ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT

PITTSBURGH AREA OFFICE

THE IRONWORKER EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATION OF WESTERN PA INC.

April 2, 2012

1. Alliance Background

   Date Signed: 3-11-03
   
   Date Renewed: Last Renewal 3-30-11
   
   Alliance Overview
   
   The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Pittsburgh Area Office and the Ironworker Employers Association of Western Pennsylvania, Inc. (IWEA) aligned to foster and maintain an open line of communication with each other for the meaningful exchange of information on promoting OSHA compliance and Industry best practices in the Construction Industry and to understand the rights of workers and the responsibilities of employers under the Occupational safety and Health Act.
   
   Implementation Team Members
   
   Bill Ligetti – Executive Director, IWEA
   Robert Szymanski – Area Director, OSHA Pittsburgh Area Office
   Robert Carroll – Compliance Assistance Specialist (CAS), OSHA Pittsburgh Area Office
    

2. Implementation Team Meetings
    

   March 3, 2011 In-person Greentree PA
   March 30, 2011 In-person Greentree PA
   May 31, 2011 In-person Greentree PA
   August 5, 2011 In-person Greentree PA
   October 14, 2011 In-person Greentree PA
   January 13, 2012 In-person Greentree PA
   February 23, 2012 In-person Greentree PA

3. Activities and Products
    

   Evaluation Period.
   
   March 15, 2011 to March 30, 2012

   Alliance Activity.
   
   March 3, 2011 – Meeting discussing an alliance renewal agreement using the new verbiage and alliance criteria implemented by OSHA's current administration.
   
   March 21, 2011 – A technical information meeting on fall protection and the new mobile crane standard requirements relating to proximity to power lines was conducted with a safety representative of a member company as it related to a current steel erection construction job.
   
   March 30, 2011 – An alliance renewal agreement was signed.
   
   April 21, 2011 – CAS and a Compliance Safety And Health Officer (CSHO) trainee attended the “Ironworkers Outstanding Apprentice Competition and Annual Contractors/Construction Professionals Open House”.  This event was held in conjunction with and at the Ironworkers Union Local #3 Apprenticeship School. The CAS and trainee received cross training in Ironworker construction activity.  In addition, the CAS provided updated OSHA information and answered numerous questions relating to the construction standards from a variety of construction contractors/professionals throughout the day event. 
   
   May 3, 2011 – CAS provided Executive Director information on the top twenty-five frequently cited standards in construction and general industry for the past two years in Region III. In addition, fatality statistic handouts were provided for distribution.  The CAS reviewed the resources on OSHA's website on heat stress.
   
   August 12, 2011 – A pre-construction meeting was held with a safety representative of a member company focusing on installation of shear connectors and wire rope sling use.  
   
   November 1, 2011 – A pre-construction meeting was held with a safety representative of a member company focusing on safety measures during precast concrete construction.    
   
   January 12, 2012 – The Executive Director and CAS reviewed submitted packets of construction jobs for upcoming safety awards.  This effort allowed companies and employees that have maintained safety excellence to be recognized.  In addition, this activity enables OSHA to obtain “Best Practice” information on steel erection construction jobsites.
   
   The Ironworkers Employers' Association of Western Pennsylvania has periodic Safety and Risk Committee meetings throughout the year.  These meetings are used to brainstorm and plan future events; as well as a forum to exchange safety and health technical information and best practices.  In addition, IWEA provides safety educational opportunities throughout the year for members on related industry practices.
   
   The Ironworkers Employers' Association of Western Pennsylvania is represented on the union joint apprenticeship and journeymen upgrade committee of the Ironworkers Local #3.  The Association appoints contractor members and the Executive Director to the committee.  This committee is responsible for providing skilled construction workers through apprenticeship and training programs.  Safety and Health information is promoted, supported and conveyed through these programs.  The committee also reviews funding, liability, disciplinary and other joint management/labor functions.
   
   Bill Ligetti, IWEA Executive Director, and member company representatives have called throughout the year for general discussions on OSHA standards/ policy/interpretations and requests for OSHA handouts/publications.

   Alliance Products.

   The IWEA's revised the design of their website this past year.  The website has a safety section, referencing the alliance.  This section also posts various safety and health information (i.e. OSHA news releases, safety bulletins, product recalls, etc.).  The website lists electronic links to various government, labor organizations, and contractor associations.

4. Results

   The activities and information provided were well received.  The Bill Ligetti, Executive Director, and  member representatives of the safety and health outreach activities/communications found the information valuable in assisting them in promoting and improving their safety and health efforts.  In addition, OSHA representatives found the shared information valuable in expanding their knowledge base on the implementation of good safety practices on steel erection construction jobsites.

   Type of Activity (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.)	Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
   IWEA Website	1200
   Pre-Construction &  Technical Information Meetings	250
   Ironworkers Outstanding Apprentice Competition and Annual Contractors/Construction Professionals Open House	200
   TOTAL	1650

   The working relationship between the Alliance Signatories and the feedback on the Alliance continues to be extremely positive. As a result of the positive working relationship, an alliance renewal agreement was signed on March 30, 2011.

5. Upcoming Milestones

   The Alliance continues to look at future opportunities in providing information for affected parties. The Alliance signatories will continue to work together to address the safety and health needs of the affected parties.
   
   Report Prepared by:
   Bob Carroll, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Pittsburgh Area Office
   
   For more information, contact the Office of Outreach Services and Alliances at 202-693-2340 or go to www.osha.gov.