I. Alliance Background
Date Signed
July 23, 2003
Overview
Recognizing the value of enhancing public safety through quality testing, OSHA and ACIL formed an
Alliance to use their collective expertise to help increase awareness of OSHA’s Nationally
Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) program that is a part of OSHA’s Directorate of Science,
Technology, and Medicine (DSTM). The OSHA recognized laboratories determine if equipment and
products that are specified in the Agency’s regulations meet consensus-based safety standards and
can be used safely in the workplace. A NRTL puts its nationally registered mark on the products it
tests, which certifies that they meet OSHA-endorsed standards.
Implementation Team Members
| OSHA |
|
| |
|
Maryann Garrahan
Sally Grady
Rick Harris
Karen Heckman
Bob Isiminger
John Linkletter
Long Loo
Jess McCluer
Sherrey Nicolas
Bernard Pasquet
Lisa Ramber
David Wallis |
Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine (DSTM)
DSTM
Office of Outreach Services and Alliances (OOSA)
Office of Training and Education (OTE)
Directorate of Standards and Guidance (DSG)
OTE
DSG
OOSA*
DSTM
DSTM
OOSA**
DSG |
| |
|
| ACIL: |
|
| |
|
Joan Cassedy
Len Frier |
Executive Director
MET Laboratories |
*July 29, 2003- November 14, 2003
**October 8, 2003 - July 23, 2004
Evaluation Period
July 23, 2003 – July 23, 2004
II. Implementation Team Meetings
July 23, 2003
October 8, 2003
November 14, 2003
June 17, 2004 |
Kick off meeting
Team Meeting
Team Meeting
Team Meeting |
III. Activities and Products
- Events and Products
Training and Education Goal
- Review existing OSHA training programs and determine where information on the NRTL program can be
incorporated into the curriculum.
Products
OSHA PowerPoint® Presentations
ACIL reviewed and provided comments on three OSHA PowerPoint® presentations that are used by OTE in
its courses on the topics: Electrical Hazards, Hazardous Materials for general audiences and
Hazardous Materials for specific audiences.
Outreach and Communication Goals
- Develop and disseminate information through print and electronic media, including links from
OSHA’s and ACIL’s Web sites.
Products
OSHA and ACIL Alliance Web Page
OSHA developed an OSHA and ACIL Alliance Web page on the Agency’s Web site. The Web page includes a
copy of the OSHA and ACIL Alliance agreement, a photograph of the signing ceremony, news releases and
activities and events; products and resources; and milestones and successes.
NRTL Certification Marks Card
The OSHA and ACIL implementation team have been working on the development of a laminated pocket
card, bearing the NRTL certification marks from each of the testing laboratories. The card is
intended to be used as an informational resource for students who attend OSHA’s Training Institute
courses and the Agency’s National, Regional and Area Offices’ staff.
Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories, Safety and Health Topics Page
Representatives from the ACIL Alliance implementation team reviewed and shared comments with OSHA’s
Salt Lake Technical Center (SLTC) regarding the content of OSHA’s Nationally Recognized Testing
Laboratories, Safety and Health Topics page. The following ACIL representative is a member of the
page’s editorial board:
- Joan Cassedy, Executive Director, ACIL
- Speak, exhibit, or appear at conferences, local meetings, or other events to raise awareness of
the NRTL program, such as the ACIL Mid-Winter Meeting and meetings of the American Council for
Electrical Safety (ACES). Bernard gave a presentation and participated in a question and answer
session.
Events
American Council for Electrical Safety (ACES) Meetings
Through the Alliance, OSHA Alliance Implementation Team member Bernard Pasquet has attended biannual
ACES meetings, organized by ACIL, on November 13, 2003 and April 15, 2004 in Baltimore, MD. He gave
informal talks on issues and topics of interest to the NRTL Program and participated in question and
answer sessions immediately following his discussions.
- Develop informational materials and cross-train OSHA personnel and industry safety and health
professionals on the NRTL program and the products and equipment that are required to have a mark.
The OSHA and ACIL Alliance Implementation Team has not started work on programs or projects to
address this goal.
Promoting the National Dialogue Goals:
- Providing stakeholders with information and guidance on the purpose and requirements of the NRTL program.
The OSHA and ACIL Alliance Implementation Team has not started work on programs or projects to
address this goal.
- Raising awareness and understanding of the value of the NRTLs marks on safety products and equipment.
Products
Article: OSHA Requirements for Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory Approval of Products
In December 2003, OSHA with collaboration from ACIL members produced an article entitled: OSHA
Requirements for Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory Approval of Products, written by Bernard
Pasquet, OSHA, Office of Technical Programs and Coordination Activities, DSTM. It discusses the
processes that are used to certify electrical products as safe to use in the workplace. The article
also provides information on the eighteen NRTL and OSHA’s certification process. The article is
located on OSHA's Safety and Health Topics page; Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories, and
linked to the OSHA and ACIL Alliance Web page.
- Raise awareness of the NRTL program when ACIL’s leaders address groups.
The OSHA and ACIL Alliance Implementation Team has not started work on programs or projects to
address this goal.
- Participate together in forums to promote the value of workplace safety.
The OSHA and ACIL Alliance Implementation Team has not started work on programs or projects to
address this goal.
- Encourage ACIL’s members to act as liaisons and resources for OSHA’s cooperative programs.
The OSHA and ACIL Alliance Implementation Team has not started work on programs or projects to
address this goal.
- Executive Summary
In July 2003, OSHA formed a national Alliance with ACIL to help increase awareness of the Agency's
NRTL program. Through the Alliance, OSHA and ACIL are working together to reach out to, educate, and
train employers and employees about the NRTL program and its value in workplace safety.
During this first year of the Alliance, OSHA and ACIL established a working relationship. OSHA and
ACIL worked together to develop an article on the processes NRTLs use to certify electrical products
as safe to use in the workplace and to update the NTRL Safety and Health Topics page. In addition,
Joan Cassedy became a member of the editorial board for the NTRL Safety and Health Topics page. ACIL
has also provided its expertise to OSHA by reviewing OSHA PowerPoint® presentations used for
training purposes.
The implementation team is discussing the development of a laminated card with information and
samples of all of the certification marks from each NRTL. The card could be distributed to OSHA
personnel.
- Alliance Program Reach
| Type of Activity (Conference,
Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.) |
Number of Individuals Reached or
Trained |
| July 29, 2003 – "OSHA Aligns with American Council of
Independent Laboratories - Focus on agency's Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory program,"
OSHA News Release |
25 News Services |
| July 29, 2003 - "Signing Ceremony Cements Alliance
Between OSHA and ACIL," ACIL News Release |
175 News Services |
| August 1, 2003 – "Two More Organizations Sign
Alliances with OSHA," OSHA QuickTakes |
36,200 |
| August 1, 2003 – "OSHA Inks Two More Alliances,"
Industrial Safety and Hygiene News, insideishn.com |
Data not available |
| August 4, 2003 – "OSHA Forges Alliance To Increase
Awareness Of Testing Laboratories Program," InsideHealthPolicy.com |
Data not available |
| December 15, 2003 – "NRTL Program Aims for Product
Safety in the Workplace," OSHA QuickTakes |
40,000 |
| December 15, 2003 – "OSHA Requirements for Nationally
Recognized Testing Laboratory Approval of Products," OSHA article on the NRTL Program |
Data not available |
| OSHA and ACIL Alliance Web page |
4,800 |
| NRTL Safety and Health Topics Page |
30,000 |
| TOTAL |
110,200 |
IV. Upcoming Milestones
In the upcoming year, OSHA and ACIL will continue its working relationship and collaborate on a
number of projects to support the Alliance agreement.
OSHA and ACIL will finalize efforts to develop a laminated card for posting on OSHA’s Web page and
distribution to OSHA staff. The laminated card is intended to inform the public and OSHA staff about
the NRTL certification marks.
ACIL Executive Director Joan Cassedy will also continue to be a member of the Nationally Recognized
Testing Laboratory Safety and Health Topics page’s editorial board.
OSHA and ACIL will consider opportunities to promote and educate others on the NRTL program through
speaking or exhibiting opportunities at local meetings or events, such as the ACES meeting in
Baltimore, Maryland on April 14, 2005. Implementation team member, Maryann Garrahan has been invited
to make a presentation to ACES members on OSHA’s proposed SNAP policy.
Report prepared by: Richard L. Harris, Alliance Coordinator, Office of Outreach Services Alliances,
April 6, 2005
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