SCHC - Alliance Annual Report - January 4, 2008

ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
and
Society for Chemical Hazard Communication (SCHC) Alliance
January 4, 2008

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed

    October 22, 2003

    Date Renewed

    December 5, 2005

    Evaluation Period

    October 22, 2006 ‐ October 21, 2007

    Overview

    OSHA's Alliance with SCHC focuses on providing the organization's members and others, including small businesses, with information, guidance and access to training resources that will help protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to chemical hazards and addressing hazard communication and material safety data sheets (MSDSs) in the workplace. In addition, the Alliance is distributing information and increasing awareness of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.

    Implementation Team Members

    OSHA:

    Jackie Annis
    Directorate of Enforcement (DEP)
    Karen Heckman
    Office of Training and Education
    David O'Connor
    Directorate of Standards and Guidance (DSG)
    Maureen O'Donnell
    DSG
    Lisa Ramber
    Office of Outreach Services and Alliances (OOSA)

    SCHC:

    Ann Brockhaus
    President
    Mark Cohen
    Vice President
    Denise Deeds
    Past President
    David Levine
    Member
    Michele Sullivan
    Chair

  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    December 1, 2006
    Implementation Team Meeting
    March 16, 2007
    Implementation Team Meeting
    June 29, 2007
    Implementation Team Meeting

  3. Results

    1. Events and Products

      Training and Education Goal

      • Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop training and education programs for small business and other employers regarding hazard communication and to provide expertise in communicating such information to employers and employees in the industry.

      Products

      MSDS Writing Course for Small Businesses

      During the reporting period, the members of the OSHA and SCHC Alliance continued developing a course for small businesses on how to write MSDSs.

      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 SCHC's Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry.

      Products

      OSHA's Hazard Communication Safety and Health Topics page

      The OSHA and SCHC Alliance continues to review and provide information for OSHA's Hazard Communication Safety and Health Topics page. The following representative from SCHC serves as a member of the Topics page's editorial board:

      • Michele Sullivan, MRS Associates, Annandale, VA

      OSHA's Making the Business Case for Safety and Health, Safety and Health Topics page

      The OSHA and SCHC Alliance continues to review and provide information for OSHA's Making the Business Case for Safety and Health, Safety and Health Topics page. The following representative from SCHC serves as a member of the Topics page's editorial board:

      • Ann Brockhaus, Consultant, ORC Worldwide, Washington, DC

      OSHA and SCHC Alliance Web Page

      OSHA continues to update the OSHA and SCHC Alliance Web page on OSHA's Web site. The Web page features links to the Alliance agreement and related documents, information on activities and events, and milestones and successes. For information on the number of visits to the OSHA and SCHC Alliance Web page, please see the Alliance Program Reach table.

      SCHC Web Site

      SCHC's Web page on its Web site about the OSHA and SCHC Alliance includes information about the goals of the Alliance and links to OSHA's Alliance Program and hazard communication resources on the Agency's Web site.

      Print and Electronic Media

      Articles on the SCHC's work with OSHA to develop the agency's Making the Business Case for Safety and Health, Safety and Health Topics page appeared in print and online publications, including The Synergist. For more information on the articles, please see the Alliance Program Reach table.

      Info Sheet #1 Pictograms and Info Sheet #2 Flammable (Combustible Liquids)

      Through the Alliance, SCHC developed Info Sheet # 1 Pictograms and Info Sheet #2 Flammable (Combustible) Liquids and provided the documents to OSHA for review and feedback. Info Sheet #1 provides information on the pictograms that are required under the GHS and Info Sheet #2 includes information on the different flammability classifications and the GHS criteria for flammable liquids.

      • Speak, exhibit or appear at OSHA's or SCHC's conferences, local meetings or other events.

      AIHce 2007, June 2-7, 2007, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

      During the conference, Denese Deeds, Past President, SCHC, along with other SCHC representatives in the association's booth, spoke to the attendees about the OSHA and SCHC Alliance.

      SCHC 2007 Fall Meeting, September 18-19, 2007, Arlington, Virginia

      On September 18, 2007, Maureen O'Donnell, Office of Chemical Hazards - Metals, Directorate of Standards and Guidance, USDOL-OSHA made a presentation on the GHS and addressed a number of issues including OSHA's progress regarding the rulemaking to update the agency's Hazard Communication Standard during the SCHC 2007 Fall Meeting in Arlington, Virginia. OSHA representatives also staffed an Alliance Program exhibit booth during the meeting and distributed compliance assistance materials that addressed hazard communication issues and the OSHA and SCHC Alliance.

      On September 19, 2007, Mark Cohen, Vice President, SCHC updated the attendees about the OSHA and SCHC Alliance.

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

      Events

      SCHC 2007 Fall Meeting, September 18-19, 2007, Arlington, Virginia

      As a result of the OSHA and SCHC Alliance, Jackie Annis, Industrial Hygienist, DEP, USDOL-OSHA and David O'Connor, Industrial Hygienist, DSG, USDOL-OSHA attended the SCHC 2007 Fall Meeting in Arlington, Virginia free-of-charge.

      National Safety Council Annual Congress & Expo, October 16, 2007, Chicago, Illinois

      On October 16, 2007, Ann Brockhaus, President, SCHC, spoke on "Global Harmonization - Coming Your Way!" This presentation provided an overview of the goals and anticipated benefits of the GHS, scope and key elements of the system, an overview of selected GHS implementation activities and a review of information resources, including the OSHA Hazard Communication Safety and Health Topics page and the OSHA and SCHC Alliance activities.

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

        During this reporting period, OSHA and SCHC did not work on any projects to address this goal.

      • Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects on hazard communication that are addressed through the Alliance Program.

      Products

      ISSA Hazard Communication Training Program

      Through the Alliance, SCHC reviewed the ISSA's (another Alliance Program participant) Hazard Communication Training Program and provided the association with feedback.

      Promoting the National Dialogue on Workplace Safety and Health Goal

      • Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on hazard communication issues to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.

      Connecticut River Valley Section of American Industrial Hygiene Association Meeting, November 9, 2006, Plantsville, Connecticut

      On November 9, 2006, Denese Deeds, Past President, SCHC, presented "Adopting the GHS - OSHA's ANPR, EU Proposed Legislation" during a meeting of the Connecticut River Valley Section of American Industrial Hygiene Association in Plantsville, Connecticut.

      Control Banding: A Chemical Risk Management Tool for Health and Safety Committees Meeting, November 16, 2006, Hartford, Connecticut

      On November 16, 2006, Denese Deeds, Past President, SCHC, presented "Hazard Communication: Risk Phrases and Global Hazard Communication" during a meeting of the Control Banding: A Chemical Risk Management Tool for Health and Safety Committees in Hartford, Connecticut.

      Control Banding: A Chemical Risk Management Tool for Health and Safety Committees Meeting, January 19, 2007, Farmington, Connecticut

      On January 19, 2007, Denese Deeds, Past President, SCHC, presented "Hazard Communication: Risk Phrases and Global Hazard Communication" during a meeting of the Control Banding: A Chemical Risk Management Tool for Health and Safety Committees in Farmington, Connecticut.

      Control Banding Workshop Follow-up Session, February 1, 2007, Hartford, Connecticut

      On February 1, 2007, Denese Deeds, Past President, SCHC, presented "The Industrial Hygiene/Hazard Communication Professional Perspective on the Future of the GHS and Control Banding" during the Control Banding Workshop Follow-up Session in Hartford, Connecticut.

      SCHC 2007 Spring Meeting, April 25, 2007, San Antonio, Texas

      On April 25, 2007, Mark Cohen, Vice President, SCHC, gave an OSHA and SCHC Alliance update during the SCHC 2007 Spring Meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

    2. Executive Summary

      OSHA and SCHC are continuing to work together through their Alliance agreement to reach out to small business and others to provide resources and increase awareness about hazard communication, MSDSs and the GHS. For example, the OSHA and SCHC Web page on OSHA's Web site provides links to the Alliance agreement, related documents, activities and events, and milestones and successes. SCHC also maintains a Web page on its Web site with information about the Alliance and links to OSHA's Web site.

      Further, representatives from SCHC serve as members of OSHA's Hazard Communication and Making the Business Case for Safety and Health, Safety and Health Topics pages' editorial boards. Through the Alliance, SCHC also reviewed the ISSA's (another Alliance Program participant) Hazard Communication Training Program and provided the association with feedback. In addition, SCHC has developed, and OSHA is reviewing and providing feedback on, Info Sheet # 1 Pictograms and Info Sheet #2 Flammable (Combustible) Liquids.

      OSHA and SCHC representatives also promoted the Alliance and hazard communication awareness during numerous speaking and exhibiting opportunities. For example, Denese Deeds presented "Hazard Communication: Risk Phrases and Global Hazard Communication" to several groups during the reporting period. In addition, Maureen O'Donnell made a presentation on September 18, 2007 about the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) and addressed a number of issues including OSHA's progress regarding the rulemaking to update the agency's Hazard Communication Standard during the SCHC 2007 Fall Meeting in Arlington, Virginia. OSHA representatives also staffed an Alliance Program exhibit booth and distributed compliance assistance materials that addressed hazard communication issues and the OSHA and SCHC Alliance.

    3. Alliance Program Reach

      Type of Activity
      (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.)      		 Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
      OSHA and SCHC Web page on OSHA's Web site 5,000
      SCHC's Web site Data Not Available
      OSHA's Hazard Communication Safety and Health Topics page 20,000
      OSHA's Making the Business Case for Safety and Health, Safety and Health Topics page 20,000
      November 9, 2006 - Connecticut River Valley Section of American Industrial Hygiene Association Meeting, Plantsville, Connecticut

      "Adopting the GHS - OSHA's ANPR, EU Proposed Legislation"

      Speaker: Denese Deeds, Vice President, SCHC      		 150
      November 16, 2006 - Control Banding: A Chemical Risk Management Tool for Health and Safety Committees Meeting, Hartford, Connecticut

      "Hazard Communication: Risk Phrases and Global Hazard Communication"

      Speaker: Denese Deeds, Vice President, SCHC      		 100
      November 22, 2006 - "OSHA and Alliance Launch Safety and Health Web Page," CLEANLINK Data Not Available
      December 2006 - "OSHA Web Site Offers Safety and Health Page," The Synergist Data Not Available
      January 19, 2007 - Control Banding: a Chemical Risk Management Tool for Health and Safety Committees Meeting, Farmington, Connecticut

      "Hazard Communication: Risk Phrases and Global Hazard Communication"

      Speaker: Denese Deeds, Vice President, SCHC      		 50
      February 1, 2007 - Control Banding Workshop Follow-up Session, Hartford, Connecticut

      "The Industrial Hygiene/Hazard Communication Professional perspective on the Future of the GHS and Control Banding"

      Speaker: Denese Deeds, Vice President, SCHC      		 50
      April 25, 2007, SCHC 2007 Spring Meeting, San Antonio, Texas

      "OSHA and SCHC Alliance Program Update"

      Speaker: Mark Cohen, Vice President, SCHC      		 175
      June 2-7, 2007, AIHce 2007, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

      SCHC Exhibit      		 250
      September 18, 2007, SCHC 2007 Fall Meeting, Arlington, Virginia

      "Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)"

      Speaker: Maureen O'Donnell, Office of Physical Hazards & Others, Directorate of Standards and Guidance, USDOL-OSHA      		 200
      September 18, 2007 - SCHC 2007 Fall Meeting, Arlington, Virginia

      Alliance Program Exhibit      		 200
      October 16, 2007 - National Safety Council Annual Congress & Expo, Chicago, Illinois

      "Global Harmonization - Coming Your Way!"

      Speaker: Ann Brockhaus, President, SCHC      		 75
      TOTAL 46,250

  4. Upcoming Milestones

    In the upcoming year, OSHA and SCHC will sign an Alliance renewal agreement to continue to promote the awareness of hazard communication related issues. The Alliance implementation team members will also continue to maintain and update the OSHA and SCHC Alliance Web page on OSHA's Web site and SCHC's Alliance-related Web page on its Web site. In addition, the Alliance implementation team will finalize Info Sheet #1 Pictograms and Info Sheet #2 Flammable (Combustible) Liquids. The Alliance will also complete the MSDS Writing Course for Small Businesses and pilot the course at an OSHA Education Center.

    In addition, representatives from OSHA and SCHC will continue to promote the Alliance and hazard communication issues through speeches and exhibits at meetings such as SCHC's 2008 spring and fall meetings. In addition, SCHC representatives will speak to a wide range of occupational safety and health professionals, including those with hazard communication and control banding responsibilities, about hazard communication and GHS-related issues at meetings and conferences.

    Report prepared by: Lisa Ramber, Alliance Program Team Leader, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, January 4, 2008.