ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT
International Union of Operating Engineers, Local #478
Alliance Background: Signed April 18, 2012
Renewed: April 05, 2016

Overview

The purpose of the Alliance is to foster a culture of prevention through sharing best practices and technical knowledge to promote safe and healthful working conditions for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 478 members and employees through various construction companies. The Alliance will provide information and guidance that will help them to protect employees’ health and safety by reducing and preventing exposure to workplace hazards.

Implementation Team Members

Steven Biasi, Area Director, U.S. Department of Labor/OSHA - Bridgeport Area Office
Dale Varney, Area Director, U.S. Department of Labor/OSHA - Hartford Area Office
Kenneth Tucker, Director, State of Connecticut, Division of Occupational Safety and Health
Leona May, Compliance Assistance Specialist, U.S. Department of Labor/OSHA, Bridgeport Area Office
Paul Mangiafico, Compliance Assistance Specialist, U.S. Department of Labor/OSHA, OSHA Hartford Area Office
John Able, Compliance Assistance Specialist, State of Connecticut, Division of Occupational Safety and Health
Craig Metz – Business Manager, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 478
Kyle Zimmer – Health and Safety Director, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 478

Contributors

None

Evaluation Period

April 5, 2018 to April 5, 2019

Team Meetings

***Bridgeport Area Office’s Compliance Assistance Specialist Leona May, Area Director Steven Biasi and Operating Engineer’s Kyle Zimmer exchanged numerous telephone calls and emails throughout the evaluation period.

Events and Products

March 7, 2018 – CAS Leona May attended the Local 478 sponsored Safety and Health Symposium at the Operating Engineer’s main office in Hamden, CT.

March 27 and 28, 2018 - CAS Leona May attended the Construction Career Days hosted by the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union, Local 777, in conjunction with the Operating Engineers Union, Local 478. Bridgeport CAS attended the event and established an OSHA information booth with publications and information.

June 16, 2018 – The Operating Engineers union sponsored a Hazwoper training course at their training center in Meriden, CT. OSHA personnel were invited and attended the training.

September 11, 2018- Kyle Zimmer spoke about Addiction, Suicide Prevention & Behavioral Health at the CCIA conference.

April 2018 to April 2019 – Operating Engineers conducted numerous OSHA 10 training course resulting with approximately 300 workers completing the training.

Outreach and Communication

Outreach goals are to promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health the construction industry.

Communication is primarily conducted through email, websites and mail distribution.

Results

Upcoming Milestones in FY 2019/2020:

Signatories will continue to present various safety and health topics and training in coordination with Local 478. Hazwoper Refresher Training.

Local 478 conduct OSHA 10 hour classes on a continuous basis by 478 with assistance from Connecticut OSHA, Bridgeport Area Office and Hartford Area Office.

Local 478 along with Connecticut OSHA, Bridgeport Area Office and Hartford Area Office will collaborate to promote the emphasis of OSHA’s Focus Four along with Addiction, Suicide Prevention & Behavioral Health.

Kyle Zimmer will participate with developing new OSHA training curriculum at the OSHA training Institute in Arlington Heights, IL for OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 courses to increase OSHA’s and worker awareness to Addiction, Suicide Prevention and Behavior Health.