Alliance -- An OSHA Cooperative Program<< Back to Region II


  1. Alliance Background

    Date Originally Signed

    November 21, 2005

    Date Renewed

    May 13, 2008

    Evaluation Period

    This evaluation report covers Alliance activity from December 20, 2007 (date of the last report) to July 6, 2009. The report was due May 13, 2009; however, other priority duties prevented timely completion.

    Overview

    This Alliance focuses on the needs of small and large business in the Middlesex County area. It formalizes a cooperative relationship between the Middlesex Regional Chamber and OSHA to provide leadership and guidance to help foster a culture of worker health and safety, hazard and accident prevention. It seeks to impart a sharing of technical knowledge of OSHA standards, regulations, guidelines, procedures and general methods to improve worker safety and health, as well as encourage employer development of safety and health programs.

    Implementation Team Members

    OSHA:
    Mike Yarnell, Compliance Assistance Specialist – Avenel, NJ Area Office

    MRCC:
    Chris Phelan, Chamber President until September 25, 2008

    Note: A new President was selected in mid-May, 2009; Kathryn Wilson. I am currently involved in making plans to meet her, some time in August to discuss next steps in implementing the Alliance.

     
  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    There has been frequent and regular communication regarding planned events for this year and follow-up conversation regarding each event. Face-to-face meetings occurred on March 4, 2008, August 25, 2008 and April 8, 2009.

     
  3. Results
     
    • Events

      On May 13, 2008, the Alliance was renewed with more emphasis on safety and health programs. We were given an opportunity to encourage the development of these programs before the entire Chamber Board of Directors.
      On May 21 and 22, 2008, I participated in the NJBIZ expo at Raritan Center with the MCRCC. This event is attended by hundreds of New Jersey businessmen.

      On September 16, 2008, I and John Rhodes, Safety Compliance Officer manned a booth at the Largest Networking Party, the principal annual event of the MRCC. This event was extremely well attended and we distributed hundreds of publications as well as provided many verbal interpretations of OSHA standards.

      On September 25, 2008, I attended Chris Phelan’s send-off. Many major community leaders also attended the event, and the OSHA Alliance was highlighted as one of the past President’s major achievements.
       
    • Outreach and Communication

      When I meet with the new President, we will plan another session for the Chamber’s monthly Human Resource meeting, likely discussing safety and health programs and including the NJDOLWD free on-site consultation.

      The Chamber has also requested that our Regional Administrator, Bob Kulick, address one of the Leadership Luncheons, given at the Hyatt Regency in downtown New Brunswick. These luncheons typically have attendance of over 75 community business leaders.
       
    • Products

      Each month I send an edited electronic copy of our Quick Takes. These appear in the MCRCC e-blast that is forwarded to all member organizations. This is an effective way to keep members apprised of the latest happenings in OSHA.
       
  4. Impact – for the evaluation period
     
    Type of Activity (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.) Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
     
    NJBIZ Expo – May 21 & 22, 2008 Over 350 attendees
    Largest Networking Party – September XX, 2008 Over 1200 attendees
    Chris Phelan’s send-off 50 attendees
    Quick Takes included in the monthly MCRCC e-blast Unknown; there are over 1500 member organizations
    TOTAL 1600 known

     
  5. Upcoming Milestones

    I will continue working with the Chamber to coordinate and provide technical assistance to the small and large business community. Upcoming planning meeting will further direct the future of this Alliance.