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Dr. David Michaels (center), Assistant Secretary, USDOL-OSHA, with APCA Alliance members Marilyn Cole, Consultant, APCA, and John Fluharty, President, APCA, at the OSHA and APCA Alliance Renewal Signing Ceremony, Department of Labor on January 30, 2012.

Through the OSHA and APCA Alliance, the organizations will work together to provide the association's members and others in the pipeline construction industry, including small businesses and non-English and limited English speaking employees, with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety. The Alliance will particularly address reducing and preventing exposure to equipment operation (e.g. bulldozer, excavator and sideboom), trenching and excavation and hydrostatic testing hazards. The Alliance's goals include:

Raising awareness of OSHA's rulemaking and enforcement initiatives:

• To share information on occupational safety and health laws and standards, including the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers.
• To convene or participate in forums, roundtable discussions, or stakeholder meetings on equipment operation (e.g., bulldozer, excavator, and sideboom), trenching and excavation, hydrostatic testing hazards, and issues related to small businesses, distracted driving, and non-English and limited-English-speaking workers to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.

Outreach and communication:

• 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 APCA's Web sites) to employers and workers in the industry.
• To speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or APCA's conferences, local meetings, or other events such as the APCA Annual Meeting.

Milestones and Successes

• American Pipeline Contractors Association Alliance Milestones and Successes (2008, April).

Related Documents

Alliance Agreements

• Agreement signed January 25, 2007.
• Renewal Agreement signed February 25, 2009.
• Renewal Agreement signed January 30, 2012.

Alliance Annual Reports

• Alliance Annual Report 2007-2008, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances.
• Alliance Annual Report 2008-2009, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances.
• Alliance Annual Report 2009-2010, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances.
• Alliance Annual Report 2010-2011, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances.

Alliance News Releases

• OSHA Signs New Alliance with Pipeline Contractors. OSHA News Release (2007, January 25).
• Trenching and excavation among the hazards addressed in a renewed Alliance between OSHA and the American Pipeline Contractors Assoc. OSHA News Release (2009, March 11).
• OSHA and the American Pipeline Contractors Association renew Alliance to protect safety, health of workers in the pipeline industry. OSHA News Release (2012, January 30).

• May 5-11, 2013: 2013 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week. The American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance and a number of other Alliance Program participants support 2013 NAOSH Week. Sponsored annually by the American Society of Safety Engineers and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, the Week focuses on the importance of preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace. 2013 Theme: "Worker Safety Works for Everyone."
• May 6-12, 2012: 2012 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week. The American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) and a number of other Alliance Program participants support 2012 NAOSH Week. Sponsored annually by ASSE and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, the Week focuses on the importance of preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace. 2012 Theme: "Safety, What Every Business Needs."
• June 12-15, 2011. ASSE Annual Professional Development Conference (PDC), Safety 2011, Chicago, Illinois.
  • June 15, 2011: Elizabeth Way, Director, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, Directorate of Cooperative and State Plans, USDOL-OSHA; Diana M. Cortez, Area Director, Region II, Tarrytown, New York Area Office, USDOL-OSHA; Marilyn Cole, Consultant, American Pipeline Contractors Association; and Elisonia Valle, Assistant Manager to Human Resources, Wenner Breads, Inc., will present "Safety and Health Resources for Diverse Workforces."
• May 1-7, 2011: 2011 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week. The American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) and a number of other Alliance Program participants supported 2011 NAOSH Week. Sponsored annually by the American Society of Safety Engineers, an Alliance Program participant, and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, the Week focuses on the importance of preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace. The theme for 2011 was "Celebrating a Century of Safety."

Products and Resources

• Alliance Program Participant Background

Alliance Program Participant Developed Products

Best Practices Fact Sheets

• Locating Underground Lines [English PDF^* - 138 KB, Spanish PDF^* - 92 KB]. Through the OSHA and American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, APCA developed a fact sheet addressing issues associated with locating and identifying underground pipelines/utilities before beginning an excavation. (2012, July; Spanish Translation March 2013)
• Backhoe Operation Best Practices for Supervisory Personnel and Operators [English PDF^* - 154 KB, Spanish PDF^* - 112 KB]. Through the OSHA and American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, APCA developed a fact sheet addressing issues associated with the operation of backhoe equipment such as pre-and post-operation procedures and safe operation considerations. (2008, February; Spanish Translation 2009, March)
• Dozer Operation Best Practices for Supervisory Personnel and Operators [English PDF^* - 150 KB, Spanish PDF^* - 124 KB]. Through the OSHA and American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, APCA developed a fact sheet addressing issues associated with the operation of dozer equipment such as pre-and post-operation procedures and safe operation considerations. (2008, February; Spanish Translation 2009, March)
• Excavation and Trenching Best Practices for Operators [English PDF^* - 146 KB, Spanish PDF^* - 121 KB]. Through the OSHA and American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, APCA developed a fact sheet addressing issues associated with excavation and trenching activities such as worksite preparation, personal protective equipment, and collapse prevention. (2008, February; Spanish Translation 2009, March)
• Excavation and Trenching Best Practices for Supervisory Personnel [English PDF^* - 142 KB, Spanish PDF^* - 117 KB]. Through the OSHA and American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, APCA developed a fact sheet addressing issues associated with supervision of workers who are engaged in excavation and trenching activities such as worksite preparation, personal protective equipment, and collapse prevention. (2008, February; Spanish Translation 2009, March)
• Excavator Operation Best Practices for Supervisory Personnel, Operators, and Workers [English PDF^* - 157 KB, Spanish PDF^* - 157 KB]. Through the OSHA and American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, APCA developed a fact sheet addressing issues associated with the operation of excavation equipment such as pre-and post-operation procedures, safe operation considerations, and supervisory recommendations. (2008, February; Spanish Translation 2009, March)
• Horizontal Directional Drilling Best Practices for Operators [English PDF^* - 145 KB, Spanish PDF^* -120 KB]. Through the OSHA and American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, APCA a fact sheet addressing issues associated with the operation of horizontal directional drilling equipment such as pre-and post-operation procedures and safe operation considerations. (2008, February; Spanish Translation 2009, March)
• Horizontal Directional Drilling Best Practices for Supervisory Personnel [English PDF^* - 143 KB, Spanish PDF^* - 104 KB]. Through the OSHA and American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, APCA a fact sheet addressing issues associated with supervision of workers who are engaged in the operation of horizontal directional drilling equipment such as pre-and post-operation procedures and safe operation considerations. (2008, February; Spanish Translation 2009, March)
• Pressure Testing Best Practices for Personnel Conducting the Test [English PDF^* - 140 KB, Spanish PDF^* - 116 KB]. Through the OSHA and American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, APCA developed a fact sheet addressing issues associated with pressure testing activities such as pre-test preparation, connection hazards, and worker protection. (2008, February; Spanish Translation 2009, March)
• Pressure Testing Best Practices for Supervisory Personnel [English PDF^* - 139 KB, Spanish PDF^* - 115 KB]. Through the OSHA and American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, APCA developed a fact sheet addressing issues associated with the supervision of workers who are engaged in pressure testing activities such as pre-test planning, leak testing, and test medium disposal. (2008, February; Spanish Translation 2009, March)
• Sideboom Operation Best Practices for Supervisory Personnel, Operators, and Workers [English PDF^* - 156 KB, Spanish PDF^* - 154 KB]. Through the OSHA and American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, APCA developed a fact sheet addressing issues associated with the operation of sideboom equipment such as understanding sideboom operational/equipment requirements and safe operation considerations. (2008, February; Spanish Translation 2009, March)

Toolbox Talks

• Distracted Driving. [PDF^* - 116 KB]. Through the OSHA and American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, APCA developed a toolbox talk on distracted driving, including the types of distractions and common distractions, such as texting. (2012, September)
• Working Around Heavy Equipment [PDF^* - 103 KB]. Through the OSHA and American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, APCA developed a toolbox talk addressing issues associated with working in the “Danger Zone” around heavy equipment such as blind spots, rotating machinery, overhead hazards, and swing radius. (2010, December)
• Working in Close Proximity to Overhead Power Lines [PDF^* - 108 KB]. Through the OSHA and American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, APCA developed a toolbox talk to emphasize steps to prevent workers from contacting and safety procedures workers can take if contact is made with an overhead power line. (2010, December)
• Tool Box Safety Topic: The Spotter [English PDF^* - 225 KB; Spanish PDF^* - 230 KB]. Through the OSHA and American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, APCA developed a toolbox talk addressing issues associated with the use of spotters such as when to use a spotter, equipment operator and spotter responsibilities, and hand signals. (2010, July; Spanish Translation 2012, October)
• Tool Box Safety Topic: Bloodborne Pathogens [English PDF^* - 225 KB, Spanish PDF^* - 132 KB]. Through the OSHA and American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, APCA developed a toolbox talk addressing issues associated with bloodborne pathogens such as personal protective equipment, cleaning and sanitizing the workplace, and waste handling. (2009, December; Spanish Translation 2010, December)
• Tool Box Safety Topic: Confined Spaces [English PDF^* - 3 MB, Spanish PDF^* - 262 KB]. Through the OSHA and American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, APCA developed a toolbox talk addressing issues associated with confined spaces such atmospheric hazards and permit required spaces. (2009, December; Spanish Translation 2010, December)
• Tool Box Safety Topic: Electrical Safety [English PDF* - 415 KB; Spanish PDF* - 609 KB]. Through the OSHA and American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, APCA developed a toolbox talk addressing issues associated with electrical safety such as the most frequent causes of electrical injuries and ground fault protection. (2009, December; Spanish Translation 2012, October)
• Tool Box Safety Topic: Abrasive (Sand) Blasting [PDF^* - 166 KB]. Through the OSHA and American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, APCA developed a toolbox talk addressing issues associated with abrasive blasting activities such as respirators, air supply, and compressors. (2009, October)
• Tool Box Safety Topic: Excavation and Trenching [English PDF* - 165 KB; Spanish PDF* - 880 KB]. Through the OSHA and American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, APCA developed a toolbox talk addressing issues associated with excavation and trenching activities such as cave in hazards, competent person, and occupied excavation. (2009, October; Spanish Translation 2012, October)
• Tool Box Safety Topic: Hazard Communication [PDF^* - 182 KB]. Through the OSHA and American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, APCA developed a toolbox talk addressing hazard communication issues such as hazardous materials written programs, material safety data sheets, respirators, and hazardous materials identification systems. (2009, October; Revised 2013, February)
• Tool Box Safety Topic: Personal Protective Equipment [English PDF^* - 176 KB, Spanish PDF^* - 158 KB]. Through the OSHA and American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, APCA developed a toolbox talk addressing personal protective equipment issues such as eye protection, foot protection, and hearing protection. (2009, October; Spanish Translation 2011, February).
• Tool Box Safety Topic: Respiratory Protection [English PDF^* - 102 KB, Spanish PDF^* - 161 KB]. Through the OSHA and American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, APCA developed a toolbox talk addressing issues associated with respiratory protection such respiratory protection written programs and respirator use. (2009, October; Spanish Translation 2011, February).

Safety and Health Topics Pages

• Asbestos^**

Publications and Newsletters

• Underground Construction, March 2007. The pipeline contractor industry's publication, Underground Contractor, includes an article, "OSHA Signs New Alliance with APCA," that discusses the signing and goals of the OSHA/APCA Alliance.

Additional Resources

• Alliance Program Construction Roundtable. Through the Alliance Program's Construction Roundtable and its Design for Safety and Fall Protection Workgroups, a number of products and resources have been developed for the construction industry.
• Preventing Fatal Falls in Construction. Provides links to OSHA tools and resources to help prevent construction-related falls.
• APCA/OSHA Alliance page

^**Alliance Implementation Team members serve on the editorial board.

Areas of Emphasis

• Construction
• Immigrant Employers and Workers
• Small Businesses

Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs at 202-693-2200 for assistance accessing PDF materials.

^*These files are provided for downloading.