ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
And the
Pennsylvania OSHA Consultation Program at Indiana University of PA
And the
Lehigh Valley Safety Committee
A Consortium of
Northampton Community College (NCC)
And
The American Society of Safety Engineers
(Lehigh Valley Chapter)

January 10, 2017

In addition to these formal meetings, the Alliance coordinators from OSHA and Northampton Community College maintained regular contact throughout the reporting period to monitor the Alliance’s progress and results.

1. Alliance Background

   1. Date Signed

      December 10, 2015

   2. Evaluation Period

      December 9, 2015 – December 15, 2016

   3. Overview:

      The purpose of this Alliance is to continue the efforts in assisting LVSC members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect the health and safety of workers and understand the rights of workers and the responsibilities of employers under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act). Through the Alliance, the organizations will continue to address construction hazards, emergency preparedness and planning, hazard recognition and control programs, healthcare industry hazards and work and life wellness programs.

   4. Implementation Team Members

      OSHA

      Scott G. Shimandle

      Compliance Asst. Specialist, Allentown Area Office

      Alliance participant

      Thomas Barnowski

      Director Corporate & Public Safety, Northampton Comm. College

      Heather Ehritz

      Secretary, NCC

      Jennifer Kszak

      Center for Business and Industry, NCC

      Lee Cunningham

      Vice President – West Side Hammer Electric

      Cynthia J. Mellen

      Consultant, PA/OSHA Consultation Program at Indiana University of PA

      Dominic Brignola

      Global Loss Control - ASSE-Lehigh Valley Chapter rep.

      Kevin Kalman

      Security, Sands Casino and Hotel

      Jenelle Perich

      Administrator, KidsPeace

      Monica Flexer

      Environmental/Health/Safety Engineer, Wacker Chemical Corporation

      Linda Sanchez

      Loss Control Consultant, Risk Assist

2. Implementation Team Meetings

   • January 12, 2016
   • February 9, 2016
   • March 8, 2016
   • April 12, 2016
   • June 28, 2016
   • August 9, 2016
   • September 13, 2016
   • October 4, 2016
   • November 15, 2016
   • December 13, 2016

3. Results

   The following table summarizes the Alliance’s activities in support of the goals in the Alliance agreement.

   Raising Awareness of OSHA’s Rulemaking and Enforcement Initiatives: To share information on OSHA’s National/Regional/Local Emphasis Programs, Regulatory Agenda, and opportunities to participate in the rulemaking process. To share information on occupational safety and health laws and standards, including the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers. To convene or participate in forums, roundtable discussions, or stakeholder meetings on construction hazards, work and life wellness programs and emergency preparedness to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.
   Activity Type	Activity Name/Summary	OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported	Number Reached
   Meetings Dissemination	Over the past year, at every meeting and outreach event, this CAS provided an update on OSHA initiatives (nationally, regionally and locally), standards, trends (injuries, fatalities, violations issued) and regulatory agenda.	Silica Confined spaces Falls Construction Temp. Workers Amputations Recordkeeping Haz. Comm	227
   Training and Education: To develop effective training and education programs for LVSC members and others regarding construction related hazards, emergency preparedness, healthcare industry hazards and work and life wellness programs, and to communicate such information to constituent employers and workers. To deliver or arrange for the delivery of such courses as: Emergency Preparedness, including National Incident Management System and Incident Command Systems; Healthcare industry hazards, including Bloodborne Pathogens and Ergonomic issues; Job Safety Analysis; Construction hazards; Personal Protective Equipment; and Safety Committee operations.
   Activity Type	Activity Name/Summary	OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported	Number Reached
   Training/Speech Presentation Meetings	January 12, 2016 – Functional Performance February 9, 2016 – NFPA 70E – PPE May 19, 2016 – Safety Expo (topics included: Safety Committee Operations, Aging Worker, Distracted Driving, Ergonomics, Incident Response, Drugs in the Workplace, Arc Flash hazards, Violent Intruder and Impaired Professionals) June 28, 2016 – Fall Protection Trends August 9, 2016 – Drug Free Workplace September 13, 2016 – Contractor Safety Management October 4, 2016 – Fall Protection Equip. November 15, 2016 – Holiday Safety December 13, 2016 – Emergency Action Plan and their Interface	Training Electrical Fleet Safety Safety Programs Ergonomics Workplace Violence PPE Construction Drugs in the Workplace Safety and Health Programs Construction General Safety Emergency Action	13 20 120 15 7 15 12 8 17
   Dissemination	Through the use of Corporate and Public Safety eNewsletter Northampton Community College and the Center for Business and Industry, continues to promote all of the various LVSC Alliance activities, update on OSHA regulations, OSHA guidelines, and any of the latest OSHA News Releases, as well as the multitude of safety/health training courses that are offered through NCC and the OSHA Training Institute (Mid-Atlantic).	Haz. Comm. Confined spaces Recordkeeping Active Shooter Fire Safety Safety Committees	500
   Outreach and Communication: To develop ways of communicating the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards (e.g., print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools, and OSHA’s and the LVSC’s, NCC’s and/or the American Society of Safety Engineers – Lehigh Valley Chapter’s local emails and newsletter) to employers and workers in the industry. To speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA’s or LVSC meetings, local ASSE meetings, or other safety related events (e.g. Safety Expo V). To continue to work collectively on any newly identified or recognized safety and health issue or OSHA initiative, in an effort to improve workplace safety and health.
   Activity Type	Activity Name/Summary	OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported	Number Reached
   Training/Speech Presentation Meetings	In addition to the multitude of outreach activities and meetings listed above, efforts to promote this Alliance and its activities had been promoted with and through other outreach activities, including: CarePlex (Pottstown Hospital) ASSE – Lehigh Valley Chapter Numerous emails and phone conversations with various members and stakeholders	Haz. Comm. Recordkeeping Silica Confined spaces	25 20
   Dissemination	May 19, 2016 – Safety Expo V – booth exhibit		120
   TOTAL			772*

   *The Total Number Reached is conservative, as it does not include the activity of Dissemination of information at the Safety Expo, as this number has been captured in the Training and Education Activity, listed above.

4. Evaluations

   In summary, the activities (meetings and outreach events) that were provided during this evaluation period were very well received. However, the attendance continues to be a challenge as the meetings are held in the afternoon and some of the members have indicated it becomes difficult to attend when workplace activities warrant their attention, as most of the members are responsible for safety and health within their respective organizations.

   As survey was conducted (Nov./Dec) to look into the “attendance” challenge and as such the results indicated that 64% of the respondents could not get away from their office (as noted above) in the afternoon. The survey also solicited the primary reason for attending (or not), the days of the week to meet as well as time of day (morning, afternoon or evening). The overwhelming response to the primary reason to attend was the specific safety/health “topic”, which may need to be looked at to ensure that the topic(s) are relative and current. Although the day of the week was not a major concern (as long as it was a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday), the morning hours were slightly favored more (34%) than the afternoon (28%). As we move into the next evaluation period, efforts will be made to be mindful of the survey results and consider topics of presentation and possible modifications to time of meetings (switch from afternoon meetings to morning).

   The individuals reached by the outreach/communication activities represent various sized companies, unions, insurance agents and brokers, youth and family service centers, healthcare industry and temporary staffing agencies all of which have employees and/or members that would be directly affected by the various safety and health information that has been provided.

   The working relationship between the Alliance Signatories and the feedback on the Alliance continues to be very positive. Additionally, it should be noted that NCC is looking to extend the efforts and activities of this Alliance northeast Pennsylvania. Conversations had been had with the OSHA Area Office located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania as well as a few community colleges and a local Safety Council. Although not directly related to this Alliance, this effort illustrates the success and working relationship developed with the stakeholders.

5. Upcoming Events/Milestones

   Efforts are currently being developed to hold a “Workplace Safety Literacy” seminar. Through member discussions there have been some concern that safety training programs are not effective and that comprehension of training is not evaluated. The initial concept of this workshop is to discuss the current training concerns including the cultural diversity and technological issues being used; to share some case studies and literature review of training literacy; discuss trends in literacy and special concerns for manufacturing and industrial settings; and finally to discuss and offer some possible solutions or best practices to enhance safety literacy and competency.

Report Prepared by: Scott G. Shimandle, CAS, Allentown Area Office