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ALLIANCE REPORT
Habitat for Humanity - Greater Columbus
Columbus Area OSHA Office
February 16, 2010
  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed. December 19, 2007

    Alliance Overview.

    Habitat for Humanity Greater Columbus and OSHA formed an Alliance to provide volunteer home builders and others within the residential construction and homebuilding industry information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help control hazards related to falls, struck-by injuries, crushing injuries, electrical and other hazards.

    Implementation Team Members.

    Howard Eberts (Compliance Assistance Specialist)-OSHA
    Karen Preskar (Safety Specialist) - OSHA
    Erik Lambert – (Construction Director) – Habitat for Humanity

     
  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    Alliance meetings were normally held the third Wednesday of each month at the Habitat for Humanity office, and at each meeting members’ input and safety and health suggestions were discussed.

    January 21, 2009: Alliance Meeting
    February 18, 2009: Alliance Meeting
    March 18, 2009: Alliance Meeting
    April 15, 2009: Alliance Meeting
    May 20, 2009: Alliance Meeting
    August 19, 2009: Alliance Meeting
    September 16, 2009: Alliance Meeting
    October 21, 2009: Alliance Meeting
    November 18, 2009: Alliance Meeting

     
  3. Activities and Products

    Evaluation Period.

    This report covers December 19, 2008 to December 19, 2009.

    Alliance Activity.
     
    • Training and Education

      Safety Specialist (SS) Preskar and Compliance Assistance Specialist (CAS) Eberts met with the Habitat for Humanity Safety Committee on a regular basis to help develop and implement the first Safety and Health Program for the Habitat. As part of this, SS Preskar provided input and training on OSHA requirements for the Committee.
       
    • Outreach and Communication

      The Habitat has continued to promote OSHA and the Alliance on its newsletter, “The Builder.” OSHA has promoted the Alliance on its Quick Takes.
       
    • Promoting the National Dialogue on Safety and Health

      During the course of the alliance, Habitat promoted the alliance, as well as safety and health issues during internal safety meetings and also at public conferences held with other organizations. They also shared the information at other national Habitat for Humanity events throughout the U.S.
       
    Alliance Products.
     
    • Training and Education

      With OSHA’s assistance, the Habitat continued to implement and improve its Safety and Health program for all volunteer homebuilding sites.
      The Safety Committee developed a safety program for the Habitat ReStore along with operations in the shop. The Safety Committee also set up job site audits, and tracked and reviewed incident / accident reports at meetings on a regular basis.
       
    • Outreach and Communication

      OSHA’s website and Quick Takes continue to promote the Alliance.
       
    • Promoting the National Dialogue on Safety and Health

      Same as above
       
  4. Results

    The OSHA Columbus Area Office and the Habitat for Humanity have both continued to increase knowledge in the areas of residential construction activities and especially in regards to the challenge of having many new volunteers and how to achieve compliance with safety rules. By sharing this information with the other Habitat Chapters throughout the country, this has increased the safety awareness on all Habitat homebuilding sites.
    As part of the Columbus Area OSHA Office's Alliance with the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Columbus, OSHA has helped Habitat develop and implement a safety program for their employees and the many volunteers who work on building new homes for needy families. This was further expanded to the Habitat ReStore.

     
  5. Upcoming Milestones

    The Alliance officially ended on December 19, 2009. This Alliance will not be renewed; however, the Columbus Area Office will assist the Habitat for Humanity on outreach and other expanded activities on a case-by-case basis as resources allow. (See attached letter from Erik Lambert requesting to continue the Alliance.)

    Report Prepared by: Howard Eberts, Compliance Assistance Specialist

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

     
  6. Letter from Habitat Construction Director
     


Page last updated: 03/02/2010