SIA - Alliance Annual Report - February 25, 2009

ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
and the
Scaffold Industry Association, Inc. (SIA)
February 25, 2009

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed

    February 25, 2008

    Evaluation Period

    February 25, 2008 - February 24, 2009

    Overview

    The OSHA and SIA Alliance focuses on providing SIA's members, and others in the construction industry, with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will focus on reducing safety and health hazards associated with the use of mast climbing scaffolding and aerial lift equipment. In particular, the Alliance addresses reducing and preventing exposure to fall and caught-in-between hazards.

    Implementation Team Members

    OSHA:

    • Michael Buchet Office of Construction Services (OCS)
    • Eric Lahaie Office of Outreach Services and Alliances (OOSA)
    • Rob Swick OOSA
    • Elizabeth (Bea) Way OOSA
    • Danezza Quintero Directorate of Construction

     

    IWSA:

    • Bill Breault Breault Industrial Group, Inc.
    • Dave Glabe DH Glabe & Associates, Inc.
    • Kevin O'Shea Mastclimbers LLC
    • John Miller The Millstone Companies
    • Jeff Stachowiak Sunbelt Rentals
    • Laurie Weber SIA
  2. Implementation Team Meetings
    • May 13, 2008 Implementation Team Meeting
    • August 6, 2008 Implementation Team Meeting
    • December 17, 2008 Implementation Team Meeting
  3. Results

    Training and Education Goal

    1. Events and Products

      Products

      Aerial Work Platform Operator Training Program

      Through the OSHA and SIA Alliance, SIA developed a draft outline for an Aerial Work Platform Operator training program. The training program addresses issues associated with aerial work platforms, such as safe use of boom lifts, scissor lifts and manually propelled lifts. SIA shared the draft outline with OSHA for review and comment. The Work Platform Operator training program is expected to be completed by February 2010.

      • Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop training and education programs for the construction industry regarding mast climbing scaffolding and aerial lift issues and to provide expertise in communicating such information to employers and employees in the construction industry.
      • 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 SIA's Web sites) to employers and employees in the construction industry.

        Products

        OSHA and SIA Alliance Web Page

        OSHA created and maintains an OSHA and SIA Alliance Web page that is posted on the OSHA Web site. The page includes the OSHA and SIA Alliance agreement, this annual report, news releases, and information on activities and events of the Alliance. Over the next year, links to resources developed by SIA through the Alliance Program will be added to the page.

        SIA Web site

        SIA created and maintains an OSHA and SIA Alliance Web page on its Web site. The page has information on the OSHA and SIA Alliance and links to the OSHA Web site. In addition, the Web page includes a photo of Steven F. Witt and information regarding his presentation at the SIA 36th Annual Convention and Expo on July 22, 2008 in Denver, Colorado.

        Mast Climber Hazard Awareness Tips Sheets

        Through the OSHA and SIA Alliance, SIA developed a draft "Transport Platforms Safety" tips sheet and a draft "Mast Climbing Work Platform Safety" tips sheet. The tips sheets address issues associated with aerial work platforms. SIA shared the draft tip sheets with OSHA for review and comment. The tips sheets are expected to be completed and posted on the SIA and OSHA Alliance Web page on the SIA Web site in the early spring of 2009. OSHA will then establish a link from the OSHA and SIA Alliance Web page on the OSHA Web site to the tip sheets on the SIA Web site.

        Publications and Newsletters

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

        OSHA Scaffolding eTool

        The following SIA representatives participate on the OSHA Scaffolding eTool's editorial board:

        • Dale Lindemer, PE, National Engineering Manager, ThyssenKrupp Safway, Inc., Waukesha, Wisconsin
        • Hardy Roloff, CHST, Corp. Safety Manager, Waco Scaffolding and Equipment Company, Cleveland, Ohio
        • Jeff Stachowiak, National Safety Director, Safety & Risk Management, Sunbelt Rentals, Saint Johns, Florida

        Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA or SIA conferences, local meetings, or other events such as SIA's 36th Annual Convention & Exposition.

        Events

        SIA 36th Annual Convention and Expo, July 20-26, 2008, Denver, Colorado

        Steven F. Witt, Director, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation entitled "OSHA Update" to 160 scaffold industry executives and safety and health professionals at the SIA 36th Annual Convention and Expo on July 22, 2008 in Denver, Colorado.

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

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

        • Promote and encourage SIA 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.

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

        • Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects on mast climbing scaffolding and aerial lift issues that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.

        OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable and Joint Meeting of the Fall Protection and Design for Safety Workgroups

        On September 18, 2008, Jeff Stachowiak joined representatives from eight construction-related Alliances and participated in a joint meeting of the Fall Protection and Design for Safety Workgroups in Washington, DC. During the meeting, the group discussed common construction-related interests and further refined the promising project ideas developed at a previously-held January 2008 Alliance Program Construction Roundtable. The group also received updates on the "Design for Construction Safety 2-4 Hour Course," and Design for Construction Safety Web site. Further, the group also reviewed and provided feedback on the draft "Prevention of Fall Fatalities and Injuries in Construction" slide presentation, received an update on the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's prevention through design initiative, and discussed a white paper on a proposed national public awareness outreach campaign focusing on fatalities in the construction industry. In addition, the group formed two new subgroups. The first subgroup will focus on strains/sprains and material handling. The second subgroup will develop case studies and success stories related to design for safety and falls in construction industry.

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

        SIA joined with more than 50 other Alliance Program participants to support 2008 NAOSH Week. NAOSH Week, sponsored by the American Society of Safety Engineers, an Alliance Program participant, focuses on increasing the understanding of the positive benefits of investing in occupational safety, health and environmental programs among employers, employees and the public; raising awareness of the role and contribution of safety, health and environmental professionals; and reducing workplace injuries and illness by encouraging new safety and health activities at all companies and organizations. The theme for the 2008 NAOSH Week was "Safety is Good Business." In support of NAOSH Week, SIA posted information regarding 2008 NAOSH Week on the SIA and OSHA Alliance Web page on the SIA Web site.

    2. Executive Summary

      During the OSHA and SIA Alliance's first year, the organizations established a very productive working relationship. Through the OSHA and SIA Alliance, SIA developed a draft outline for an Aerial Work Platform Operator training program which addresses issues associated with aerial work platforms, such as safe use of boom lifts, scissor lifts and manually propelled lifts. Further, SIA developed a draft "Transport Platforms Safety" tips sheet and a draft "Mast Climbing Work Platform Safety" tips sheet. The tips sheets address issues associated with aerial work platforms.

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

      • SIA members serve on the editorial board for the OSHA Scaffolding eTool.
      • SIA members serve on the editorial board for the OSHA Scaffolding Safety and Health Topics Page.
      • Steven F. Witt gave a presentation entitled "OSHA Update" to 160 scaffold industry executives and safety and health professionals at the SIA 36th Annual Convention and Expo on July 22, 2008 in Denver, Colorado.
      • Jeff Stachowiak participated in the OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable and Joint Meeting of the Fall Protection and Design for Safety Workgroups on September 18, 2008.
      • SIA supported 2008 NAOSH Week.
    3. Alliance Program Reach
      Type of Activity
      (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.      		 Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
      OSHA and SIA Web Page site on the OSHA Web site 1,533
      SIA and OSHA Web page on the SIA Web site Data Not Available
      OSHA Scaffolding eTool 20,467
      OSHA Scaffolding Safety and Health Topics Page 28,131
      July 20, 2008: SIA 36th Annual Convention and Expo, Denver Colorado.

      Speaker: Steven F. Witt, Director, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, USDOL-OSHA, presented "OSHA Update."      		 160
      February 27, 2008: "OSHA Announces a New Alliance with the Scaffold Industry Association," OSHA News Release 69 News Agencies
      February 27, 2008: "OSHA, Scaffold Industry Association Vow to Take Safety to New Heights," Occupational Health Safety Magazine 90,000
      February 27, 2008: "OSHA, Scaffold Industry Assoc. Announce New Alliance," ChicagoLand Construction News Data not Available
      February 27, 2008: "OSHA, Scaffold Industry Association Vow to Take Safety to New Heights," Occupational Health Safety - Texas Data not Available
      February 28, 2008: "OSHA Forms Alliance with the Scaffold Industry Association," Lift and Access Data not Available
      February 29, 2008: "OSHA Forms Alliance with the Scaffold Industry Association," AEM Consolidated Industry News Network Data not Available
      February 2008: "OSHA Announces New Alliance with Scaffold Industry Association," Design and Build Data not Available
      March 1, 2008: "Latest Alliance Activity," QuickTakes 55,226
      March 6, 2008: "OSHA, Scaffold Association Form Alliance," BNA Occupational Safety & Health Reporter Data not Available
      March 7, 2008: "OSHA Announces Alliance with Scaffold Industry Association," ThomasNet - Industrial NewsRoom Data not Available
      March 2008: "OSHA Announces a New Alliance with the Scaffold Industry Association," The Construction Institute Data not Available
      May 2008: "OSHA Alliances," OSHA Up To Date Data not Available
      Total 191,517
  4. Upcoming Milestones

    Over the next year, OSHA and SIA will continue to work together to provide SIA's members and others in the construction industry, with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will focus on reducing safety and health hazards associated with the use of mast climbing scaffolding and aerial lift equipment. The OSHA and SIA Alliance Implementation Team will finalize a draft of the Work Platform Operator training program, as well as complete the "Transport Platforms Safety" tips sheet and the draft "Mast Climbing Work Platform Safety" tips sheet. The tips sheets will be posted on the OSHA and SIA Alliance Web page on the OSHA Web site.

    SIA representatives will continue to serve on the Scaffold eTool and Scaffold Safety and Health Topics page's editorial boards and support 2009 NAOSH Week. Moreover, SIA will invite Steven F. Witt to give a presentation at the 2009 Annual Meeting which will be held in San Francisco, California on July 19-24, 2009. Finally, SIA will participate in OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable and Joint Meeting of the Fall Protection and Design for Safety Workgroups when scheduled.

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