour Course," Design for Construction Safety Web Site, and the OSHA 10-Hour Outreach Training Program for Design Engineers. The group also reviewed and provided feedback on the draft "Prevention of Fall Fatalities and Injuries in Construction" slide presentation, received an update on the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) Prevention Through Design (PtD) initiative, and discussed a White Paper on a proposed national public awareness outreach campaign focusing on fatalities in the construction industry. Further, the group formed two new subgroups. The first subgroup will focus on strains/sprains and material handling. The second subgroup will develop case studies and success stories related to design for safety and falls in construction industry.

      In addition, on February 24, 2009, John Masarick joined representatives from the following Alliances participated in the Joint Fall Protection and Design for Safety and Workgroup Meeting:

      • American Fire Sprinkler Association
      • American Industrial Hygiene Association
      • American Pipeline Contractors Association
      • American Society of Safety Engineers
      • Concrete Sawing and Drilling Association
      • Laborers' Health and Safety Fund of North America
      • National Association of Homebuilders
      • National Construction Safety Executives
      • National Fire Protection Association
      • National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
      • Sealant Waterproofing and Restoration Institute
      • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

      During the meeting, the group discussed common construction-related interests and received updates on outreach campaigns, including the American Society of Safety Engineer's (ASSE) 2009 North American Occupational Safety and Health Week and the Department of Labor's Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign. The group also received an update from OSHA's Directorate of Construction (DOC), including information on the Advisory Committee for Construction Safety and Health meeting, Susan Harwood Training Grants and OSHA proposed rules, such as the Cranes and Derricks and Confined Space in Construction. DOC also provided an update on the construction-related products being developed such as QuickCards and guidance documents focusing on skylights, night work and electrical safety. ASSE provided an update on the Design for Safety 2-4 Hour Course, the posting of the "Prevention of Fall Fatalities and Injuries in Construction" slide presentation and an upcoming "Safety in Design" Webinar to be offered in July 2009. The "Strains, Sprains and Material Handling" Subgroup provided a draft copy of the "Prevention of Strains, Sprains and Material Handling Injuries in Construction" slide presentation and the "Strains and Sprains Prevention Toolbox Safety Talk" for the group to review and provide feedback. The Subgroup also provided draft copies of the material handling-related safety tips sheets for review and feedback. The "Case Study and Success Story" Subgroup provided draft copies on case studies focusing on designing for safety when working around skylights and parapets. NIOSH presented an update on the Agency's Prevention Through Design (PtD) initiative and how the Roundtable can help support the concept. An overview of a proposed campaign focusing design for safety (DFS) and fall protection issues in the construction industry was presented as a possible future Roundtable project. Lastly, OSHA provided an overview of the Agency's Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP), including information about a program changes and two new ways to participate in VPP: Mobile Workforce and Corporate.

      2009 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week, May 3-9, 2009, Washington, DC.

      On May 4, 2009, Acting Assistant Secretary Jordan Barab, USDOL-OSHA, spoke to OSHA staff, Alliance Program participants and other safety and health professionals during the 2009 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week kick-off event at the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C. Sponsored annually by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), an Alliance Program participant, and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, the Week focuses on the importance of preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace. The theme for the 2009 NAOSH Week was "Safety Means Always Coming Home." John Masarick and Katherine O'Grady attended the event and represented IEC, which along with a number of other Alliance Program participants supported the Week. In addition, the event featured an Alliance Program participant panel with a presentation by John Masarick and presentations from Alliance Program Participants American Heart Association, ASSE, and National Safety Council focusing on workplace safety and health issues.

      • Encourage IEC's chapters to build relationships with OSHA's Regional and Area Offices to address health and safety issues, including, falls, rear-end auto collisions, and material-handling hazards.

      Regional Alliances

      The following OSHA Regional and Area Offices and IEC Chapter Alliances were signed or were in effect during the reporting period:

      OSHA Region VI Dallas, Texas Area Office and the IEC Dallas Chapter Alliance, signed May 14, 2009

      OSHA and IEC Dallas Chapter are providing IEC employees and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources in order to help protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to electrical, fall, confined space entry, toxic substance(s), and struck-by hazards.

      State of Maryland, Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Maryland Occupational Safety and Health and the IEC Chesapeake Chapter Alliance, signed July 8, 2004.

      Maryland OSHA and IEC Chesapeake Chapter are using their collective expertise to help protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to electrical hazards.

    2. Executive Summary

      Through the Alliance Program, OSHA and IEC are continuing to work together to develop products and resources to protect electrical contractors employees from exposure to falls, rear-end auto collisions and material-handling hazards. This positive relationship has led to the development of the many programs and projects that the team is currently working on or has produced. For example:

      • IEC delivered the Arc Flash Safety Presentation regarding the updates made to 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S-Electrical Standard that was developed through the OSHA and IEC Alliance to more than 2500 people during a number of training sessions.
      • IEC representatives continue to participate in the Design for Safety and Fall Protection Workgroups of the OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable.
      • OSHA representatives participated in the 51st Annual IEC National Convention and Electric Expo 2008.
      • IEC joined with other Alliance Program participants and OSHA to support 2009 NAOSH Week.
      • IEC promoted the activities of the OSHA and IEC Alliance and OSHA's compliance assistance resources and cooperative programs through articles in its publications Insights magazine, Connection and Codes & Safety.
      • The association's chapters are continuing to recognize the value of working together with OSHA through the Alliance Program and are implementing agreements with OSHA's Regions and Area Offices and State Plan States addressing a number of safety and health issues and hazards, including electrical, fall, confined space entry, toxic substance(s), and struck-by hazards.
      • An IEC representative serves as a Challenge Program Administrator.
    3. Alliance Program Reach
      Type of Activity (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.) Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
      OSHA and IEC Alliance Web page on the OSHA Web site 6,900
      OSHA Ergonomics eTool: Solutions for Electrical Contractors 8,686
      OSHA Electrical Safety and Health Topics page 12,030
      OSHA Assistance for the Electrical Contractors Industry Safety and Health Topics page 4,321
      IEC Safety-Related Links page on the IEC Web site Data not Available
      Arc Flash Safety Presentation downloads from the IEC Safety-Related Links page 2,500
      October 30, 2008: 51st Annual IEC National Convention and Electric Expo 2008, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia.
      Speaker: Michael Buchet, Senior Safety and Occupational Health Specialist, Office of Construction Services, USDOL-OSHA, presented "OSHA for Construction and Cooperative Programs."      		 240
      December 2008: "Alliance Program FY08 Outreach Exhibits and Speaker Engagement Activities," Alliance Quarterly Review 300
      December 12, 2008: "OSHA And Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc. Renew Alliance Which Developed Resources on the Agency's Electrical Standard," OSHA News Release 69 News Agencies
      December 12, 2008: "OSHA and Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc. Renew Alliance Which Developed Resources on the Agency's Electrical Standard," Workplace Safety News Data not Available
      December 15, 2008: "OSHA Renews Alliance with IEC," QuickTakes 55,226
      December 15, 2008: "Association Offers Resources on OSHA's Electrical Standard," Industrial Safety & Hygiene News Data not Available
      December 15, 2008: "OSHA and IEC Renew Alliance That Developed Resources on the Agency's Electrical Standard," Environmental Resource Center Data not Available
      December 16, 2008: "IEC Renews OSHA Alliance, Develops Arc Flash Safety Presentation," Occupational Health & Safety Magazine Data not Available
      December 17, 2008: "IEC Renews OSHA Alliance, Develops Arc Flash Safety," Compliance Home - OSHA News Data not Available
      December 21, 2008: "IEC, OSHA Offer Resources on OSHA's Electrical Standard," Facilities Management News Data not Available
      December 26, 2008: "U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA Forms Alliance with Electrical Contractors' Association and the Construction Safety Council of Greater Chicago," Topix.Net OSHA News Data not Available
      December 26, 2008: "OSHA and Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc. Renew Alliance which Developed Resources on the Agency's Electrical Standard," Compliance Home - OSHA News Data not Available
      December 26, 2008: "OSHA and Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc. Renew Alliance which Developed Resources on the Agency's Electrical Standard," CCH NetNews Data not Available
      December 30, 2008: "IEC, OSHA Renew Alliance," EPC Zone - Industry News Data not Available
      January 29, 2009: "OSHA and Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc. Renew Alliance Which Developed Resources on the Agency's Electrical Standard," Electrical Contracting Products - Industry News Data not Available
      February 2009: "A Glance at OSHA Cooperative Programs," IEC Codes & Safety Newsletter Data not Available
      May 19, 2009: IEC Safety Committee Meeting, The Hamilton Crowne Plaza, Washington, DC.
      Speaker: Rob Swick, Program Analyst, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, USDOL-OSHA, presented "Alliance Program Update."      		 15
      May 19, 2009: IEC Safety Committee Meeting, The Hamilton Crowne Plaza, Washington, DC.
      Speaker: Danezza Quintero, Safety and Occupational Health Specialist, Office of Construction Services, Directorate of Construction, USDOL-OSHA, presented "Construction Update."      		 15
      TOTAL 132,614
  4. Upcoming Milestones

    Through the OSHA and IEC Alliance, IEC plans to develop the following compliance assistance resources with input and participation from industry and OSHA representatives:

    • Fleet Safety Written Program
    • Fleet Safety Checklist Pocket Card
    • Resources that Address Temporary Lighting
    • NFPA 70E 2010 Revision Fact Sheet
    • 240/120 Volt Single Phase Electrical Work Safety Program
    • 600 Volt Three Phase or Less Electrical Work Safety Program

    In addition, IEC will continue participate on the Alliance Program Construction Roundtable's Design for Safety and Fall Protection Workgroups. IEC representatives will also continue to serve on the editorial boards for OSHA's Electrical and Electrical Contractors Safety and Health Topics pages' and Ergonomics eTool: Solutions for Electrical Contractors and will review and provide comments on the resources.

    IEC will continue to promote OSHA compliance assistance materials and cooperative programs and the OSHA and IEC Alliance through the IEC Web site and articles in its monthly publication Insights and its eNewsletters, Connection and Safety and Codes. Further, IEC will include OSHA publications and the OSHA and IEC Alliance Activities Summary in membership packets for new members. OSHA will promote in the Alliance Quarterly Review the products IEC promotes through the Alliance.

    IEC will support and promote the 2010 NAOSH Week and OSHA will participate in the 52nd Annual IEC National Convention and Electric Expo, Georgia World Congress Center, October 21-24, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri.

    Report prepared by: Rob Swick, Program Analyst, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, September 28, 2008.