Alliance -- An OSHA Cooperative Program<< Back to Concluded Regional Alliances - Region III

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed

    Original Agreement: 2-21-03 Renewal Agreement: 2-14-05 Renewal Agreement: 3-6-07

    Renewal Agreement: 2-24-09

    Overview

    The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Pittsburgh Area Office, Pennsylvania/OSHA Consultation Program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and the SMC Business Councils aligned to promote safe and healthful working conditions at small business facilities/worksites, by better educating the smaller business community on the resources and support available to them through OSHA and PA/OSHA Consultation. The SMC Business Councils is the largest small business trade association in the state of Pennsylvania.

    Implementation Team Members

    Eileen Patrone – Director of Human Resources, SMC
    Rosann Linza – HR Consultant, SMC
    John Engler – Project Manager, PA/OSHA Consultation (Outgoing)
    Dave Rhodes – Project Manager, PA/OSHA Consultation (Incoming)
    Bob Szymanski – Area Director, Pittsburgh OSHA Area Office
    Bob Carroll – CAS, Pittsburgh OSHA Area Office

    Evaluation Period

    February 15, 2008 to February 24, 2009

     
  2. Implementation Team Meetings
     
    May 13, 2008 In-person Churchill PA
    July 28, 2008 In-person Churchill PA
    October 22, 2008 In-person Churchill PA
    November 24, 2008 Conference Call  
    February 4, 2009 In-person Churchill PA
    February 24, 2009 In-person Churchill PA

     
  3. Events and Products

    Training and Education

    October 22, 2008 – CAS provided SMC representatives with an instructional presentation on the use of OSHA’s internet site – Primarily referencing various sites that are available to assist small businesses in accessing applicable safety and health information.

    Outreach and Communication

    February 2008 – A newsletter article was placed in the SMC newsletter (HRM Update) on “OSHA Announces Employer Paid PPE Final Rule”.

    April 2008 – A newsletter article was placed in the SMC newsletter (HRM Update) on “General Decontamination” from the flood waters quick card.

    May 13, 2008 – The SMC Business Councils sponsored a Compliance Outreach Day in which the CAS and OSHA Consultation Project Manager staffed an information booth.

    July 2008 – Newsletter articles were placed in the SMC newsletter (HRM Update) on “Health Hazards: Poisonous Plants” and “What PPE is Effective in Minimizing Heat Stress”.

    November 2008 – A newsletter article was placed in the SMC newsletter (HRM Update) on “Free OSHA Assistance” referencing the availability of the CAS and OSHA consultation.

    December 2008 – A newsletter article was placed in the SMC newsletter (HRM Update) on “Tips for Safe Winter Driving” from the OSHA facts sheet.

    January 2009 - A newsletter article was placed in the SMC newsletter (HRM Update) on “OSHA Issues Final Rule on Clarifying Employers Duty to Provide PPE and Train Each Employee”.

    SMC representatives have called throughout the year to discuss various relevant compliance/policy issues and request a variety of OSHA publications (Mainly geared to General Industry).

    Promoting the National Dialogue on Workplace Safety and Health

     
  4. Results

    The information provided was well received. The members of the association found the information to be valuable in assisting them in promoting and providing improved safety and health at the facilities they work at or consult for.
     
    Type of Activity (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.) Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
    February 2008 Newsletter (OSHA Announces Employer Paid PPE Final Rule ) 2500 (Business members)
    April 2008 Newsletter (General Decontamination ) 2500 (Business members)
    May 13, 2008 Compliance Outreach Day – Staffed an Information Booth 60
    July 2008 Newsletter (Health Hazards: Poisonous Plants and What PPE is Effective in Minimizing Heat Stress) 2500 (Business members)
    October 22, 2008 Training representatives on OSHA internet Site to assist small businesses 3 (The three representatives provide services to the 2500 Business members)
    November 2008 Newsletter (Free OSHA Assistance ) 2500 (Business members)
    December 2008 Newsletter (Tips for Safe Winter Driving) 2500 (Business members)
    January 2008 Newsletter (OSHA Issues Final Rule on Clarifying Employers Duty to Provide PPE and Train Each Employee) 2500 (Business members)
    TOTAL 4 2500 (Business members)

    Note: The individuals reached by each activity represent companies with many employees that would be directly affected by the safety and health information provided. In addition, the SMC Newsletter (HRM Update) is accessible to the general public on the SMC website.

    The working relationship between the Alliance Signatories and the feedback on the Alliance has been extremely positive. The positive relationship has led to the signing of a new Alliance Renewal on 2-24-09.


  5. Upcoming Milestones

    The Alliance is looking into future opportunities in providing information for affected parties through training seminars, newsletters, and possibly a Safety and Health Conference. The Alliance Signatories will continue to work together to address the safety and health needs of the affected parties.