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)

February 15, 2018

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

1. Alliance Background

   1. Date Signed

      December 10, 2015

   2. Evaluation Period

      December 16, 2016 – December 15, 2017

   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 at Indiana University of PA
      Dominic Brignola, President – Global Loss Control, ASSE-Lehigh Valley Chapter rep.
      Jenelle Perich, Administrator, KidsPeace
      Monaca Flexer, Environmental/Health/Safety Engineer, Wacker Chemical Corporation
      Linda Sanchez, Loss Control Consultant, Risk Assist
      Fred Koeck, Sales Manager, Derby Supply Chain Solutions
      Jodi Simon, Occ. Health Nurse/Workers Comp. Manager, Americold Logistics
      Richard Fetzer, NCC
      Scott Parker, Safety Manager, Brandenburg Industrial Services
      Catharine Bliss, NCC
      Tim Duncan, Safety Manager, Sands Casino
      Carissa Eyman, Manager, Environment, Health & Safety, Crayola, LLC

2. Implementation Team Meetings

   • January 17, 2017
   • March 7, 2017
   • May 1, 2017
   • June 26, 2017
   • August 29, 2017
   • September 19, 2017
   • November 2, 2017
   • December 12, 2017

   February 27, 2017
   April 11, 2017
   May 18, 2017
   July 18, 2017
   September 7, 2017
   October 10, 2017
   November 7, 2017

   With the development of a Sub-Committee, dealing with Safety Training - Comprehension and Literacy, additional meetings had been held over the evaluation period. In addition to these formal meetings, the Alliance coordinators from OSHA and Northampton Community College maintained regular contact (email and phone calls) throughout the reporting period to monitor the Alliance's progress and results.

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, Falls, Construction hazards, Temp. Workers, Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements, Hazard Communication, Safety and Health Programs	309
   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 17, 2017 – Safety Comprehension and Literacy Planning Feb. 27, 2017 – Safety Comprehension and Literacy Planning March 7, 2017 - Safety Comprehension and Literacy Planning March 27, 2017 – Safety Comprehension and Literacy Planning April 11, 2017 – Driver Safety: 15 Points to Avoid Distracted Driving. Presented by: Penske Truck Leasing May 1, 2017 – Safety Comprehension and Literacy Planning May 18, 2017 – Safety Comprehension and Literacy Workshop: Choosing your Words Wisely; The Literacy Factor; Addressing Multi-generational and Multi-cultural Employees in Your Training Plans June 26, 2017 – Quarterly Event – Walking Working Surfaces and Fall Arrest Protection, Presented by: MSA July 18, 2017 – Safety Comprehension and Literacy Planning: Follow-up meeting and discussion August 29, 2017 – Safety Comprehension and Literacy Follow-up and Expo Planning discussion Sept. 7, 2017 – Quarterly Event Planning Meeting – OSHA's Field Operations Manual Sep. 19, 2017 – Expo 2018 Planning Meeting October 10, 2017 – Quarterly Event – OSHA's Field Operations Manual Nov. 2, 2017 – Safety Comprehension and Literacy: Audience Analysis Roundtable Nov. 7, 2017 – Job Safety and Health Poster – Roundtable Discussion Dec. 12, 2017 – Expo 2018 Planning	Safety/Health Training Safety/Health Training Safety/Health Training Safety/Health Training Motor Vehicle and Fleet Safety Safety/Health Training Fall Protection Systems and OSHA new Walking/Working Surfaces regulation Safety/Health Training Safety/Health Training; Safety Programs, JSA, Recordkeeping OSHA Inspection and Enforcement See Section V below OSHA Inspection and Enforcement Safety/Health Training OSHA Inspections, Enforcement, meeting the standards and going beyond Various (see Section V below for a complete listing of the topics to be covered during the Expo event)	10 12 4 8 20 8 98 55 18 11 1 16 14 20 12 7
   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).	Recordkeeping, Update on Reporting Requirements, Injuries within the Lehigh Valley, Active Shooter, Update on Walking Working Surfaces Regulation, Silica Regulation, Safety and Health Committees (Engaged Workers are Safe Workers	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 2018. 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 – Safety Peer Group ASSE – Lehigh Valley Chapter Grandview Hospital – Peer Group Society of Human Resource Management Upper Bucks County Technical School Lehigh Career and Technical Institute Safety Peer Group of Lehigh Valley HealthWorks BuxMont Human Resources Warehouse Partnership Members Numerous emails and phone conversations with various members and stakeholders	OSHA Update, including WWS, 1904 Updates and Top Violations	200*
   Dissemination	May 17, 2017 – Safety Comprehension and Literacy Workshop – booth exhibit		98
   TOTAL			*1318

   *The Total Number reached is conservative (low), 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. This assessment does not reflect the total number of participants reached as there is no mechanism to measure the sharing of materials beyond the initial alliance participants.

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. Additionally, a few meetings had been postponed due to weather conditions and since meetings are held at the College, any delay or cancelation of classes, results in a cancelation (or postponement) of LVSC activities.

   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 Milestones

   Efforts are currently being developed to hold a "Safety Expo 2018" seminar. Topics to be held include: Pennsylvania Safety and Health Committee Certification; Safety Culture; Dealing with Difficult Co-Workers; Hazardous Materials Handling and Shipping; Job Safety Analysis; Importance of Metrics in the Workplace; OSHA Consultation Program; Health and Safety Training for Millennials; Hierarchy Of Controls - How do we effectively utilize Personal Protective Equipment; Medical Marijuana and The Workplace; and a Review of Family Medical Leave Act and it's requirements.

   Additionally, although not directly related to the efforts of this Alliance plans continue to move forward in the efforts to assist the Regional Office in planning for the "Workplace Chemical Safety Awareness and Application Workshop, which will be held at Northampton Community College on August 15, 2018. This effort is being spearheaded by Region III Regional staff (ARA-Enforcement Programs) and will incorporate discussions on Chemical Facility Safety, Chemical and Oil Transportation Safety, Chemical Facility Security, Aspects of Risk Management for Chemical Storage and Handling, an Overview of Local Emergency Planning Committee Functions and Vehicles Demonstrations. Various organizations and agencies will be presenting and participating including but not limited to; Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Dept. of Transportation, Dept. of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, Local Emergency Response Organizations, and Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection.