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



  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed

    March 8, 2008

    Date Renewed: N/A

    Alliance Overview

    OSHA and the COGCSA formed an Alliance to provide Superintendents and others within the industry information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help control hazards related to amputations, crushing injuries, chemicals, electrical and other hazards, with a special emphasis on equipment rollover and excavation / trenching hazards, and young workers.

    Implementation Team Members

    Howard Eberts - CAS - OSHA
    Don Sutton - President - COGCSA
    Dave Gribler - Vice President - COGCSA

  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    May 24, 2009 Team meeting - preparation for Ohio Turf Grass Foundation Conference
    December 12, 2009 OSHA presentation / training at the 2010 Ohio Turf Grass Foundation Winter Conference - Superintendent's Panel
    March 1, 2010 Team Meeting - OSHA Update / fatality data presentation for 70 Golf Course Superintendents from around the state.

  3. Activities and Products

    Evaluation Period

    This report covers the time period of March 9, 2009 through March 8, 2010.

    Alliance Activity

    • Training and Education

      There were two primary safety and health training sessions held as a result of this Alliance. December 12, 2009 was the 2010 Winter Ohio Turf Grass Foundation Conference. OSHA participated in a regulatory panel session for the Superintendents (managers) as well as other turf grass and landscaping employers and employees; March 1, 2010 was a session for 70 superintendents and maintenance workers from several different golf courses. An OSHA enforcement update and fatality data for the industry was presented, as well as the top ten standards cited in the industry.

    • Outreach and Communication

      The Alliance was promoted on the COGCSA's webpage and newsletter. Access to OSHA compliance assistance materials and information was also provided through the webpage, association meetings, and the annual conference. The Alliance was also used in combination with the Ohio Temporary Worker Alliance and the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC) to videotape safety and health maintenance activities at Muirfield Country Club. These videos were translated to Spanish and released in March, 2010.

    • Promoting the National Dialogue on Safety and Health

      The COGCSA's webpage reaches a national audience, as well as the Turf Grass Foundation Conference. The training videos were promoted and distributed at the DOL National Latino Summit in Houston, TX in April, 2010.
    Alliance Products

    • Training and Education

      OSHA training sessions and videos (listed above).

    • Outreach and Communication

      Compliance assistance materials on website and Ohio BWC videos (listed above).

    • Promoting the National Dialogue on Safety and Health

      Website and Turf Grass Foundation Conference reaches a national audience.
  4. Results

    The COGCSA Officers believe that the Alliance has been effective in providing outreach and assistance to a traditionally non-receptive audience as evidenced by the training sessions and open dialogues for communication that have been established. Association members are less tentative about asking OSHA for assistance.

    Type of Activity (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.) Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
    Superintendents' training session 70
    Turf Grass Foundation Conference 200
    Total 270

  5. Upcoming Milestones

    The Alliance was terminated on March 8, 2010. There are no plans to renew, although OSHA will continue to support the COGCSA for safety and health promotion as resources allow.

    Report Prepared by: Howard Eberts - CAS, Columbus Area Office

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