U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Atlanta Regional Office
61 Forsyth Street, S.W., Room 6T50
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
(678) 237-0400; Fax (678) 237-0447
OSHA Training Institute Education Centers (OTIEC)
Region IV Alliance Annual Report
November 5, 2021

1. Alliance Background

   1. Date Signed

      September 29, 2015

      Renewal Date

      October 4, 2017

   2. Evaluation Period:

      October 1, 2020, through November 5, 2021

   3. Overview:

      The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Atlanta Regional Office and the OSHA Training Institute Education Centers (OTIECS) in Region IV recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. The OTIEC Alliance is focused on providing students and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect the health and safety of workers, particularly by reducing and preventing exposure to prevalent health and safety hazards in the general and construction industries.

   4. Implementation Team Membership and Contributors

      The implementation team included representatives from the OSHA Regional Office and the OTIECS in Region IV.

      OSHA

      Americo Pagan, Assistant Regional Administrator for Cooperative and State Programs
      Kaylene Sherrod-Moore, Regional Program Analyst
      Tom Bosley, Regional Alliance Coordinator

      Region IV - OSHA Training Institute Education Centers (OTIECS)

      Sheryl Foucher, University of Alabama (UA) - OSHA Training Institute Education Center (OTIEC)
      Mylene Kellerman, University of South Florida (USF) - OTI Education Center
      Wendy Laing, North Carolina (NC) State University – Southeastern OTI Education Center
      Bryan Lane, University of Tennessee – Southeastern OTI Education Center
      Hilarie Warren, Georgia Tech - OTI Education Center
      Zach Rhodus, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) - OTI Education Center
      Bob Jankiewicz, Volunteer State Community College - OTI Education Center

2. Implementation Team Meetings

   During this period, the Alliance group conducted implementation team meetings virtually. The Alliance group also frequently communicated and coordinated via email.

   • April 6, 2021 (Zoom Meeting/Conference Call)
   • Alliance Implementation Team coordinated during the May 4 – 6, 2021, DTE/OTIEC meeting
   • Alliance group communicated via email throughout the year

3. Results

   Dissemination: Alliance Program participant shared information on OSHA-developed or OSHA Alliance Program-developed tools and resources, OSHA standards/rulemakings, enforcement, or outreach campaigns.

   Dissemination Type	Date	Description	Emphasis Area(s)*	Number Reached (numeric value)
   Dissemination	10/2020 – 11/2021	During this period, the OSHA Region IV Newsletter continued to include a quarterly feature known as “OTIEC Corner.”	Construction, Ergonomic, Fall Prevention, Hazard Communication/Chemical, Heat Illness Prevention, and Transportation	8,000 (circulation)
   Dissemination	10/10-13/2021	During this period, the representatives from the University of South Florida (USF), University of Alabama (UA), Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), and the Georgia Tech - OTIECs promoted the Alliance, while staffing a booth at the National Safety Congress (NSC).	Construction, Ergonomic, Fall Prevention, Hazard Communication/Chemical, Heat Illness Prevention, and Transportation	5,000+ Contacts
   Dissemination	During this period	The Southeastern OTIEC at North Carolina State University (NCSU) continued to promote OSHA’s campaigns and initiatives using its bi-monthly newsletter the “Safety Guardian.” The newsletter is disseminated to employers and workers across North Carolina, including Federal Field Safety and Health Council (FFSHC) members.	Construction, Ergonomic, Fall Prevention, Hazard Communication/Chemical, Heat Illness Prevention, and Transportation	6,000 (circulation)
   Dissemination	During this period	The Volunteer State Community College (VSCC) - OTIEC distributed a monthly newsletter to stakeholders, including members of the Middle Tennessee - FFSHC. Areas of emphasis include upcoming training events, OSHA success stories, as well as regional and national emphasis programs.	Federal Workers, Construction and Fall Prevention	10,000 (circulation)
   Dissemination/Training	During this period	During this period, the Region IV - OTIEC promoted OSHA’s campaigns, initiatives and stand-downs in the following manner: The Southeastern OTIEC at the University of Tennessee (UT) conducted approximately 200 - Fall Prevention courses. On May 3, 2021, the EKU - OTIEC conducted the OTI course 7404 – Fall Hazard Awareness for the Construction Industry. On August 9, 2021, the EKU - OTIEC conducted the OTI course 7500 – Safety and Health Management in support of the OSHA Safe + Sound Campaign. The total attendance for these events was 23 attendees. During this period, the USF - OTIEC conducted several events to promote OSHA initiatives including the following: Worker’s Memorial Day, National Fall Safety Stand-Down, and Safe + Sound Week. The total attendance for these events were 259 attendees. During this period, the UA - OTIEC conducted the following training courses to promote and support OSHA’s initiatives: Work Zone/Struck-By Awareness, Fall Protection, Heat Illness Prevention, and Safety and Health Management. The total attendance for these events were 271 attendees. During this period, the VSCC - OTIEC conducted the following training courses to promote and support OSHA’s initiatives: OTI 3115 - Fall Protection, OTI 7500 - Safety and Health Management, OTI 3015 - Excavation, Trenching and Soil Mechanics, and OTI 7405 - Fall Hazard Awareness for the Construction Industry. During this period, the Georgia Tech – OTIEC conducted the following free seminars to promote and support OSHA’s initiatives: OTI 7405 – Fall Hazard Awareness for the Construction Industry, OTI 7100 - Introduction to Machinery and Machine Safeguarding, OTI 7105 – Emergency & Evacuation Planning, OTI 7200 – Bloodborne Pathogen Control, OTI 3115 – Fall Protection, OTI 3015 – Excavation Georgia Tech also conducted several fee-based courses to promote and support OSHA’s initiatives: OTI 3115 – Fall Protection, OTI 3015 – Excavation, Trenching and Soil Mechanics, OTI 7500 – Safety and Health Management, and OTI 2255 – Principles of Ergonomics.	Construction, Ergonomic, Fall Prevention, Hazard Communication/Chemical, Heat Illness Prevention, and Transportation	11,000+ Contacts/Attendees
   Dissemination/Training	During this period	During this period, the Region IV – OTIEC’s conducted the following activities to train and educate federal and private sector workers regarding COVID-19: On 2/25/2021, the Southeastern OTIEC at NCSU conducted a one-hour webinar regarding OSHA guidance for COVID-19. During this period, the EKU - OTIEC conducted 13 courses, which were updated with COVID-19 recordkeeping guidance. Georgia Tech OTIEC conducted a presentation for the Georgia Manufacturers Extension Partnership – Regional Managers regarding the OSHA COVID-19 NEP (National Emphasis Program). The Southeastern OTIEC at UT developed the Coronavirus Resource Dashboard for employers, as well as a booklet titled “Return to work and Recovery Guide.” The OTIEC also updated several courses to address COVID-19. During this period, the USF - OTIEC conducted the following events to educate workers and employers about COVID-19: the webinar SAR CoV2 for Healthcare Workers - Qualitative Fit Testing, as well as the webinar Managing Stress and Coping During COVID-19. The total attendance for these events was 174 attendees. During this period, the UA - OTIEC conducted 10 training sessions focused on COVID-19, OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) and infectious diseases. During this period, the VSCC - OTIEC conducted the following the OTI Courses: OTI 7210 for Pandemic Illness Preparedness, and OTI 7210 - Pandemic Influenza Preparedness. The latter course was conducted for seven members of Wilson Works, a division of the Wilson County Chamber of Commerce. The VSCC - OTIEC conducted a COVID-19 webinar, designed to provide employers and workers guidance to help them navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.	Construction, Ergonomic, Fall Prevention, Hazard Communication/Chemical, Heat Illness Prevention, Transportation and COVID-19 Pandemic	22,103+ Contacts/Attendees

   Outreach Events and Training for non-OSHA Staff: Alliance Program participant or OSHA participation in events, which includes speeches/presentations, exhibits, roundtables, conferences, informational webinars or other meetings or training in support of the Alliance or an OSHA initiative.

   Activity Type	Date	Event Name	Representative Name(s) and Affiliation(s)	Title Of Presentation (if applicable)	City	State	Emphasis Area(s)*	Number Reached (numeric value)
   Training/Meeting	10/29/2020	Louisville - FFSHC and Middle Tennessee –FFSHC conducted a joint meeting	The EKU - OTIEC facilitated a virtual training session/meeting for the Louisville and Middle Tennessee – FFSHCs	Fatigue management and managing risk associated with fatigue, particularly in pandemic situations.	Louisville Nashville	KY TN	COVID-19 Pandemic, Federal Workers and Safety and Health Programs	30 attendees
   Training/Meeting	11/11/2020	North Carolina - FFSHC	The Southeastern OTIEC at NCSU facilitated a virtual training session/meeting with the North Carolina –FFSHC via Zoom.	COVID-19 in the Workplace	Raleigh	NC	COVID-19 Pandemic, Federal Workers and Safety and Health Programs	41 attendees
   Training/Meeting	3/9/2021	Louisville FFSHC and Middle Tennessee –FFSHC Joint Meeting	The VSCC - OTIEC provided the MS Teams video conference platform for the joint meeting between The Middle Tennessee – FFSHC and the Louisville – FFSHC.	Safety and Health	Louisville Nashville	KY TN	Federal Workers and Safety and Health Programs	124 attendees
   Training/Meeting	4/22/2021	Louisville FFSHC and Middle Tennessee –FFSHC Joint Meeting	The EKU - OTIEC facilitated a virtual training session/meeting for the Louisville and Middle Tennessee –FFSHCs	Laser Safety	Louisville Nashville	KY TN	Federal Workers and Safety and Health Programs	30 attendees
   Training/Meeting	5/18/2021	North Carolina -FFSHC	The Southeastern OTIEC at NCSU facilitated a virtual training session/meeting with the North Carolina –FFSHC via Zoom.	Safety climate vs Safety Culture	Raleigh	NC	Federal Workers and Safety and Health Programs	41 attendees
   Training/Meeting	6/1/2021	Atlanta – FFSHC Coastal Empire - FFSHC	The Atlanta – FFSHC led a virtual safety and health fair, which featured a wide range of presenters from the private and public sector, including the Georgia Tech OTIEC. Members of the Coastal Empire – FFSHC, which is located in Savannah, GA, also participated.	Federal Workers and the COVID-19 Pandemic	Atlanta Savannah	GA GA	COVID-19 Pandemic, Federal Workers and Safety and Health Programs	200+ attendees
   Training/Meeting	6/24/2021	Louisville FFSHC and Middle Tennessee –FFSHC Joint Meeting	The EKU - OTIEC facilitated a virtual training session/meeting for the Louisville and Middle Tennessee –FFSHCs	Active Shooter	Louisville Nashville	KY TN	Federal Workers and Safety and Health Programs	33 attendees
   Training/Meeting	9/16/2021	Louisville FFSHC and Middle Tennessee –FFSHC Joint Meeting	The EKU - OTIEC facilitated a virtual training session/meeting for the Louisville and Middle Tennessee –FFSHCs	Fire Safety Presentation	Louisville Nashville	KY TN	Federal Workers and Safety and Health Programs	12 attendees

   Report prepared by Tom Bosley, Region IV Alliance Coordinator, Atlanta Regional Office