ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT
Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Alliance

U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Jackson Area Office
Dr. A.H. McCoy Federal Building
100 West Capitol Street, Suite 749
Jackson, MS 39269
(601) 965-4606; Fax (601) 965-4610

July 7, 2016

1. Alliance Background

   1. Date Signed:

      May 23, 2003

      Date Renewed:

      June 27, 2005; June 19, 2012; and July 9, 2014

   2. Evaluation Period

      May 1, 2015, through April 30, 2016

   3. Overview:

      The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Electric Power Associations of Mississippi (EPA of MS) Alliance is focused on reducing and preventing employee exposure to electrical power transmission and distribution equipment hazards.

   4. Implementation Team Members

      The Alliance Implementation Team included representatives from the OSHA Area Office in Jackson, MS, and the EPA of MS.

      OSHA
      Representatives from the OSHA Area Office in Jackson, MS

      Alliance participant
      EPA of MS representatives

2. Implementation Team Meetings

   • 8/5/2015
   • 11/5/15
   • 1/14/16

   In addition to these formal meetings, the Alliance coordinators from both groups maintained regular contact 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: The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following goal related to raising awareness of OSHA’s rulemaking and enforcement initiatives: Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings regarding electric utility issues to help forge innovative solutions to safety and health issues.
   Activity Type	Activity Name/Summary	OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported	Number Reached
   Speech/Presentation	On August 5, 2015, OSHA was represented by a member of the Jackson Area Office at the Full-Time Safety Coordinator Round Table Meeting in Ridgeland, MS.	Construction, Fall Prevention, Young Workers, and Fall Prevention	25

   Training and Education: The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following training and education goal: To develop effective training and education programs on electrical transmission and distribution equipment hazards targeted to electric utility workers employed by EPA of MS members, and to communicate such information to constituent employers and workers. To deliver or arrange for the delivery of Advance Lineman Training courses, conducted by EPA of MS, for electric utility workers employed by EPA of MS members.
   Activity Type	Activity Name/Summary	OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported	Number Reached
   Training	During this period of time, representatives from the OSHA Area Office in Jackson, MS, and the EPA of MS participated in the following education and training events, for EPA of MS workers and others in the electrical power transmission and distribution industry: On November 5, 2015, the Holmes Community College Apprentice Electric Lineman School was supported. On April 13, 2015, the Holmes Community College Apprentice Electric Lineman School was supported.	Construction, Fall Prevention, Young Workers, and Fall Prevention	100+

   Outreach and Communication: The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals: To develop information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and to develop ways of communicating such information (e.g., print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools, and OSHA’s and the EPA of MS’s Web sites) to employers and workers in the electrical transmission and distribution, as well as the construction industries. To speak, exhibit, or appear at EPA of MS’s Annual Safety Coordinators Conference, local meetings, or other events. To share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding EPA of MS’s good practices or effective approaches through training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any other applicable forum) developed by the participants.
   Activity Type	Activity Name/Summary	OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported	Number Reached
   	During this period of time, OSHA representatives from the Jackson, MS, Area Office and the EPA of MS participated in the following outreach and communication events: On November 4 through 6, 2015, OSHA participated in the Underground Damage Prevention Summit in Philadelphia, MS. On January 14, 2016, OSHA participated in the Arboriculture Seminar in Meridian, MS, in support of the Alliance.	Construction, Fall Prevention, Young Workers, and Fall Prevention	100+

4. Evaluation

   N/A

5. Upcoming Milestones in FY 2016 – FY 2017

   • The EPA of MS Alliance group will participate in the Arboriculture Seminar in January 2017.
   • The EPA of MS Alliance group will participate in the Apprentice Electric Lineman School for the following organizations:
     The Holmes Community College Apprentice Electric Lineman School
   • The EPA of MS Alliance group will participate in the Underground Program offered through Electric Power Associations of MS.
   • The EPA of MS Alliance group will participate in the Foreman Training Program offered through Electric Power Associations of MS.
   • OSHA will participate in the Annual Safety Coordinators Conference in Ridgeland, MS, in an effort to promote the EPA of MS Alliance.

Report Prepared by: Courtney Bohannon, Assistant Area Director (AAD) for the OSHA Area Office in Jackson, MS