IEC - Alliance Annual Report - December 6, 2010

ALLIANCE ANNUAL REPORT
Occupational Safety and Health Administration and
Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc. (IEC)
December 6, 2010

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed

    August 30, 2002

    Dates Renewed

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

    Evaluation Period

    August 30, 2009 - August 29, 2010

    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
    *****Bill Willson
    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

    *Michael Buchet served on the Implementation Team until January 2010.
    **Eric Lahaie served on the Implementation Team until January 2010.
    ***Robert Swick served on the Implementation Team until January 2010.
    ****Elizabeth (Bea) Way served on the Implementation Team until January 2010.
    *****Bill Willson joined the Implementation Team in January 2010.

  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    March 17, 2010
    Implementation Team Meeting
    May 4, 2010
    Implementation Team Meeting
    August 12, 2010
    Implementation Team Meeting

    In addition to these formal meetings, the Alliance coordinators from both groups maintained regular contact throughout the reporting period to monitor the Program's progress and results.

  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. During the reporting period additional safety and health information was added to the Web page such:

      • 2010 NAOSH Week
      • "Electrical Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution" eTool

      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 eTool: Electrical Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution and the Jobsite Safety Handbook - 4th Edition. In addition, the page contains links to safety and health related information such as:

      • OSHA to Partner with Building Inspectors
      • OSHA Will Require Safety Training to be Offered in Language Workers Will Understand
      • OSHA Announces Informal Public Hearings on Hazard Communication Rule
      • Monthly Toolbox Talks

      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 a three part series "OSHA's Top 10 Electrical Violations: Toolbox Meetings for the Construction Industry." 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.

      52nd Annual IEC National Convention and Electric Expo 2008 Expo, October 21-24, 2009, St. Louis, Missouri

      David Keim and Bob Robles, Compliance Assistance Specialists, Region VII, St. Louis Area Office, USDOL-OSHA, staffed the IEC Safety Zone Exhibit at the 52nd Annual IEC National Convention and Electric Expo in St. Louis, Missouri. In addition, Danezza Quintero, Safety and Occupational Health Specialist, DOC, USDOL-OSHA, delivered an "OSHA for Construction and Cooperative Programs" presentation to 75 attendees. Lastly, OSHA Region VII representatives attended the Basic Safety Training Classes on various topics including fall protection and arc flash.

      Green Jobs: Safety and Health Outlook for Workers and Small Employers Forum, April 1, 2010, Washington, DC

      John Masarick and Mervin Munoz attended the Forum at the Department of Labor on April 1, 2010. The Forum included information on: OSHA’s green job efforts and discuss workplace hazards associated with green jobs. Information on green processes and technologies that are incorporated into the construction, energy, and waste management and recycling industries. Opportunities and challenges posed by green jobs and consider best practices and strategies for small businesses in reducing safety and health hazards associated with green jobs.

      • 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 1,000 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 Listens, May 4, 2010, Washington, DC

      On May 4, 2010, John Masarick joined other Alliance Program participants to discuss the status of the Agency's cooperative programs. During the discussion John reported that IEC finds value in working with OSHA through the Alliance 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, November 19, 2010, Department of Labor, Washington, DC

      On November 19, 2010 Wayne Andrews joined representatives from 11 additional Alliances participated in the Alliance Program Construction Roundtable at the Department of Labor in Washington, DC. During the meeting, the group discussed common construction-related interests and further refined the promising project ideas developed at the November 2009 Alliance Program Construction Roundtable. The group received regulatory and compliance assistance updates from OSHA staff, as well as updates on the completed Safety Tips Sheets on strains/sprains and material handling.

      In addition, on August 17, 2010, John Masarick participated in a conference call with Barney Lawrence, OOSA Compliance Assistance Coordinator, Brett Besser, Ergonomist, SLTC, and Bryan Roberts to discuss the status of the draft Safety Tips Sheets documents.

      2010 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week, May 2-8, 2010

      The IEC and a number of other Alliance Program participants supported 2010 NAOSH Week. 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 2010 was Mission NAOSH 2010: Safe Workplaces. To help support the Week, IEC disseminated information about 2011 NAOSH Week to their membership and linked the IEC Alliance Web page to the 2011 NAOSH Web page on the ASSE Website. In addition, IEC provided safety and health information/materials that were included in the packets that were distributed to the attendees.

      • 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 State of Maryland, Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Maryland Occupational Safety and Health and the IEC Chesapeake Chapter Alliance

    2. Excutive 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 1,000 people during a number of training sessions.
      • IEC representatives continue to participate in the OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable.
      • IEC joined with other Alliance Program participants and OSHA to support 2010 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.
      • OSHA representatives participated in the 52nd Annual IEC National Convention and Electric Expo 2009.

    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 1,996
      OSHA Ergonomics eTool: Solutions for Electrical Contractors 10,920
      OSHA Electrical Safety and Health Topics page 6,552
      OSHA Assistance for the Electrical Contractors Industry Safety and Health Topics page 6,496
      IEC Safety-Related Links page on the IEC Web site Data not Available
      Arc Flash Safety Presentation taught by IEC presenters 1,000
      Arc Flash Safety Presentation downloads from the IEC Safety-Related Links page 5,000
      October 23, 2009: 52nd Annual IEC National Convention and Electric Expo 2009, St. Louis Convention Center, St. Louis, Missouri. Speaker: Vanessa Quintero, Safety and Occupational Health Specialist, Office of Construction Services, USDOL-OSHA, presented "OSHA for Construction and Cooperative Programs." 160
      February 23, 2009: "AMERICAN SOCIETY OF SAFETY ENGINEERS, OSHA, TO LOOK AT WORK SAFETY SYSTEMS DURING ANNUAL NORTH AMERICAN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH (NAOSH) WEEK," Daily Fleet Data not Available
      March 5, 2010: "OSHA Listens: Stakeholders Weigh in on VPP, Alliance Programs," EHS Today Data not Available
      March 2010: "Part One - OSHA's Top 10 Electrical Violations: Toolbox Meetings for the Construction Industry," IEC's Insights 7,000
      April 19, 2010: "ISSA Joins with ASSE and OSHA to PromoteWork Safety during NAOSH WEEK this May," ISSAlert Data not Available
      April 2010: "Part Two - OSHA's Top 10 Electrical Violations: Toolbox Meetings for the Construction Industry," IEC's Insights 7,000
      May June 2010: "Part Three - OSHA's Top 10 Electrical Violations: Toolbox Meetings for the Construction Industry," IEC's Insights 7,000
      TOTAL 53,124

  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:

    • 240/120 Volt Single Phase Electrical Work Safety Program
    • Subpart S Fact Sheet (revised)
    • Safety Tips Sheets
      • Strains, Sprains and Material Handling for Employers
      • Strains, Sprains and Material Handling for Workers

    In addition, IEC will continue participate in the OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable. 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 2011 NAOSH Week, OSHA's Distracted Driving Initiative and OSHA will participate in the 53rd Annual IEC National Convention and Electric Expo, Phoenix Convention Center, October 26-29, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona.

    Finally, OSHA and IEC plan to renew the Alliance in 2011.

    Report prepared by: Bill Willson, Program Analyst, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, December 15, 2010.