ERC - Alliance Annual Report - October 13, 2008

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
and the
Integrated Waste Services Association (IWSA)

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed

    October 13, 2005

    Date Renewed

    November 27, 2007

    Evaluation Period

    October 13, 2007 - October 12, 2008

    Overview

    The OSHA and IWSA Alliance focuses on providing IWSA's members and others, including small businesses, with information, guidance, and access to training resources that help them protect employees' health and safety associated with the management of municipal solid waste, especially related to hauler safety. In particular, OSHA and IWSA promote the annual Hauler Safety Campaign: "Safety – Do It for Life." Further, OSHA and IWSA work together to reduce and prevent exposure to electrical hazards in waste to energy facilities.

    Implementation Team Members

    OSHA:

    Lee Anne Jillings*
    Office of Outreach Services and Alliances (OOSA)
    Rob Swick
    OOSA

    IWSA:

    Justin August
    Covanta Energy
    Kent Baughn
    Wheelabrator Technologies
    Beth Hurley
    Covanta Energy
    Jay Lehr
    Veolia ES Waste-to-Energy, Inc
    Ted Michaels
    IWSA
    Ira McNeil
    IWSA
    Leah Greene
    Veolia ES Waste-to-Energy, Inc
    David Smith
    Wheelabrator Technologies

    * Lee Anne Jillings participated on the Implementation team until August 18, 2008.

  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    February 26, 2008
    Implementation Team Meeting
    May 1, 2008
    Hauler Safety Campaign Workgroup
    July 16, 2008
    Implementation Team Meeting

  3. Results

    1. Events and Products

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

      Products

      Hauler Safety Campaign Promotional Materials

      Through the OSHA and IWSA Alliance, IWSA developed Spanish versions of its tipping floor safety tips sheets and pocket cards along with campaign promotional posters. Copies of these materials are also posted, in both English and Spanish, on the IWSA Web site and linked to from the OSHA and IWSA Web page on the OSHA Web site.

      OSHA Powered Industrial Truck eTool

      Through the Alliance Program, IWSA provided input into the development of the OSHA Powered Industrial Truck eTool. John Boutin of Covanta Energy joined OSHA and representatives from seven other Alliance Program participants, including the Industrial Truck Association; Association of Equipment Manufactures; ADSC, International Association of Foundation Drilling; Altec Industries, Inc.; American Foundry Society; American Forest and Paper Association and Pulp and Paper Safety Association; and Precision Metalforming Association to create the eTool. The eTool, which focuses on forklifts commonly used in general industry, provides a review of potential hazards and a summary of key OSHA requirements and industry-recommended practices for forklift operations. It includes four modules:

      • examining the types of forklifts
      • safe operating practices
      • workplace conditions affecting operation
      • operator training

      The eTool was posted on the OSHA Web site in September 2008.

      OSHA Confined Spaces Safety and Health Topics page

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

      • Justin August, Industrial Hygienist, Covanta Energy; Fairfield, NJ
      • Beth Hurley, Vice President of Health and Safety, Covanta Energy; Fairfield, NJ
      • John Leardini, Safety Manager, Covanta Energy; Fairfield, NJ

      OSHA Lead Safety and Health Topics page

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

      • Justin August, Industrial Hygienist, Covanta Energy; Fairfield, NJ
      • Beth Hurley, Vice President of Health and Safety, Covanta Energy; Fairfield, NJ
      • John Leardini, Safety Manager, Covanta Energy; Fairfield, NJ

      OSHA and IWSA Alliance Web Page

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

      IWSA and OSHA Alliance Web page

      IWSA maintains an OSHA and IWSA Alliance Web page on its Web site. The page has information on the OSHA and IWSA Alliance and links to the OSHA Web site. In addition, the page features links to resources developed by IWSA through the Alliance Program including tipping floor safety cards and hauler safety campaign promotional posters. Further, during the reporting period, IWSA added the following Department of Labor-developed articles:

      • OSHA's Electronic Resources
      • OSHA's Standards Interpretation Letters
      • A Safe Workplace is a Drug-Free Workplace
      • Hispanic Worker Outreach: OSHA Can Help!
      • Workplace Violence: Training Young Workers in Preventive Strategies
      • OSHA Challenge

      Also added to the Web page during the reporting period was a slide presentation entitled "OSHA's SHARP Program: An Alternative to VPP for Small Employers," which was developed by IWSA and provides detailed information about the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).

      Publications and Newsletters

      Information and news releases on the OSHA and IWSA Alliance and its activities appeared in print and electronic publications such as Safety Online and QuickTakes. For more information on the articles, see the "Alliance Program Reach" table.

      • Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or IWSA's conferences, local meetings, or other events, such as the North American Waste to Energy Conference and the annual IWSA Health and Safety Seminar.

      Events

      North American Waste-to-Energy Conference, May 19-21, 2008, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

      Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., then-Assistant Secretary, USDOL-OSHA, gave the keynote presentation entitled "OSHA Adds Value to Business, Work and Life" to 300 waste to energy professionals at the North American Waste-to-Energy Conference on May 19, 2008, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In addition, on May 20, 2008, Lee Anne Jillings, then-Director, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation entitled "OSHA's Compliance Assistance and Industry Issues Update" to 75 waste-to-energy professionals.

      Wheelabrator's 5th Annual Contractor Safety Summit, November 27, 2007, Providence, Rhode Island

      Maryann Medeiros, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region I, Providence, Rhode Island Area Office, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation entitled "Industrial Health and Health Items Related to Contracted Work" to 65 waste-to-energy professionals at the Wheelabrator's 5th Annual Contractor Safety Summit on November 27, 2007, in Providence, Rhode Island.

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

      Events

      Hauler Safety Campaign – Safety: Do It for Life

      For the third consecutive year, IWSA administered the Hauler Safety Campaign – Safety: Do It for Life through the OSHA and IWSA Alliance. The purpose of the Hauler Safety Campaign is to educate public and private waste haulers, municipal and private owners and operators, and facility employees about health and safety best practices to ensure a safe and healthy workplace. The campaign encourages the men and women who haul and dispose of solid waste to make safety an integral part of their work.

      During June 2008, IWSA representatives distributed a variety of materials in both English and Spanish at more than 60 waste-to-energy facilities nationwide. Materials distributed included tipping floor safety tips sheets, pocket cards and promotional stickers and posters, all of which were developed by IWSA through the OSHA and IWSA Alliance. Copies of the materials were also posted on the IWSA Web site and linked to from the OSHA and IWSA Web page on the OSHA Web site.

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

      Products

      Challenge to Excellence Article

      The July 11, 2008, IWSA Weekly Update newsletter included the DOL-developed article "Challenge to Excellence." The article describes how OSHA Challenge allows businesses and other organizations to implement safety and health management systems at their own pace and received recognition from OSHA for their accomplishments.

      Promoting the National Dialogue on Workplace Safety and Health Goal

      • Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on waste-to-energy worker safety and health issues, waste hauler health and safety issues, and contractor health and safety issue, to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.

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

      On May 5, 2008, Deputy Assistant Secretary Donald Shalhoub, USDOL-OSHA spoke to OSHA staff, Alliance Program participants and other safety and health professionals during the 2008 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 2008 NAOSH Week was "Safety is Good Business." The OSHA and IWSA Alliance, along with a number of other Alliance Program participants, supported the Week.

    2. Executive Summary

      During the OSHA and IWSA Alliance's third year, the organizations maintained a very productive working relationship and renewed the OSHA and IWSA Alliance agreement for an additional two years. Moreover, OSHA continued to learn more about the solid waste industry and IWSA learned more about the compliance assistance resources and cooperative programs that the Agency has developed. During June 2008, IWSA representatives distributed a variety of materials in both English and Spanish at more than 60 waste-to-energy facilities nationwide. Materials distributed included tipping floor safety tips sheets, pocket cards and promotional stickers and posters all of which were developed by IWSA through the OSHA and IWSA Alliance. Copies of the materials were also posted on the IWSA Web site and linked to from the OSHA and IWSA Web page on the OSHA Web site.

      In addition, OSHA and IWSA representatives are sharing their expertise through participation on OSHA's electronic assistance tools' editorial boards and speaking opportunities, including:

      • An IWSA member is assisted in the development of the OSHA Powered Industrial Truck eTool.
      • IWSA members serve on the editorial board for the OSHA Confined Spaces Safety and Health Topics Page.
      • IWSA members serve on the editorial board for the OSHA Lead Safety and Health Topics Page.
      • Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., then-Assistant Secretary, USDOL-OSHA, gave the keynote presentation entitled "OSHA Adds Value to Business, Work and Life" to 300 waste to energy professionals at the North American Waste-to-Energy Conference on May 19, 2008, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
      • Lee Anne Jillings, then-Director, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, USDOL-OSHA, and IWSA representatives gave a presentation entitled "OSHA's Compliance Assistance and Industry Issues Update" to 75 waste-to-energy at the North American Waste-to-Energy Conference on May 20, 2008. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
      • Maryann Medeiros, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region I, Providence, Rhode Island Area Office, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation entitled "Industrial Health and Health Items Related to Contracted Work." to 65 waste to energy professionals at the Wheelabrator's 5th Annual Contractor Safety Summit on November 27, 2007, in Providence, Rhode Island.

    3. Alliance Program Reach

      Type of Activity (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic
      Distribution, etc.)      		 Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
      OSHA and IWSA Page site on the OSHA Web site 22,644
      IWSA and OSHA Web page on IWSA's Web site Data Not Available
      OSHA Confined Spaces Safety and Health Topics Page 89,323
      OSHA Lead Safety and Health Topics Page 66,662
      May 19, 2007: North American Waste-to-Energy Conference, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
      .
      Speaker: Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., then-Assistant Secretary, USDOL-OSHA, USDOL-OSHA, presented "OSHA Adds Value to Business, Work and Life."      		 300
      May 20, 2007: North American Waste-to-Energy Conference, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
      .
      Speaker: Lee Anne Jillings, then-Director, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, USDOL-OSHA, presented "OSHA's Compliance Assistance and Industry Issues Update."      		 75
      December 6, 2007: "OSHA and Integrated Waste Services Association Renew Alliance," OSHA News Release 69 News Agencies
      December 6, 2007: "OSHA and Integrated Waste Services Association Renew Alliance," Safety Online Data not Available
      December 15, 2007: Latest Alliance Program Update," QuickTakes 55,226
      December 13, 2007: "OSHA Renews Alliance with Integrated Waste Services Assoc.," ThomasNet - Industrial NewsRoom Data Not Available
      March 2008: "OSHA Alliances," OSHA Up To Date 62 News Agencies
      July 11, 2009: "Challenge to Excellence," Weekly Update Data not Available
      September 2008: "Alliance Program Participants
      Contribute to New OSHA eTools," Alliance Quarterly Review      		 300
      TOTAL 234,661

  4. Upcoming Milestones

    In May 2009, IWSA will administer the Hauler Safety Campaign – Safety: Do It for Life through the OSHA and IWSA Alliance. The purpose of the Hauler Safety Campaign is to educate public and private waste haulers, municipal and private owners and operators, and facility employees about health and safety best practices to ensure a safe and healthy workplace. The campaign will encourage the men and women who haul and dispose of solid waste to make safety an integral part of their work. IWSA representatives will distribute a variety if materials in both English and Spanish at waste to energy facilities nationwide.

    In addition, the OSHA and IWSA Alliance Implementation Team will develop resources that address high voltage electrical energy hazards and treatment. For example, one proposed fact sheet will address what can be done to mitigate injury for someone who has been burned by a high voltage shock.

    IWSA representatives will continue to serve on the Lead and Confined Spaces Safety and Health Topics page's editorial boards and support NAOSH Week. Moreover, IWSA has invited Steven F. Witt, Director, DCSP, to give a presentation at the North American Waste-to-Energy Conference, Chantilly, Virginia on May 19, 2009.

    Further, IWSA will continue to promote OSHA compliance assistance materials and outreach resources and the OSHA and IWSA Alliance through its weekly e-newsletter, Weekly Update. Finally, OSHA will also promote the products the Alliance produces in the Alliance Quarterly Review and through sending information on the products to OSHA's Regional, Area Office, and On-site Consultation Program and State Plan State representatives.

    The organizations will discuss whether to renew the OSHA and IWSA Alliance agreement for an additional two years. OSHA and IWSA anticipate that through a renewal agreement, the organizations will work together to provide IWSA's members and others, including small businesses, with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety associated with the management of municipal solid waste, especially related to hauler safety.

     

    Report prepared by: Rob Swick, Program Analyst, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, February 23, 2009