Red Cross - Alliance Annual Report - July 22, 2006

ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
and
The American Red Cross
July 22, 2006

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed

    May 19, 2005

    Overview

    The OSHA and American Red Cross Alliance focuses on preparing employers and employees, including the American Red Cross employees, to respond to disasters, life threatening injuries and emergencies. Through the Alliance, the organizations are providing information, guidance, and access to training resources on safety and health topics including emergency preparedness, disease prevention and first aid in the workplace. These efforts include a focus on individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and youth workers.

    Implementation Team Members

    OSHA

    Sally Grady

    Directorate of Science Technology and Medicine (DSTM)

    Sandra Khan

    Office of Outreach Services and Alliances (OOSA)

    Darla Royal

    DTSM

    Dionne Williams

    Directorate of Enforcement Programs

    Don Wright

    DTSM

    American Red Cross:

    Pat Bonifer

    Director, Research and Product Development

    Dee Cozart

    Sr. Director, Corporate Safety Officer

    Jean Erdtmann

    Director, Products and Health and Safety Services

    Pamela King

    Associate, Community and Marketing

    Steve Rieve

    Director, Program and Product Management/Health and Safety Services

    Keith Robertory

    Manager, Disaster Education

    Evaluation Period

    May 19, 2006 – May 18, 2007

  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    • September 6, 2006 - Meeting, OSHA, Washington, D.C.
    • March 22, 2007 - Meeting, OSHA, Washington, D.C.

    Due to a number of natural disasters in 2006, the Alliance Implementation Team only held two formal meetings. However, the Alliance coordinators from both groups maintained regular contact throughout the reporting period to monitor the Alliance's progress and results.

  3. Results

    1. Events and Products

      Training and Education Goal

      • 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 American Red Cross’ Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry.

        The OSHA and American Red Cross Alliance Implementation Team has not started work on programs or projects to address this goal.

      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 to employers and employees in the industry.

      Products

      OSHA and the American Red Cross Alliance Web Page

      OSHA continues to update its OSHA and the American Red Cross Alliance Web page on the Agency's Web site. The Web page includes links to the OSHA and American Red Cross Alliance agreement, news releases, a photograph of the signing ceremony, activities and events, products and resources, and milestones and successes. For more information on the number of visits to the site, please see the Alliance Program Reach table in the report.

      American Red Cross Web Site

      The American Red Cross posted information and a link on its Web site to the 2nd Annual Emergency Preparedness Conference: Disaster Readiness on the Home Front, October 19-20, 2006 in Washington, D. C. The conference was co-sponsored by OSHA, the American Red Cross and The Joint Commission /Joint Commission Resources (JCR); another Alliance Program participant.

      Print and Electronic Media

      Articles on the OSHA and American Red Cross Alliance appeared in print and online publications, including BNA, Occupational Safety and Health Reporter, OSHA and American Red Cross news releases, and the agency's QuickTakes. For more information on the articles and news releases, please see the Alliance Program Reach table in this report.

      • Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA and the American Red Cross conferences or other events such as the American Red Cross local chapter meetings.

      Events

      American Red Cross Corporate Safety Education Conference, October 13, 2006, Orlando, Florida

      On October 13, 2006, Assistant Secretary Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation at the American Red Cross Corporate Safety Education Conference in Orlando, Florida on the OSHA and American Red Cross Alliance and major OSHA initiatives to 120 attendees.

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

      Events

      "Is Your Worksite an OSHA Best Practice for First Aid Programs?" Web Cast, August 24, 2006

      OSHA and the American Red Cross worked together to develop the content for the Web cast, "Is Your Worksite an OSHA Best Practice for First Aid Programs," conducted on August 24, 2006. Don Wright, M.D., Director, Office of Occupational Medicine, Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine, USDOL-OSHA; and Dionne Williams, Team Leader, Office of Health Enforcement, Directorate of Enforcement Programs; and Jean Erdtmann, Director, Program Management and Field Support, Preparedness and Health and Safety Services, American Red Cross gave a presentation, "Best Practices Guide: Fundamentals of a Workplace First Aid Program," during the Web cast. The Web cast is archived on the Occupational Hazards magazine's Web site for one year.

      "Are you Prepared for Pandemic Flu?" Web Cast, February 6, 2007

      OSHA and the American Red Cross worked together to develop the content for the Web cast, "Are you Prepared for Pandemic Flu?" conducted on February 6, 2007. Amanda Edens, then Director, Office of Chemical Hazards, Directorate of Standards and Guidance, USDOL-OSHA and Jean Erdtmann, Director, Program Management and Field Support, Preparedness and Health and Safety Services, American Red Cross gave presentations on pandemic flu preparedness during the Web cast. The Web cast is archived on the Occupational Hazards magazine's Web site for one year.

      • Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues to increase emergency preparedness and disease prevention education to the workplace and also increase first aid information to individuals with LEP and youth workers.

      Events

      2nd Annual Emergency Preparedness Conference: Disaster Readiness on the Home Front, October 19-20, 2006, Washington, DC

      On October 19-20, 2006, OSHA, the American Red Cross and The Joint Commission/Joint Commission Resources (JCR), another Alliance Program participant, co-sponsored the 2nd Annual Emergency Preparedness Conference: Disaster Readiness on the Home Front at the Renaissance Washington Hotel, Washington, D.C. Opening remarks at the conference were given by Assistant Secretary, Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., USDOL-OSHA, Joseph C. Becker, Senior Vice President for Preparedness and Response, American Red Cross and Joseph Cappiello, Vice President, Accreditation Field Operations, JCAHO. In addition, several OSHA and American Red Cross representatives gave presentations during the conference including, Don Wright, M.D., Director, Office of Occupational Medicine, Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine, USDOL-OSHA and Susan Hamilton, Senior Associate for Disaster Mental Health, American Red Cross. OSHA representatives also staffed an Alliance Program exhibit booth and distributed the agency's compliance assistance resources and information products, including "Best Practices for Hospital-Based First Receivers" and "Principal Emergency Response and Preparedness Requirements and Guidance" to the conference attendees.

      • Encourage American Red Cross chapters to build relationships with OSHA's Regional and Area Offices to increase emergency preparedness and disease prevention education to workplaces and increase first aid information to LEP and youth workers.

      Events

      American Red Cross Chapter's Workplace Seminars

      OSHA representatives continue to provide presentations on a number of safety and health topics including, compressed gas cylinder storage, ergonomic issues, bloodborne pathogens and fire prevention in locations throughout the United States, including Florida, New Mexico, New York and Pennsylvania during American Red Cross Chapter's Workplace Seminars. The seminars were attended by large and small business representatives in the local communities. OSHA's presentations focused on providing information and guidance on the Agency's regulations and standards.

      2007 North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH), May 6-12, 2007

      The American Red Cross joined with OSHA and a number of other Alliance Program participants to support 2007 NAOSH Week, May 6-12, 2007. The Week is sponsored annually by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), an Alliance Program participant, and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering. NAOSH Week focuses on the importance of preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace. The Kick-off Event was held on May 7, 2007 at the US Department of Labor, Frances Perkins Building in Washington, DC. The American Red Cross posted information and a link to the NAOSH Week Web page on the ASSE Web site on its public and internal Web sites.

      Teen Worker Job Safety Campaign: Build a Safe Work Foundation

      Through the Alliance Program, the American Red Cross helped promote the OSHA's 2007 Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign: Build a Safe Work Foundation, by posting information on the Campaign on its public Web site. The Teen Worker Job Safety campaign focuses on youth employed in the construction industry. The national kick-off event was held on April 17, 2007 at the Thomas Edison High School of Technology in Silver Spring, Maryland.

      Products

      Spanish Language Tip Sheets

      The American Red Cross shared its Spanish language tip sheets, including tornado, flood and flash flood, wildfire preparedness, and power outages with OSHA. OSHA added links to the tip sheets on OSHA's Compliance Assistance: Hispanic Employers and Workers page.

      Regional Alliances

      The Association's chapters are continuing to recognize the value of working together with OSHA through the Alliance Program. Alliances have been formed with OSHA Area Officers including, Region V, Peoria, Illinois Area Office and Region III, Allentown and Philadelphia Area Offices. The American Red Cross is continuing to encourage its Chapters to form Regional and Area Office Alliances. In addition, to American Red Cross Chapters forming Alliances, its representatives are developing strong relationships with OSHA's Regional and Area Office representatives through activities such as speaking at local conferences and seminars.

      Promoting the National Dialogue Goals

      • Raise others' awareness of and demonstrate their own commitment to workplace safety and health whenever American Red Cross and OSHA leaders address workplace and business groups.

         

        The OSHA and American Red Cross Alliance Implementation Team has not started work on programs or projects to address this goal.

      • Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings to discuss emergency preparedness, first aid, and disease prevention issues in the workplace.

      Products

      First Aid Advisory Taskforce

      Don Wright, M.D., Director, Office of Occupational Medicine, Directorate of Science, Technology and medicine, USDOL-OSHA continues to serve on the American Red Cross and American Heart Association's First Aid Advisory Taskforce.

    2. Executive Summary

      During the reporting period OSHA and the American Red Cross continued to work together to prepare employers and employees, including American Red Cross employees, on how to respond to disasters, life threatening injuries and emergencies. This positive relationship has led to speaking and exhibiting opportunities and sharing expertise and information products with the public, including:

      • OSHA representatives are providing information on the Agency's regulations and standards at local American Red Cross Chapters' Workplace Education Seminars throughout the United States
      • OSHA and the American Red Cross promoted the Alliance and the agency's cooperative programs and compliance assistance resources through speaking and exhibiting opportunities including the 2nd Annual Emergency Preparedness Conference: Disaster Readiness on the Home Front.
      • OSHA and the American Red Cross worked together to develop two Web casts, "Are you Prepared for Pandemic Flu?" and "Is Your Worksite an OSHA Best Practice for First Aid Programs?" These Web casts had over 4,000 registered attendees.
      • On October 13, 2006, Assistant Secretary Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation at the American Red Cross Corporate Safety Education Conference in Orlando, Florida on the OSHA and American Red Cross Alliance and major OSHA initiatives to 120 attendees.
      Through the Alliance Program, OSHA and the American Red Cross are continuing to work together to share information on safety and health topics including emergency preparedness, disease prevention and first aid in the workplace. These efforts include a focus on individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and youth workers. Some examples include:
      • The American Red Cross shared links to Spanish language tip sheets including, tornado, flood and flash flood, wildfire preparedness and power outages tip sheets. OSHA added a link to the tip sheets on the agency's Compliance Assistance: Hispanic Employers and Workers page.
      • The OSHA and American Red Cross Alliance Web page is updated regularly and includes links to the Alliance agreement, news releases, activities and events and milestones and successes. In addition, the American Red Cross is developing an American Red Cross and OSHA Alliance Web page on the organizations Web site.
      • OSHA representative, Donald Wright, Director, Office of Occupational Medicine serves on the American Red Cross and American Heart Association's First Aid Advisory Taskforce that updates CPR/AED and emergency cardiovascular care guidelines every five years.
      Finally, the American Red Cross continues to encourage its Chapters to form Regional and Area Office Alliances. To date, the American Red Cross and OSHA have signed Alliance agreements with Area Offices in OSHA's Region III and V.

    3. Alliance Program Reach

      Type of Activity (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.) Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
      OSHA and American Red Cross Alliance Web Page 6,396
      August 15, 2006, OSHA and Red Cross to Offer First-Aid Webcast Inside AMI Data not available
      August 24, 2006, "Is Your Worksite an OSHA Best Practice for First Aid Programs?" Web cast 1,000
      September 15, 2006, "Emergency Preparedness Conference Scheduled Next Month" QuickTakes 53,906
      October 13, 2006
      American Red Cross Corporate Safety Education Conference Orlando, Florida
      • Speaking
      		 120
      October 19-20, 2007
      2nd Annual Emergency Preparedness Conference: Disaster Readiness on the Home Front Washington, D.C.
      • Exhibit
      • Speaking
      		 750
      February 6, 2007, "Are you Prepared for Pandemic Flu?" Web cast 1,700
      May 4, 2007, OSHA, ASSE, CSSE and industry groups team up to increase job safety for North American Occupational Safety and Health Week OSHA News Release 69 News Services
      TOTAL 63,872

  4. Upcoming Milestones

    In the upcoming year, OSHA's and the American Red Cross' positive relationship will continue to grow and the Implementation Team will undertake several activities. In addition, OSHA and the American Red Cross have agreed to sign an Alliance renewal agreement in May 2008.

    Through the Alliance, the American Red Cross and OSHA will continue to develop free-of-charge Web casts for 2008 on a number of emergency preparedness topics. In addition, OSHA and the American Red Cross plan to work with the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN), another Alliance Program participant, to develop a Web cast on emergency preparedness, specifically designed for healthcare employees.

    OSHA will also maintain and update the OSHA and American Red Cross Alliance Web page on OSHA's Web site. In addition, the American Red Cross is developing an Alliance page and expects the page to be posted in September 2007.

    The American Red Cross will also join with other Alliance Program participants in supporting the 2008 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week, May 4-10, 2008 and OSHA's Teen Worker Job Safety Campaign.

    The organizations also plan to develop compliance assistance resources for LEP and youth workers, including developing fact sheets in English and Spanish for life guarding, delivery services, fast food production and landscaping. American Red Cross representatives will also begin serving on the editorial pages of OSHA's Safety and Health Topics pages.

    Finally, OSHA representatives will continue to speak at the American Red Cross Chapter's Workplace Education Seminars and form Regional Alliances.

Report prepared by: Sandra Khan, Alliance Coordinator, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, July 23, 2007.