OSHA and Precision Metalforming Association Alliance Close-Out Report

On November 17, 2005, OSHA and the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) formed an Alliance that focused on reducing and preventing exposure to ergonomic hazards and addressing press safety issues such as machine guarding and lockout/tagout to prevent amputations and other injuries in the workplace. The Alliance was renewed on November 29, 2007.

Based on discussions regarding the future of the Alliance, OSHA and PMA agreed to conclude the agreement as of March 14, 2012. A number of successes resulted from OSHA and PMA working together to meet the Alliance's goals. For example:

• PMA revised the "PMA Safety First Training Program" DVD which provides a first-day-on-the-job safety awareness introduction for new employees, temporary workers, and contractors in the metalforming industry.
• PMA developed a number of checklists including:
  • Ergonomics Checklist, this checklist helps evaluate and identify ergonomics-related issues in the workplace.
  • Mechanical Power Presses Checklist, this checklist provides information to help evaluate and identify mechanical power press-related issues in the plant.
  • Lockout/Tagout Checklist, this checklist provides information to help identify potential safety issues commonly found in industrial facilities.
  • General Machine Guarding Checklist, this checklist provides information to help identify potential safety issues commonly found in industrial facilities.
  • Avoid Slips, Trips and Falls, this poster provides safety tips for employees on how to avoid slips, trips and falls in the metalforming industry.
  • Dress for Safety, this poster identifies how employees can dress safely when working around equipment in the metalforming industry.
  • Protect Yourself from Injury, this poster provides safety tips for employees working with machinery in the metalforming industry.
  • Reduce the Risk of Back Injuries, this poster provides safe lifting and packing tips for employees in the metalforming industry.
• PMA participated on the Editorial Review Board regarding the Agency's Machine Guarding and Powered Industrial Trucks Oil and Gas Well Drilling eTools.
• PMA supported North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011.
• OSHA staff participated in a number of events in the metalforming industry including:
• PMA OSHA Compliance Seminar, PMA Headquarters, Independence, Ohio, September 21, 2011.
• PMA OSHA Compliance Seminar, PMA Headquarters, Independence, Ohio, May 25, 2010.
• FABTECH International & AWS Show and METALFORM 2009, McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois, November 15-18, 2009.
• PMA's METALFORM Exposition and Conference, Jefferson Convention Center, Birmingham, Alabama, April 1-3, 2008.

Report Prepared by: Bill Willson, Program Analyst, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, April 15, 2012.