Region 6 - Alliance Annual Report - May 3, 2014

ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT
U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Baton Rouge Area Office
And
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Pelican Chapter
May 3, 2014

  1. Alliance Background

    1. Date Signed

      May 03, 2012

    2. Evaluation Period

      May 3, 2013 to May 3, 2014

    3. Overview

      The Alliance with the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Pelican Chapter was established to create a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful workplaces. The goals of the Alliance are to be achieved through sharing information, providing guidance, and access to training resources to protect employees' health and safety. Particular focus is to be paid to reducing and preventing exposure to struck-by, falls, caught-in-between and electrical hazards and addressing construction and industrial contractor issues.

      ABC is a national trade association with 72 chapters representing 22,000 members from more than 19,000 construction and industry-related firms. The ABC, Pelican Chapter was incorporated and developed in April 1980, around the need to adequately service the construction industry throughout Louisiana.

      The Chapter's Safety Committee is responsible for continually updating the membership on any new or revised standards and regulations, to provide oversight and review on all Pelican Chapter safety training, to promote the ABC National Safety Training and Evaluation Process (S.T.E.P.) Awards program, and to maintain the Alliance with OSHA. The Pelican Chapter Safety Committee comprises the largest concentration of contractor safety professionals in the region, and through the Alliance has a mission of supporting the industry through outreach efforts.

    4. Implementation Team Members

      Paul Higdon
      Chairman, ABC-Pelican Chapter Safety Committee
      Rusty Newman
      Vice Chair, ABC – Pelican Chapter Safety Committee
      Alexander Novas
      Compliance Assistance Specialist, OSHA, Baton Rouge Area Office

  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    The Safety Committee members and officers meet monthly to discuss the progress of the Alliance and topical information covering industry's safety and health concerns. The monthly meetings commonly feature a guest speaker on a selected safety and health topic relevant to the group. Activities and products of the Alliance are planned and coordinated at the monthly meetings. OSHA Representation normally fields a variety of questions from industry professionals regarding regulatory implementation and compliance in an open discussion format.

  3. Events and Products

    Training and Education

    • At the conclusion of the reporting period, a Fall Protection spring seminar was in the final planning stages. The seminar will serve to prepare employers for the national fall protection stand-down, June 2-6, 2014, providing employers with information and training materials to conduct stand-down meetings at their work sites and facilities. The seminar will be attended by chapter and non-chapter members and their employees. Attendance for the seminar promoted through several organizations, flyers and email invitations.

    Outreach and Communication

    • OSHA publications and update information were provided at each committee meeting for distribution to employees by committee and chapter members.
    • Outreach was provided to the High Schools trades' education programs, craft competitions, and career development. Tours were conducted of craft training at adopted high schools, advising faculty of any physical safety concerns identified in the instructional facilities, and occasionally presenting basic industry safety information to high school students.
    • A Safety evaluation of the Pelican Craft Training Center was conducted during each spring and fall semester.
    • Outreach assistance was provided to chapter member companies participating in the National ABC STEP Award Process.

    Promoting the National Dialogue on Workplace Safety and Health

    • The ABC Pelican Safety Committee annually recognizes Workers' Memorial Day and communicates related information to all regional industry personnel.

  4. Results

    The ABC, Pelican Chapter Members continue to have access to a greater amount of outreach information and publications and are made aware of the continued efforts of OSHA to reach at-risk industries by sharing current events, safety alerts and best practices.

    These tables are best viewed on tablets, notebooks, or desktop computer screens.

    Type of Activity Number of Individuals Reached or Trained Topic(s)
    May 2013 Meeting 15 Construction Coalition for a Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace; National Craft Competition
    June 2013 Meeting 20 I2P2 Injury/Illness Prevention Health Program; NCCER "Knowledge Verified vs. Certified"
    July 2013 Meeting 11 Alliance annual report submitted. State convention, July 24-27.
    August 2013 Meeting 17 Legislative Conference; Fall Semester begins
    September 2013 Meeting 14 Crane procedures and process; STEP.JSA for ABC
    October 2013 Meeting 14 Discussion/Planning for spring seminar for 2014
    November 2013 Meeting 8 Open enrollment Nov.4, ICC Lunch Nov.18
    December 2013 Meeting 11 NCCER Scaffold Building, Near Miss added to agenda for discussion.
    January 2014 Meeting 15 Constructor Safety Award Nominations; Westlake Chemical explosion
    January 14, 2014 50 BRAO-CAS, OSHA Introduction presentation for NCCER training course
    February 2014 Meeting 19 Safety Audit; Introduction of new OSHA-BRAO, VPP Coordinator.
    February 21, 2013: ABC Craft Competition 31 Committee led evaluation of the Pelican Chapter training facility.
    February 27, 2014 Training Center Safety Evaluation 900 Provide Safety Judges, Oversight and First-Aid Stand-By.
    March 2014 Meeting 12 STEP deadline
    March 6, 2014 100 BRAO-CAS, outreach at Future Farmers of America, career development event.
    April 3, 2014 100 BRAO-CAS, outreach for State Craft Competition.
    April 26, 2014 17 Outreach: Peer Coaching, Model policy and program support information
    March 28, 2013 STEP Award Submittal Deadline 31 Companies completing and submitting self evaluation against STEP Award criteria for recognition.
    May 2014 Meeting 14 Safety Audit.
    TOTAL 1,399  

  5. Upcoming Milestones

    The Alliance plans to continue to strive to meet the goals for the next evaluation year and renewal of the Alliance.

    • Continue Monthly Safety Committee Meetings
    • Continue To Provide Outreach to Regional High School Craft Programs
    • Consider a method of capturing number of safety contacts and number of students contacted for more accurate annual report.
    • Continue to provide ABC Training Facility Safety Evaluation each semester.
    • Increase STEP Award Participation: Promotion & Outreach
    • Conduct One Safety Seminar: New Emerging, Focus Four, Fall Protection or Other Safety Topic.
    • List major planned activities, products and issues that the Alliance plans to work on during the next reporting period, including plans for renewal.