Region 3 - Alliance Annual Report - December 17, 2013


ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT
PITTSBURGH AREA OFFICE
THE CONSTRUCTORS ASSOCIATION OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
December 17, 2013

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed: December 19, 2005

    Date Renewed: Last Renewal December 10, 2013

    Alliance Overview:

    The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Pittsburgh Area Office and The Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania (CAWP) aligned to provide Council members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to the hazards associated with the heavy and highway construction industry.

    Implementation Team Members:

    Robert Miner - President, CAWP
    Richard Barcaskey - Executive Director, CAWP
    Jason Koss - Director of Industry Relations, CAWP
    Christopher Robinson - Area Director, OSHA Pittsburgh Area Office
    Robert Carroll - CAS, OSHA Pittsburgh Area Office

  2. Implementation Team Meetings
    • January 23, 2013    
    • In-person
    • Dormont, PA
    • March 28, 2013      
    • In-person
    • Dormont, PA
    • May 15, 2013         
    • In-person
    • Dormont, PA
    • August 8, 2013       
    • In-person
    • Dormont, PA
    • December 9, 2013  
    • In-person
    • Dormont, PA
    • December 10, 2013
    • In-person
    • Dormont, PA
  3. Activities and Products

    Evaluation Period.

    December 17, 2012 to December 17, 2013

    Alliance Activity.

    January 23, 2013 - Alliance meeting discussing OSHA updated information and member safety and health concerns. In addition, a future training events schedule and topics were discussed. Related topics reviewed construction workzones, fall protection, ergonomics, Backover information, and OSHA policies/procedures

    February 11, 2013 - CAS presented information on OSHA inspection policies/procedures, worker & employer rights and answered numerous questions on construction standards pertaint to Heavy & Highway construction as part of a 30 hr OSHA course.

    March 22, 2013 - CAWP Director of Industry Relations presented to PennDOT District One Construction Stand down winter school on "Contractors Perspective on Safety".

    March 28, 2013- Alliance meeting where CAS provided and discussed updated information on Work Zone Directive, GHS, the crane standard certification, Fall protection Campaign and OSHA's vulnerable worker focus.

    May 15, 2013 - Alliance meeting discussing information and provided handouts (posters, fact sheets, stickers) on fall protection and heat stress. In addition, the CAS reviewed several of the fall protection training videos on the OSHA website. The Director of Industry Relations will provide information to the safety committee members and post links on the website.

    August 8, 2013 - Alliance meeting with Director of Industry Relations. Discussed upcoming major projects and PennDOT looking to develop a "PA Traffic Control Manager" requirement. Also an OSHA update was given.

    September 12, 2013 - PA One Call Western PA Safety Day - Pittsburgh OSHA Area Office staffed and information table. Provided handouts and answered a variety of question relating to excavation safety, construction standards, fall protection, heat stress, workers rights and OSHA policies/procedures. The CAWP Director of Industry Relations and member representatives participated and discussed issues and concerns on OSHA policies/procedures, workzone safety, fall protection and excavation safety.

    September 25, 2013 - CAWP Safety Committee held a roundtable and participated in tours at the Carpenter's Apprenticeship Training School.

    October 11, 2013 - CAWP Safety Committee held a roundtable and participated in tours at the new Operator Engineers Apprenticeship Training School.

    Throughout this evaluation period, the CAS has e-mailed the four safety alerts on product defects relating to, Genie Lift, FallTech/Yoke snap hooks & rebar hooks, RIDGID Nail Gun and Chinese made polyester slings.

    The Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania has quarterly Safety and Risk Committee meetings. These meetings not only work on planning future events, they act as a forum to exchange safety and health technical information and best practices. In addition, CAWP provides safety educational opportunities throughout the year for both members and non-members in the following areas: OSHA 10/30 hour, First Aid/CPR/AED, Mobile Crane Safety, Rigging, Confined Space, Trenching/Excavation, Fall Protection, Flagger Train-the-Trainer, Accident Prevention for Supervisors, Defensive Driving, Safeland, GHS, CSP Prep Workshop and DOT Compliance.

    The Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania is represented on all heavy and highway union joint apprenticeship committees operating in western Pennsylvania. The Association accomplishes this by appointing contractor members to each of these programs, which include the following trade unions: Carpenters, Cement Masons, Laborers, Operating Engineers, and Pile Drivers. In addition, a training fund is used for education of Teamsters. These committees are responsible for providing skilled construction workers through apprenticeship and training programs. Safety and Health information is promoted, supported and conveyed through these programs.

    Alliance Products.

    CAWP website was utilized to provide safety information and promote the various safety activities the organization conducts. The website has a link to the on-line safety training provided by the AGC of America. In addition, the website provided a link to OSHA's website.

    CAWP developed and distributed a new employee training booklet addressing the New Hazard Communication standard.

  4. Results

    The activities provided during this evaluation period were well received. The member representatives and the recipients of the safety and health outreach activities/communications found the information valuable in assisting them in promoting and improving their safety and health efforts at their heavy and highway construction jobsites.

     

    Type of Activity (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.) Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
    All CAWP sponsored training courses/classes/workshops to managers, supervisors, and union employees 905
    CAWP Hazard Communication Employee Training Booklet 4000
    CAWP Safety Committee Roundtable and Tours at Carpenters and Operating Engineers Apprenticeship Schools. 40
    PennDOT District One Construction Stand Down Winter School Presentation "Contractors Perspective on Safety" 80
    PA One Call Western Pennsylvania Safety Days 200
    CAWP Website and e-mail system - Links to OSHA website, OSHA heat and fall programs posted, safety alerts, posting of organization events and training (ability to reach member and associate member employees) 20,000
    TOTAL 25,225

     

    The individuals reached by the outreach activities/communication activities represent companies/unions with many employees/members that would be directly affected by the safety and health information provided. The working relationship between the Alliance Signatories and the feedback on the Alliance continues to be very positive.

  5. Upcoming Milestones

    As a result of the positive working relationship between the Alliance signatories, an Alliance Renewal Agreement was signed on December 10, 2013. The Alliance is continually looking into future opportunities in providing information for affected parties through internet use, roundtable discussions and training sessions. The Alliance signatories will continue to work to address the safety and health needs of the affected parties.