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

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed:

    June 29, 2007

    Date Renewed:

    November 6, 2009

    Alliance Overview.

    Provide University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Outreach Services S & H training programs for business in the Pitt-Bradford service area with an emphasis on process safety, oil/gas well drilling safety, confined space hazards.

    Implementation Team Members.

    Mike Hackett, Workforce Training Coordinator, Univ of Pitt Bradford; Bridgett Passauer, Director of Auxiliary Services, Univ of Pitt Bradford; Barb Burkhouse, Assistant Director Professional and Workforce Education, Univ of Pitt Bradford; Dane Sprankle, Consultant, PA OSHA Consultation Program; Mark Harmon, Compliance Assistance Specialist, OSHA Erie Area Office.

  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    There were three conference calls during this time period between the Implementation Team Members.


  3. Activities and Products

    Evaluation Period

    June 29, 2009-June 29, 2010

    Alliance Activity

    June 29, 2009-June 29, 2010

    • Training and Education

      All day (8 hour) presentations conducted as follows:

      October 16, 2009 Dane Sprankle, Consultation program; Mark Harmon, Oil & Gas Production Safety, Permit-Required Confined Space; 35 people attending;

      November 13, 2009 Dane Sprankle, Consultation program; Mark Harmon, Oil & Gas Servicing Operations Safety, Hazard Communication; 40 people attending.

    • Outreach and Communication

      Due to the increasing activity of the Marcellus Shale throughout the Appalachian Basin the Erie OSHA office and PIOGA (Pennsylvania Independent Oil & Gas Association) were able to sign a 2 year alliance to promote safety and health in the oil & gas industry throughout PA. Additionally this alliance was extended to several other OSHA offices (Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Wilkes-Barre) and the PA OSHA Consultation services at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP).

    • Promoting the National Dialogue on Safety and Health

      Perhaps the most significant item of the previous year was the FRC Memo. On March 19, 2010, a memo was released from the OSHA National office explaining the use of flame-resistant clothing (FRC) to protect employees from flash fires hazards while working at oil & gas well sites. Questions on this item are frequently discussed at presentations and during regular office communications.

  4. Results

    Training that was delivered to attendees will enable them to be more aware of hazards in their industries.


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

    Number of Individuals Reached or Trained

       
    There were 2 training sessions conducted with hundreds of publications distributed. There were 2 different presenters covering 5 different subjects for a total of 10 presentations.
    TOTAL 2 Total  75

  5. This Alliance continues and the most requested presentation is for Oil and Gas safety. There are record number of drillers working in Western Pa and New York and there is a need for training and information.

    University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Outreach Services is interested in continuing the Alliance.

    Report Prepared by: Mark Harmon, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Erie Area Office

    For more information, contact the Office of Outreach Services and Alliances at 202-693-2340 or go to OSHA's webpage.