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Mechanical Contractors Association/
United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters

ALLIANCE ANNUAL REPORT
January 23, 2006
I. Alliance Background

Date Signed

November 3, 2004

Overview

To promote discussions on workplace safety and health, the Mechanical Contractors Association (MCA), United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA) and OSHA’s Seattle office will share information, convene forums on injury and illness trends and develop models OSHA can incorporate as industry recommendations.

Implementation Team Members

Mark Gauger – MCA
Steve Gossman – OSHA
Jim Moss – UA Local 32
Phil Wells – UA Local 36

Contributors

N/A

Evaluation Period

November 2004 – December 31, 2005

II. Implementation Team Meetings

A meeting was held on January 25, 2005, at the MCA office to discuss and set goals for the alliance. Additional planning meetings were held on:

05/25/2005 - at the MCA office
07/27/2005 - at the MCA office
09/28/2005 - at the MCA office

III. Events and Products

Training and Education
  • Events

    We are working on a project to identify the most serious airborne hazards during field welding. We have met several times to discuss and plan this activity. OSHA contacted NIOSH and got them involved in the project. NIOSH conducted a literature search and provided several documents on welding hazards to OSHA. We provided copies of these to the MCA safety committee members. Our next step is to identify welding processes and conditions where the welding fumes are the hardest to control and to perform monitoring. OSHA and NIOSH will work jointly to perform monitoring and gather data that will allow MCA to identify the exposure potential. Based on this information, MCA will develop procedures and training materials to better protect employees from welding fume exposures.
     
  • Products

    Products were not developed and were not part of this alliance.
Outreach and Communication
  • Events

    OSHA participates in the MCA’s safety steering committee meetings.

  • Products

    Products were not developed and were not part of this alliance.
Promoting the National Dialogue on Workplace Safety and Health
  • Events

    N/A

  • Products

    Products were not developed and were not part of this alliance.
IV. Results

OSHA’s interaction with MCA and UA Locals 26 and 32 has led to better and more frequent communication between the partners which leads to better understanding of the standards and safer work sites.
 
Type of Activity (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.) Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
Participate in Safety Steering Committee Meeting 10
TOTAL 10

V. Upcoming Milestones

We plan on doing welding fume monitoring and developing best practices for outdoor field welding and conducting training on the best practices. The renewal for this alliance has been submitted to MCA, and the union and is awaiting signature.

Page last updated: 04/16/2010