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

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed

    09/21/07

    Overview

    The purpose of the Alliance is to provide Tri-State Contractors Association (TSCA) and members with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees’ health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to OSHA’s four focus hazards of falls, caught in between, struck by and electrical.

    Implementation Team Members

    Jim Cerra, Executive Director of TSCA, Lynn Wade, Charleston Labor Education and Development (LEAD) Administrator, Jennifer Burgess, Occupational Safety and Health Administration Consultation Administrator, Charleston Area Office (CHAO) Area Director, Jeffrey Funke, and (CHAO) Compliance Assistance Specialist, Richard Jeffrey.

    Contributors – N/A

    Evaluation Period

    September 7, 2008 to September 30, 2009.

     
  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    November 9, 2008 on-site meeting with Charleston LEAD Administrator, Lynn Wade to discuss information concerning any OSHA changes that affect contractors and their employees training.

    January 20, 2009 met with Tri-State administrator, Lynn Wade, to discuss information concerning OSHA changes that affect contractors and their employees. It was agreed that OSHA’s CHAO Compliance Assistant would provide training on recordkeeping and company’s site specific safety training obligations.

    March 10, 2009 met with TSCA administrator, Lynn Wade, to discuss alliance annual report template.

    May 6, 2009 met with Tri-State’s Board and Kanawha Valley Builders Association’s Board. This event was attended by Charleston Area Office Director, Jeffrey Funke.

    July 10, 2009 met with Tri-State to discuss new crane standards proposed and updates on training for hand injuries and eye injuries.

    September 29, 2009 met with Tri-State representative, Lynn Wade, to discuss renewal of Alliance.

    November 10, 2009 CAS, Richard Jeffrey provided recordkeeping training for Tri- State Contractors Association members and Kanawha Valley Builders Association members.
    In addition to on-site meetings with Tri-State, the CAS and/or other office staff members averages two phone calls per month from the association or members related to safety and health issues.

     
  3. Events and Products

    Training and Education
     
    • Events

      Tri-State provides ongoing safety and health training for members and their employees. There are weekly training classes provided by the Tri-State Contractors and the LEAD program to Affiliated Construction Trades Union employees (i.e. Sheet metal Workers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Operating Engineers, Laborers Union, Boiler Makers Union et al.) in OSHA 10-Hour, OSHA 30-Hour, CPR/First Aid, Drug Awareness and supervisory safety and health training. The OSHA classes also cover what is known as construction’s focus four hazards.
       
    • Products

      Tri-State along with Kanawha Valley Builders Association and Labor Education and Development (LEAD program) developed an eye and hand booklet and used the materials to provide ongoing training on said subjects. Eye and hand injuries fall into the categories of struck by and caught in between and were noted to be on an upward trend. This effort was made to educate employees on how to prevent the injuries and reverse the upward trend.
       
    • An entire construction safety and health curriculum was developed prior to the alliance. Tri-State and LEAD board members perform ongoing reviews of the curriculum to adjust the program as information, technology and standards change.
    Outreach and Communication
     
    • Products

      Developed “Eye and Hand” safety booklets and drug advisory information pamphlets. The booklet and pamphlet information are used in the safety and health training program.
       
    Promoting the National Dialogue on Workplace Safety and Health
     
    • Events

      TSCA through the Tri-State LEAD program provides ongoing training on OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour courses and OSHA’s construction focus four: fall hazards, struck by hazards, caught in between and electrical hazards.
       
    • Results

      Hundreds of union and management employees were trained on OSHA’s 10-Hour and 30-Hour courses. The emphasis on hand and eye injuries and their prevention is presently being evaluated. Additionally, Tri-State provides a 9-panel drug and alcohol testing program for member’s employees and also provides drug Awareness and supervisory training.
       
      Type of Activity (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.) Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
      OSHA 10-hour, First Aid/CPR Over 500
      Drug Awareness/Supervisory Training Over 300
      TOTAL 800

       
  4. The Alliance expired September 30, 2009 and both parties are not committed to signing a new Alliance in 2010.