ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT

THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BIRMINGHAM and MOBILE, ALABAMA, AREA OFFICES
AND
THE ALABAMA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION
WORKERS COMPENSATION FUND

May 3, 2018

1. Alliance Background

   1. Date Signed:

      February 20, 2009

      Renewal Dates:

      • January 27, 2012
      • February 6, 2014
      • April 26, 2016

   2. Evaluation Period

      May 4, 2017 through May 3, 2018

   3. Overview

      The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Alabama Trucking Association Workers' Compensation Fund (ATAWCF) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. The Alliance was formed and continues to be effective by focusing on reducing and preventing exposure to hazards on the highway, at pick-up and delivery points, as well as maintenance shops for ATAWCF members, representing nearly 434 (Alabama and 37 States outside of Alabama) individually owned companies engaged in operations as a Motor Carrier, For-Hire/Private Carrier, Allied, Warehousing, Beer Distributors or Household Movers.

   4. Implementation Team Members

      OSHA

      James Cooley, Compliance Assistance Specialist (CAS), Birmingham Area Office

      Alliance participant

      Kimble Coaker, CEO - ATAWCF
      Don Anchors, Director of Loss Control & Safety - ATAWCF

2. Implementation Team Meetings

   During the period from May 2017 to May 2018, the implementation team conducted at least two Alliance meetings. Due to the OSHA Area Office's distance from ATAWCF communication between OSHA and the ATAWCF are frequently conducted by telephone and email. Concerns addressed during these contacts have focused on the following: controlling worker exposure to hazardous conditions (including amputations, workplace fall hazards; protection requirements for emergency service repair employees; as well as tarping trucks); OSHA recordkeeping requirements; conducting an establishment search on the OSHA public page; and ergonomic hazards within the trucking industry.

   • 05/02/2018; 03/05/2018; 10/17/2017; 04/12/2018; 12/18/2017; and 09/13/2018

3. Results

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

   The ATAWCF currently has 4 Loss Control Consultants that conduct numerous safety inspections, on-site safety meetings (drivers and management) along with one-on-one meetings with owners/executives to obtain commitment for safety initiative implementation. Claim analytics are presented and utilized where deemed appropriate to identify loss trends and demographics so that action plans/initiatives can be developed and implemented. Safety plans/initiatives include items such as: proper hiring procedures, safety policies/procedures, return to work, accident investigation, safety inspections and safety meetings. The ATAWCF also conducts on-site hazard recognition surveys (shops, warehouses, manufacturing plants), as well as, safety meetings on the following topics: safe forklift operation; slip, trip and fall prevention; proper lifting techniques, lockout/tagout, bloodborne pathogen; as well as OSHA's Heat Illness Prevention; National Fall Prevention; and Safe & Sound Campaigns.

   Raising Awareness of OSHA's Rulemaking and Enforcement Initiatives: The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following goals related to raising awareness of OSHA's rulemaking and enforcement initiatives: Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions or stakeholder meetings on safety and health issues to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace to develop formal safety and health procedures to control hazards in the workplace.
   Activity Type	Activity Name/Summary	OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported	Number Reached
   Alliance Product	During this period, the ATAWCF Safety Newsletter was distributed to its members. The newsletter featured articles, which highlighted several OSHA-related topics such as the Alliance, Safe & Sound Campaign, and the OSHA recordkeeping requirements.	Fall Prevention, Transportation, Heat Illness Prevention, and Small Business	434 fund members (located in 38 states)
   Other	During this period, the ATAWCF promoted the Alliance during agency visits, new-prospect visits and Fund Member visits.	Fall Prevention, Transportation, Heat Illness Prevention, and Small Business	434 fund members
   Other	During this period, the ATAWCF revised its Certified Safety Program. A point weighted system is now in place to increase accountability regarding safety and health rules.	Fall Prevention, Transportation, Heat Illness Prevention, Ergonomic, Hazard Communication/Chemicals and Small Business	434 fund members
   Summary: The ATAWCF currently has four loss control consultants that conduct numerous safety inspections, on-site safety meetings (drivers and management) along with one-on-one meetings with owners/executives to obtain commitment for safety initiative implementation. The ATAWCF continues to share information regarding OSHA's regulations and reporting/recording requirements. They also developed and distributed compliance assistance materials for not only trucking exposures, but also for mechanic shops, warehousing, and manufacturing facilities.
   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 ATAWCF employees, association members and other regarding the following hazards: musculoskeletal stressors; struck-by incidents; chemical exposures; electrical shocks and burns; welding hazards; moving parts of machinery; slips; trips; and falls. To deliver or arrange for the delivery of courses, i.e., effective safety and health programs (management commitment and employee involvement, worksite analysis, hazard control and elimination, training), incident investigation, fall protection, hazard recognition, trend analysis.
   Activity Type	Activity Name/Summary	OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported	Number Reached
   Training	During this period, the ATAWCF coordinated its members participation in the following events: Loss Control/Claims Seminar Birmingham, AL Loss Control/Claims Seminar Montgomery, AL Loss Control/Claims Seminar Mobile, AL	Fall Prevention, Transportation, Heat Illness Prevention, and Small Business	58 fund members 31 fund members 28 fund members _________ Total: 117 members
   Training	During this period, the ATAWCF conducted an on-site safety training session/meeting. Training was conducted using a wide range of resources including the social media game Kahoot.	Fall Prevention, Transportation, Heat Illness Prevention, and Small Business	65 Fund Members
   Summary: The ATAWCF along with OSHA will continue to hold informational meetings on an annual basis to provide fund members with educational topics consistent with the Agency goals.
   Outreach and Communication:The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following training and education goals: To develop effective training and education programs for ATAWCF employees, association members and other regarding the following hazards: musculoskeletal stressors; struck-by incidents; chemical exposures; electrical shocks and burns; welding hazards; moving parts of machinery; slips; trips; and falls. To deliver or arrange for the delivery of courses, i.e., effective safety and health programs (management commitment and employee involvement, worksite analysis, hazard control and elimination, training), incident investigation, fall protection, hazard recognition, trend analysis.
   Activity Type	Activity Name/Summary	OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported	Number Reached
   Dissemination	During this period, the ATAWCF distributed a series of emails (Email Blast) to members and groups, which enhanced members awareness regarding the following topics: Winter driving Ergonomics Housekeeping Safe operation of vehicle (and fifth wheel pin pullers) Heat Illness Prevention Maintenance shop safety Forklift tarping device	Fall Prevention, Transportation, Heat Illness Prevention, Ergonomic, Hazard Communication/Chemicals and Small Business	434 fund members
   Summary: The ATAWCF continues to share information regarding OSHA's regulations and reporting/recording requirements. They also developed and distributed compliance assistance materials for not only trucking exposures, but also for mechanic shops, warehousing, and manufacturing facilities. The Birmingham Area Office's Compliance Assistance Specialist, working in conjunction with the Loss Control & Safety fund members, provides safety and health outreach material to assist in developing an effective worker training programs for fund members and staff.

4. Evaluations

   With the hiring of its additional loss control staff members the ATAWCF is better able to support the workforce and conduct effective safety and health evaluations.

5. Upcoming Milestones FY2018 – FY 2019

   • During this period, the ATAWCF will focus on re-branding, enhancing its website and expanding its interaction with OSHA.
   • During this period, the ATAWCF will continue to effectively promote OSHA's Heat Illness Prevention, Fall Prevention and Safe & Sound Campaigns.
   • The Alliance group will establish a steering committee focused on addressing the following trucking related issues: falls; forklift operations and ergonomics.
   • During this period, the ATAWCF will enhance its website to offer members safety videos via on-line streaming features.

Report prepared by: James S. Cooley, Alliance Coordinator, Compliance Assistance Specialist (CAS), Birmingham Area Office