U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Tampa Area Office
5807 Breckenridge Parkway, Suite A
Tampa, FL 33610
(813) 626-1177; Fax (813) 626-7015

Tampa Area Office Annual Status Report
Suncoast Utility Contractors Association (SUCA) Alliance
October 31, 2016

1. Alliance Background

    

   1. Date Signed

      April 17, 2015

   2. Evaluation Period

      April 17, 2015 – October 31, 2016

   3. Overview

      The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Suncoast Utility Contractors Association, Inc. (SUCA) agreed to establish an Alliance to reduce and prevent exposure to hazards during trenching and excavation procedures, confined space entry and other imminent dangers in the underground utility construction industry. The goal will be achieved by developing and sharing information, guidance, and training resources.

   4. Implementation Team Members

      The implementation team consists of representatives from the OSHA Area Office in Tampa, FL, and the Suncoast Utility Contractors Association, Inc. (SUCA).

      OSHA Area Office in Tampa, FL

      • Leslie L. Grove, Area Director (AD)
      • Joan Spencer, Compliance Assistance Specialist (CAS)

       

      Suncoast Utility Contractors Association, Inc. (SUCA)

      • Theresa Mannix, Executive Director
      • Thomas Butler, Chairman

    

2. Implementation Team Meetings

   The group conducted Alliance implementation team meetings, in person, by telephone, and through e-mail correspondence on the following dates:

   • 7/30/2015
   • 8/25/2015
   • 10/2/2016
   • 1/6/2016
   • 3/21/2016
   • 4/11/2016
   • 6/22/2016
   • 8/17/2016
   • 9/29/2016

   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: To convene or participate in forums, roundtable discussions, or stakeholder meetings on underground utility construction hazards to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace and/or to provide input on safety and health issues.
   Activity Type	Activity Name/Summary	OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported	Number Reached
   Dissemination	During this period, the group promoted the Alliance in its quarterly E-Newsletter. The newsletter distribution is approximately 500 readers and it features the following information: national and local articles about the industry; updates on OSHA; as well as occupational safety and health prevention information.	Construction, Fall Prevention, Hazard Communication, Heat Illness Prevention, Small Business, and Temporary Workers	500
   Speech/Presentation	During this period, the Alliance group conducted a presentation regarding the new OSHA silica standard for its membership and other.	Hazard Communication, Small Business, and Temporary Workers	30
   Speech/Presentation	During this period, the Alliance group’s national association shared a webinar, which addressed the preparation process for an OSHA Inspection.	Construction, Fall Prevention, Hazard Communication, Heat Illness Prevention, Small Business, and Temporary Workers	2000+
   Training and Education: The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following training and education goals: To develop effective training and education programs for the utility construction industry regarding safe trenching and excavation procedures, confined space entry and other imminent dangers in the underground utility construction industry and to communicate such information to constituent employers and workers. To deliver or arrange for the delivery of underground utility construction courses.
   Activity Type	Activity Name/Summary	OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported	Number Reached
   Training	During this period, the Alliance group conducted a training session on the OSHA confined space standard for its membership and other.	Construction and Small Business	30
   Training	During this period, the Alliance group conducted a training session focused on excavation safety and competent person requirements for its membership and other.	Construction and Small Business	21
   Training	During this period, the Alliance group conducted a training session on Maintenance of Traffic for its membership and other.	Construction and Small Business	22
   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 SUCA’s Web sites) to employers and workers in the industry. To speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or SUCA conferences, local meetings, or other outreach events. To share among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professional information regarding SUCA’s good practices or effective approaches through outreach materials developed by OSHA and SUCA, 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
   Speech/Presentation	During this period, the Alliance group conducted an OSHA update session, which addressed the following topics: OSHA Inspection Stats OSHA Emphasis Programs OSHA’s upcoming proposed standards OSHA’s new standards	Construction, Fall Prevention, Hazard Communication, Heat Illness Prevention, Small Business, and Temporary Workers	50
   Speech/Presentation	During this period, the Alliance group conducted an OSHA recordkeeping session for the construction human resource managers, its membership and other.	Construction, Temporary Workers, Small Businesses	35
   Presentation/Exhibit	During this period, the Alliance group supported the Construction Career Days for Hillsborough County High School students.	Young Workers	600
   Event	During this period, the Alliance group supported and participated in the Tampa Bay, FL, Excavation Task Force. This organization’s mission is to create a culture where a safe work environment is maintained in all excavations.	Construction, Temporary Workers, Small Businesses	100+
   Exhibit	During this period, the Alliance group’s conducted an outreach event to demonstrate the latest technologies, products and services in its industry. Participants in the event included manufacturers and suppliers in the utility construction industry, as well as government agencies.	Construction and Small Businesses	500+
   Exhibit/ Other	During this period, the Alliance was effectively promoted during national conferences throughout central Florida.	Construction, Small Businesses, Asian American/Pacific Islander Workers, Healthcare.	2000+

4. Evaluations

   On June 22, 2016, the Alliance group’s safety committee convened to develop possible programs, which would expand the groups outreach to the utility construction industry.

5. Upcoming Milestones
   • Continue to develop outreach presentations for members and non-members that will inform and communicate safe trenching and excavation procedures, confined space entries and other imminent dangers in the underground utility construction industry.
   • OSHA will participate in future Showcase and Career Day Programs.
   • SUCA will continue to participate with other Alliances to bring excavation safety awareness to all employers.

   Report prepared by Joan M. Spencer, Compliance Assistance Specialist