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

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed:

    October 22, 2004

    Overview

    The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Georgia Institute of Technology –Safety, Health, and Environmental Technology Division (Georgia Tech) and American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) – Trench Safety Taskforce Alliance is focused on reducing and preventing exposure to trenching and excavation hazards.

  2. Implementation Team Membership and Contributors:

    Metro Atlanta Area - Representatives from OSHA, ASSE and Georgia Tech conducted meetings on the following dates: March 19, 2010; and June 10, 2010

    Evaluation Period

    January 31, 2010, through December 31, 2010
     
  3. Events and Products

    Training and Education

    Events

    • A member of the Alliance group supported the Georgia Tech staff in conducting the OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Center (Ed Center) 502 and 3010 courses on the following dates:
      • January 13, 2010 – OTI 502
      • March 3, 2010 - OTI 502
      • March 14, 2010 - OTI 502
      • July 1, 2010 – OTI 502
      • October 13, 2010 – OTI 502
      • November 30, 2010 – OTI 3010
    • On April 28, 2010, a 4-hour trenching and excavation safety training session was conducted by the Alliance group for members of the following public and private-sector organizations: the City of Americus, GA; the Americus Fire Department; and several local subcontractors. The training session was attended by approximately 50 employers and employees.
    • On April 23, 2010, the Alliance group conducted a presentation focused on trenching and excavation safety for the Georgia Branch, Associated General Contractors (AGC). During this event the decision was made to offer training to the following AGC student Chapters in metro Atlanta:
      • On October 28, 2010, training was provided to the AGC Chapter at Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU) in Marietta, GA.
      • On November 16, 2010, training was provided to the AGC Chapter at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) in Atlanta, GA.
    Products

    • None
    Outreach and Communication

    Events

    • On April 14, 2010, the Alliance group conducted a presentation focused on trenching and excavation safety for the Fulton County Utility Contractors Association.
    • On May 6, 2010, the Alliance group participated in the Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association (AECA) Annual Safety Day. The group staffed an exhibit booth and distributed safety outreach material.
    • On August 19, 2010, a meeting was conducted by the Alliance group with members of the DeKalb Water Authority in DeKalb County, GA. The utility was offered the opportunity to receive trenching and excavation safety training.
    Products

    • None
  4. Results

    Fiscal Year

    Trenching fatalities in Georgia

    2003

    2

    2004

    2

    2005

    0

    2006

    0

    2007

    0

    2008

    0

    2009

    0

    2010

    1

    Total

    5

    Note #1: This table only reflects fatalities resulting from a trench and excavation cave-in.
    Note #2: The May 2006 fatality in Byron, GA, is not included in this figure, because Federal OSHA does not have jurisdiction for public-sector employees in the state.

  5. Upcoming Milestones in FY 2011

    • Renew the Alliance
    • The Alliance group will continue to conduct trenching and excavation safety training. Training will be conducted for High School Construction Technology classes throughout the state.
    • Continue to promote the Alliance throughout Georgia

    Report Prepared by: Jonathan Worrell, Atlanta-East Area Office - CAS

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