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

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed:

    November 4, 2009

    Alliance Overview

    The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Central Florida Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers (CF-ASSE) agreed to establish an Alliance to reduce and prevent employee exposure to ergonomic hazards.

    Implementation Team Members:

    The implementation team consists of representatives from the OSHA Area Office in Tampa, FL, and the Central Florida Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers, Inc. (CF-ASSE)

    Evaluation Period

    November 4, 2009 – November 5, 2010
     
  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    The group conducted Alliance implementation team meetings on the following dates: November 4, 2009; March 4, 2010; April 13, 2010; and October 25, 2010.

  3. Events and Products

    Training and Education

    Events

    • During this period, the Alliance group conducted 11 meetings, which were open to both members and non-members. Safety and health topics addressed during these meeting included the following: poison control; road/rail safety; risk assessments; ergonomics; and mold regulations.
    Products

    • None
    Outreach and Communication

    Events

    • On November 4, 2009, the CF-ASSE held their Ergonomics Professional Development Conference to coincide with the Alliance signing. The conference was open to both members and non-members in which there were 132 attendees. The conference covered the following topics: ergonomics for the aging workforce; ergonomic hazard assessments; effective ergonomic programs; and ergonomic evaluation tools.
    • On March 1, 2010, the CF-ASSE hosted ThinkERGO, LLC, which discussed the key elements of a successful ergonomic program and musculoskeletal disorder management. The event was attended by 37 members and non-members of the Alliance group.
    • On September 13, 2010, the CF-ASSE chapter received an OSHA Update presentation from the Tampa Area Director, which addressed the possible changes to the recordkeeping 300 form and other ergonomic related issues. The Area Director also covered administrative changes in OSHA’s penalty structure, the Severe Violator Emphasis Program (SVEP) and the Injury and Illness Prevention Program. The program was attended by 70 members and non-members of the Alliance group.
    • On November 1, 2010, the CF-ASSE conducted a Human Factors – Shift Work presentation and a tour of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. The event was attended by 37 members and non-members of the Alliance group.
    Products

    • Although the University of South Florida’s (USF) Consultation program is not a signatory to the Alliance, OSHA and CF-ASSE recognize that the OSHA Consultation Program is an integral part of the OSHA national effort. The University of South Florida’s Consultation program regularly contributes an article to the ASSE Newsletter which is distributed to members and non-members.
    • The CF-ASSE website has links to the OSHA website and provides discounts for USF OSHA OTI courses.
    • The CF-ASSE website lists Certified Safety Professional (CSP) mentors for those who are working towards their CSP.

    Promoting the National Dialogue on Workplace Safety and Health

    Events

    • An OSHA representative continued to promote the Alliance at local meetings with national groups, such as the Physician Office Managers Association of America, the Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturing Associations.
    Products

    • None
  4. Results

    • Refer to the events listed above.
  5. Upcoming Milestones

    • Continue to promote occupational safety and health in the Central Florida Area.
    • Continue to make employers aware of the number and economic burden of ergonomic-related injuries and illnesses. Also continue to advertise the ASSE Ergonomic Branch’s free Ergonomics Tip Sheets which can be found on their website.
    • Continue to educate employers of the human factor aspects of a given job or task.
    • The group will also continue to promote the need for effective safety and health management systems, especially among the Central Florida small business community.
    • On Feb 3 and 4, 2011, OSHA and CF-ASSE will participate in the Regional ASSE Professional Development Conference. CF-ASSE will also participate in the planning of the conference. There will be three sessions on ergonomics and the Tampa Area Director has been invited to speak.
    • On June 6, 2011, conduct a 3-hour workshop on Ergonomics and Assessment tools.
    • Partnering with the March 2011 Applied Ergonomics Conference to publicize their event with members and non-members.
    • CF-ASSE will co-sponsor the Alliance for Central Florida Safety (ACFS) Safety Days in March 2011.

    Report prepared by Joan M. Spencer, Compliance Assistance Specialist

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