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

  1. Alliance Background

    1. Date Signed

      June 24, 2004

    2. Dates Renewed

      August 25, 2006
      October 27, 2008

    3. Overview

      The main goal of the Alliance is to provide the SPPAPR members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees’ health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to safety and health hazards, such as those related to falls, confined spaces, indoor air quality, noise exposure, workplace violence and ergonomics and assist members and non-members implement effective accident prevention management systems.

    4. Implementation Team Members

      Madelline Medina, CAS, PRAO
      Carlos G. Lausell, SPPAPR 2009-2010 President
      Carmen J. Núñez, SPPAPR Vice-president
      Myriam S. Fuentes, Education Committee President
      Leticia Moctezuma, SPPAPR 2010-2011 President
      Lymari Orellana, Education Committee President

    5. Contributors

      Metropolitan University Institute of Environmental Education (INEDA, in Spanish), Atlantic OSHA Training Center (AOTC)
      Universidad de Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus (UPR-RP)
      Universidad Central de Bayamón (UCB)
      Puerto Rico Occupational Safety and Health Administration (PR OSHA)
      Puerto Rico Manufacturers’ Association (PRMA)

      Speakers:

      Dr. Carlos G. Lausell*, RPIH
      Dr. Roberto López*, Occupational Physician
      Dr. Milagros Gerena*, Occupational Physician
      Dr. Vicente López Hidalgo, Neuro-audiologist, Occupational Physician
      Dr. Ivis Figueroa, PHD, Environmental Sciences
      Dr. Elga Padilla*, RN, Occupational Nursing Association, President
      Dr. Hilda Díaz, DMD, Dentistry Associate Professor at RCM
      Dr. Carmen de Seda, State Epidemiologist, Health Department
      Dr. Flora Muñoz, Occupational Physician
      Mr. Eric C. Vega*, MSOSH
      Engr. César Noble*, Environmental, Health and Safety Manager
      Mrs. Carmen Vázquez*, UMET
      Prof. Jorge Ramos*, UPR, OPASO Director
      Engr. Douglas Andrews*, Heavy Cranes and Equipment, President
      Mr. Roland González*, Safety Construction Services, Co.

      *SPPAPR Professional Members

    6. Evaluation Period

      October 28, 2009 through October 28, 2010
  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    1. Dates:

      03-05-2010 (In person meeting at UPR Río Piedras)
      05-17-2010 (Written communication).
      06-18-2010 (In person meeting at PR OSHA)
      07-22-2010 (In person meeting at UPR Río Piedras)
      08-07-2010 (In person meeting at Puerto Rico Area Office - PRAO)
      09-13-2010 (In person meeting at UPR Río Piedras)
      10-15-2010 (In person meeting at PRAO)
  3. Events and Products

    1. Training and Education

      Goals:

      Develop and deliver training and education programs for the SPPAPR members and other safety and health professionals, regarding falls, confined spaces, indoor air quality, noise exposure, workplace violence, ergonomics, and/or others related safety and health issues, and to provide expertise in communicating such information to employers and employees in the industry.

      Deliver or arrange for the delivery of training and education courses focused on identification, control and management of job related hazards encountered in the construction and general industries.

      Events:

      To reach the proposed goals, the SPPAPR developed the following educational program:

      1. December 10-11-12, 2009

        As a member of the Alliance of Alliances with Puerto Rico Federal OSHA (APPA), SPPAPR members helped in the coordination and logistics of the 1st Safety and Health Conference of Puerto Rico.

        Over 250 copies of the Tu Sociedad Informa bulletin and other promotional literature of the society were distributed at the time.

      2. March 26, 2010

        As our first formal educational activity for this period, SPPAPR offered:

        Subject Speaker
        Fixed Ladders and Stairs Safety Mr. Roland González

        Audience: 25 Participants

        Over 30 copies of the Tu Sociedad Informa bulletin were distributed among participants.

        Continued Educational hour-credits were offered to members of the College of Engineers and Land surveyors of Puerto Rico (CIAPR), by the Division of Continued Education and Professional Studies (DECEP) of the University of Puerto Rico – Rio Piedras Campus (UPR-RP).

      3. May 28, 2010

        At the 57th SPPAPR Annual Conference, the following educational activities were conducted by professional members:

        Subject Speaker
        Job Hazards Analysis Engr. César Noble
           
        Developing and Administering an
        Occupational Dispensary        		 Dr. Roberto López

        Audience: 46 Participants

        Over 50 copies of the Tu Sociedad Informa bulletin were distributed among participants.

        Continued Educational hour-credits were offered to members of the College of Engineers and Land surveyors of Puerto Rico (CIAPR), by the Division of Continued Education and Professional Studies (DECEP) of the University of Puerto Rico – Rio Piedras Campus (UPR-RP).

      4. June 25-26, 2010

        At the PRMA Annual Safety Awards Conference, over 75 copies of the Tu Sociedad Informa bulletin were distributed among participants.

      5. October 22, 2010

        SPPAPR members helped in the coordination and logistics of the 2nd Safety and Health Conference of Puerto Rico.

        Over 180 copies of the Tu Sociedad Informa bulletin and other Society’s promotional material were distributed at the time.

        Products:

        N/A
    2. Outreach and Communication

      Goals:

      Work with OSHA to provide expertise in developing information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and to provide expertise in developing ways of communicating such information (e.g. print and electronic media; electronic tools and OSHA’s and the SPPAPR Web sites; radio programs), to employers and employees in the industry.

      To speak, exhibit, or appear at the SPPAPR/OSHA conferences, courses, and workshops or other educational events.

      Promote and encourage the SPPAPR members’ or worksites’ participation in OSHA’s cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Program, Consultation, and its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.

      Encourage the SPPAPR members to build relationships with OSHA’s Regional and Area Offices to address health and safety issues, including the professional practice of occupational safety and health in Puerto Rico.

      Events:

      1. SPPAPR maintains its webpage at, www.sppapr.org which includes links to this alliance agreement, other renewal agreements and news releases. In addition, the webpage has links to information on the PR-OSHA State Program bi-monthly seminars as well as other occupational safety and health training and seminars from universities and educational institutions island wide.

      2. During the 57th Annual Congress, celebrated May 28, 2010, the SPPAPR promoted the agreements of this alliance. In addition to the educational activity, recognition to the valuable contribution of nurses in the occupational safety and health field was highlighted. Members of the Occupational Nursing Association received this distinction in representation of this professional class.

      3. SPPAPR publishes the bulletin Tu Sociedad Informa, of which 250 copies are distributed by regular mail, to associates and professionals in the field. These bulletins are distributed also in trainings, meetings or at workplaces; and by means of e-mail to the safety and health professional and others. Also, it is published at our web site within reach to the general public. This outreach expands significantly the number of impacted professionals.

        During this evaluation period, the following editions of the bulletin were published, which include articles and updated information about safety and health issues: a quarterly edition, one special Christmas edition, and another special edition for the SPPAPR Annual Conference.

        The following topics were covered, addressing safety, health and hygiene:
        Safety at the Construction Site
        Christmas: Safety Holidays with No Alcohol
        Portable Ladders
        Job Hazard Analysis
        Dispensaries at the Worksite
        Copies of these bulletins were distributed among training participants, by e-mails, at workplaces, and also published at our web site.

      4. Members of SPPAPR participate in other educational events as instructors of the Atlantic OSHA Training Center (AOTC), for the OSHA Courses 500, 501, 510, 511, 3010, 7505, 502 and 503.

      5. SPPAPR participated in radio programs, providing current information on topics such as: Highlights and Awareness AH1N1 Virus; Dengue Awareness; Ergonomic Practices at the Workplace; Hearing Conservation and Intra-cochlear Implants; Promoting Health and Safety at the Workplace; Smoking Ban in Most Public Places and at Work; Work Related Asthma; and, American National Standard for High Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear (ANSI/ISEA 107-2004).

        Products:

        N/A
    3. Promoting the National Dialogue on Workplace Safety and Health

      Goals:

      Raise others’ awareness of and demonstrate their own commitment to workplace safety and health whenever the SPPAPR leaders address groups.

      Convene or participate, as often as possible, in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on hazards related to falls, confined spaces, indoor air quality, noise exposure, workplace violence, ergonomics, accident management systems, and/or others, to help forge positive attitudes toward safety health issues, and bring innovative solutions in the workplace.

      Events:

      1. To better promote the occupational safety and health issues and to promote a safety collective culture, the SPPAPR continued developing its alliances and collaboration agreements with other public and private organizations.
        Puerto Rico Manufacturers’’ Association (PRMA) – Collaborative Agreement and Multi-sectorial Alliance in Occupational Safety and Health of Puerto Rico, signed on December 10, 2009, for a two year term. SPPAPR actively participates in the coordination of educational activities, by invitation from PRMA’s Health, Safety and Environmental Committee.

        University of Puerto Rico – Rio Piedras Campus (UPR-RP) - Alliance of Alliances and Strategic Partnerships (APPA) with federal OSHA in Puerto Rico, active since September 13, 2007. Joint initiatives were held to develop related educational activities for the purposes of the Alliance.

        University of Puerto Rico – Medical Sciences Campus, Biosocial Sciences Faculty – Graduate School of Public Health, Division of Continued Education and Professional Studies (DECEP) – Formalized Collaboration Agreement since February 18, 2009.
      2. Other initiatives to promote a closer communication among safety and health professionals, is achieved by radio programs.

        Subject Speakers
        Highlights and Awareness AH1N1 Virus Dr. Roberto López, Occupational
        Physician
        Dr. Milagros Gerena, Occupational
        Physician
        Dr. Carlos G. Lausell, RPIH
        (All above, SPPAPR Members)
           
        Dengue Awareness Dr. Carmen de Seda, State
        Epidemiologist, Health Department
        Dr. Roberto López
        Dr. Carlos G. Lausell
           
        Ergonomic Practices at the Workplace Dr. Flora Muñoz, Occupational Physician
        Dr. Roberto López
           
        Hearing Conservation and Intra-cochlear
        Implants        		 Dr. Vicente López Hidalgo, Neuro-
        Audiologist, Occupational Physician
        Mr. Eric C. Vega, MSOSH, SPPAPR
        Member
        Dr. Roberto López
        Dr. Carlos G. Lausell
           
        Promoting Health and Safety at the Workplace Mrs. Elga Padilla, RN; Occupational
        Nursing Association, President; SPPAPR
        Member
           
        Smoking Ban in Most Public Places and Dr. Hilda Díaz, DMD, Dentistry at Work
        Associate Professor at RCM
        Dr. Roberto López
        Dr. Carlos G. Lausell
           
        Work Related Asthma Dr. Ivis Figueroa, PHD, Environmental
        Sciences
        Mr. Eric C. Vega
        Mr. Francisco J. Saracho, UMET, INEDA
        Director
           
        American National Standard for High
        Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear
        (ANSI/ISEA 107-2004)        		 Mr. Eric C. Vega
        Dr. Carlos G. Lausell

        In addition to participating in live radio programs, the SPPAPR collaborates with the programming and logistics of the programs and has an active role in identifying professional speakers to participate in them.

        Products:

        N/A
  4. Results

    Type of Activity (Conference, Training,
    Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.)

    Number of Individuals
    Reached or Trained

    December 10-11-12, 1009 – First APPA educational activity

    250

    March 26, 2010 – SPPAPR educational activity

    25

    May 28, 2010 – SPPAPR Annual Meeting & Conference

    46

    June 24-25, 2010 – PRMA educational activity

    Approx. 75

    October 22, 2010 – Second APPA educational activity

    180

    Radio Programs (8)

     4,098/monthly = 32,784

    Tu Sociedad Informa bulletin – quarterly, a special edition for Christmas festivities, and other special edition for annual conference (250 copies/edition – 250 x 3 = 750); plus 585 additional copies at trainings.  Distributed by e-mail – approx. 300 x 4 = 1,200.

    2,535

    AOTC Courses*:  500, 501, 510, 511, 3010, 7505, 502 and 503.

    398

    Web Page Electronic Information

    376

    TOTAL

    36,669
    * Members of SPPAPR as instructors.

  5. Upcoming Milestones

    1. Alliance renewal during the first or second quarter of FY 2011.
    2. Health and Safety Essay Contest, May 27, 2011 (proposed date).
    3. 58th Annual Assembly and Educational Activity, May 27, 2011 (proposed date).