Region 3 - Alliance Annual Report - March 30, 2016
ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT
PITTSBURGH AREA OFFICE
THE IRONWORKER EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATION OF WESTERN PA INC.
March 30, 2016
- Alliance Background
Date Signed: 3-11-03
Date Renewed: Last Renewal 4-6-15Alliance 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
Christopher Robinson – Area Director, OSHA Pittsburgh Area Office
Robert Carroll – CAS, OSHA Pittsburgh Area Office - Implementation Team Meetings
April 6, 2015 In-person Pittsburgh PA July 23, 2015 In-person Pittsburgh PA December 11, 2015 In-person Greentree PA January 11, 2016 In-person Greentree PA March 18, 2016 In-person Greentree PA - Activities and Products
Evaluation Period
March 30, 2015 to March 30, 2016Alliance Activity
April 6, 2015 - An Alliance renewal signing was held at the Ironworkers Local #3 Union Apprenticeship School with the Ironworkers Local #3 Business Agent present supporting the Alliance efforts between OSHA and the employers association. In addition to the Signing, the CAS, AD, and Executive Director of the Ironworkers Employers Association attended three apprenticeship classes and presented information relating to OSHA and safety in the industry.
April 24, 2015 – CAS and AD 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 AD received cross training in Ironworker construction activity. In addition, the CAS and AD provided updated OSHA information and answered numerous questions relating to the construction standards from a variety of construction contractors/professionals throughout the day event.
April 28, 2015 – Worker Memorial Day Services held by the Allegheny County Labor Council was attended by member employees.
May 1, 2015 – Member company representatives attended the annual Mid-Atlantic Safety and Health Alliance (MASHA) Safety and health Conference. The CAS, AD, AAD of W&H, and Industry Representatives participated on a roundtable panel discussion as a closing event for the conference. The topic of discussion was OSHA's Temporary Worker Initiative/Policies along with discussion on misclassification of workers. AD and CAS participated in an OSHA roundtable question and answer session. In addition, the Pittsburgh OSHA Office staffed an information table providing handouts and interacted with representatives discussing safety and health issues and concerns throughout the day.
May 14, 2015 - As part of the fall protection stand down, the CAS and AD presented fall protection talking points and updated fatality statistics to four apprenticeship classes at the Ironworkers Local #3 apprenticeship school.
May 14, 2015 – As part of the Fall Protection Stand Down, member company employees participated in tool box training sessions at a Partnership site. The AD and CAS participated by providing fall protection talking points and updated fatality stats.
July 23, 2015 – The CAS and AD participated in a meeting with the Executive Director, two representatives from a member company, and the President of Ironworkers Local #3. Topics discussed were the alliance agreement, OSHA standards/policies relating to structural steel erection, and jobsite safety and health expectations of both OSHA and the Union.
November 9, 2015 - CAS e-mailed a safety alert to the Executive Director to disseminate to members on safety issues with a manufacture’s self-retracting lanyard.
January 11, 2016 – The Executive Director and CAS participated in reviewing packets of a variety of construction jobs that had been submitted for upcoming safety awards. This effort assisted in the recognition of companies and employees that have maintained safety excellence at particular jobsites. In addition, this activity enables OSHA to obtain “Best Practice” information on steel erection construction jobsites.
Throughout this evaluation period, the CAS has e-mailed safety alerts on product defects relating to a mobile horizontal lifeline and electric powered hand tools.
The Ironworkers Employers’ Association of Western Pennsylvania has periodic Safety and Risk Committee meetings throughout the year. 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, 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 accomplishes this by appointing 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.
Billl 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.
The IWEA’s website posted information and links to the safety alerts sent and a link to the new demolition directive. The website has a safety section, referencing the alliance. The website also posts and maintains various past safety and health information (i.e. OSHA news releases, links to new standards and letters of interpretations, safety bulletins, product recalls, etc.) for continual review. The website lists electronic links to various government, labor organizations, and contractor associations.
- Results
The activities and information provided were well received. Bill Ligetti, Executive Director, and member representatives found the safety and health outreach activities/communications and the information valuable in assisting them in promoting/ 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 Ironworkers Outstanding Apprentice Competition and Annual Contractors/Construction Professionals Open House 200 Mid-Atlantic Safety and Health Alliance Annual Safety and Health Conference 50 Fall Protection Stand Down – Tool Box Training Sessions at a Partnership Site 20 Fall Protection Stand Down – Ironworkers Local #3 Apprenticeship School Training (Fall Protection 7 Local Fatality Stats) 43 IWEA Website 1,200 TOTAL 1,513 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 between the Alliance signatories, an Alliance Renewal Agreement was signed on April 6, 2015.
- 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, CAS Pittsburgh Area Office
For more information, contact the Office of Outreach Services and Alliances at 202-693-2340 or go to www.osha.gov.