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

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed
     
    March 20, 2009
     
    Alliance Overview
     
    The goal of this Alliance is to provide forestry-related companies (i.e. logging companies and sawmills) with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees’ health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing deaths and serious injuries from falls, electrical, struck-by, caught-in, and other hazards related to logging industry work.

    Implementation Team Members

    Howard Eberts, OSHA
    Greg Collins, On-Site Consultation
    Keith Bullock, On-Site Consultation
    John Dorka, OFA
     

  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    Alliance meetings were held at the OFA Office, and members actively participated at each meeting. Meeting roles (facilitator, minutes, etc.) are assigned on a rotating basis for each meeting and minutes are distributed with agendas for the next meeting.

    January 14, 2009: Pre-Alliance Meeting

    March 20, 2009: Alliance Meeting and signing

    March 27, 2009: Chainsaw Safety Training

    September 25, 2009: Ohio Woodlands Job Corps

    October 2, 2009: Alliance Meeting & Paul Bunyan Show (Booth)
     

  3. Activities and Products

    Evaluation Period.
     
    This report covers March 20, 2009 to June 30, 2010.

    Alliance Activity.
     
    • Training and Education

      The OFA worked with OSHA to validate the curriculum for the Master Logging Certification program in the area of Chainsaw Safety. OSHA sent two representatives to evaluate the curriculum and participate in a Chainsaw Safety session at Senaca Lake on March 27, 2009. OSHA also sent representatives to assist with the Ohio Woodlands Job Corps training program at Hocking Hills and to staff a booth at the Paul Bunyan Show in Cambridge, Ohio on October 2, 2009.

    • Outreach and Communication

      The OFA has promoted OSHA in its meetings. However, they were disappointed in the wording of OSHA’s initial press release promoting the signing of the Alliance, which referred to “tackle the logging industry.” (See copy below) This unfortunately generated negative feelings within the logging industry, which has been leery about OSHA in the past. In spite of numerous attempts by this Area Office to help get past this issue, the OFA did not enthusiastically embrace or participate in this Alliance.

    • Promoting the National Dialogue on Safety and Health

      During the course of the alliance, the OSHA and On-Site Consultation have promoted the alliance, as well as safety and health issues during internal safety meetings and also at the Paul Bunyan Show, a huge logging industry event held in the State of Ohio.
    Alliance Products.

    • Training and Education

      As discussed above, OSHA helped evaluate the curriculum of the Chainsaw Safety training section of the Master Logging Certification program.

    • Outreach and Communication

      OSHA staffed a booth at the Paul Bunyan Show and provided handouts and compliance assistance information to participants.

    • Promoting the National Dialogue on Safety and Health

      The Alliance discussed OSHA enforcement issues related to logging workers and discussed this during chainsaw safety training.

  4. Results

    The initial efforts to promote chainsaw safety and validate the Master Logging Certification safety component were successful. OSHA’s participation at the Paul Bunyan Show was also effective, but the OFA is not sure that OSHA’s participation will be requested in 2010. Based on a lack of interest by the Alliance participants, as well as no further significant goals, we feel that this Alliance should be effectively terminated.
     

  5. Upcoming Milestones

    The Alliance is scheduled to end on March 20, 2011. However, the Alliance parties do not plan on any future meetings to continue with this Alliance. OSHA will participate in future OFA events (such as the Paul Bunyan Show) if requested, and as resources allow.

    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 website.


  6. Copy of Press Release
 
OSHA Regional News Release
U.S. Department of Labor
Office of Public Affairs		 Region 5
Region 5 News Release: 09-281-CHI
March 20, 2009
Contact: Brad Mitchell or Scott Allen
Phone: 312-353-6976

U. S. Department of Labor's OSHA forms safety and health alliance to tackle logging industry in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Reducing hazards and enhancing safety and health in Ohio's logging industry are the goals of a new alliance formed by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) with the Ohio Forestry Association, the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation and the state's onsite consultation agency.

"This alliance seeks to reach employees and employers at all levels in the area's logging industry, and provide them with the knowledge and ability to anticipate, identify and eliminate work-related hazards," said Deborah Zubaty, OSHA's area director in Columbus.

The alliance partners will work together to develop and deliver safety and health training and education programs such as master logging certification and chainsaw safety training for companies and their employees working in the state's forestry-related industries.

The Ohio Forestry Association Inc., created in 1903, is an independent, nonprofit organization. The association's mission is to support the management of the state's forest resources and improve business conditions for the benefit of its members in their endeavors to engage in forestry-related industries and enterprises.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit OSHA's website.