Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association, Inc.
(SMACNA) Alliance
Close-Out Report

On August 16, 2004, OSHA and SMACNA formed an Alliance to focus on providing the organization's members and others in the sheet metal and air conditioning construction contracting industries, including small businesses, with information, guidance, and access to training resources to help protect employees' health and safety. The Alliance particularly focused on motor vehicle safety, fall protection and personal protective equipment with an emphasis on cuts and eye injuries, and reducing and preventing exposure to amputation and welding hazards.

Because SMACNA has decided to focus on other projects and priorities, OSHA and SMACNA agreed to conclude the Alliance as of August 16, 2007. Through the organizations work together to meet the agreements' goals, a number of successes resulted from the Alliance, including:

• On May 6-12, 2007, SMACNA participated in the 2007 North American Occupational Safety and Health Week activities, 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.

• On December 5, 2006, Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., Assistant Secretary, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation on the OSHA Alliance Program at the SMACNA Council of Chapter Representatives Meeting in South Beach, Florida.

• On October 8-12, 2006, SMACNA held its Annual Convention in Phoenix, Arizona, where representatives from the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health and OSHA Region IX staffed the Alliance Program exhibit booth during the conference.

• On December 6, 2005, Mike McCullion, Director, Safety and Health, SMACNA, made a presentation to 100 attendees about the OSHA and SMACNA Alliance at the SMACNA Council of Chapter Representatives annual meeting.

• On July 8, 2004, SMACNA representatives attended the Alliance Program Construction Roundtable in Washington, D.C. The Roundtable brought together representatives from 15 construction-related Alliances to share information on safety and health issues such as fall protection, electrical hazards and ergonomics and to discuss ways of working together on Alliance-related projects. As a result of the Roundtable, a SMACNA representative participated on the Construction Roundtable's Fall Protection Workgroup, which has developed a number of products including the “Fall Hazard Awareness for the Construction Industry” training course.

• Through the OSHA and SMACNA Alliance, SMACNA developed the Construction Vehicle and Service Vehicle Safety Card that provides pre-use inspection checklists for the vehicle operator and tips on how to safely operate both construction and service vehicles.

• A representative from the association served on OSHA's Motor Vehicle Safety and Health Topics page's Editorial Board.

Report prepared by: Blair Lapres, Research Assistant, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, July 24, 2007