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

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed.

    January 21, 2005

    Alliance Overview.

    The Alliance provides parties an opportunity to participate in a voluntary cooperative relationship with OSHA for training and education; outreach and communication; and promoting a dialogue on workplace safety and health awareness and commitment.

    Implementation Team Members:

    Wisconsin OSHA Area Directors

    Wisconsin Ready Mix Concrete Association, OES (Operations, Environmental, Safety) Committee

    Wisconsin Consultation Program (WisCon)

  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    • Team Meetings were held at the WRMCA Office in Madison, WI on the following dates:
      • April 14, 2008
      • July 25, 2007
      • October 24, 2008
      • December 19, 2008
      • March 20, 2009
          
  3. Activities and Products

    Evaluation Period.

    The evaluation period is from January 11, 2008 to May 13, 2009.

    Alliance Activity.

    • Training and Education;

      • Arrangements were finalized for the presentations at the Annual Environment and Safety Workshop held in the Wisconsin Dells on January 22-23rd, 2009. Safety topics included: OSHA recordkeeping (training conducted by WisCon), Behaviors Leading to Slips, Trips, and Falls, Spill Response, Trenching and Excavating (conducted by OSHA), Ergonomics (conducted by OSHA), Emergency Planning and Fleet Safety.
      • Discussed OSHA’s website developed under the Alliance with the National Ready Mix Concrete Association.
    • Outreach and Communication;

      • At the March 20, 2009 meeting, the Committee was made aware of Changes with EPA permits.
    • Promoting the National Dialogue on Safety and Health

      • OSHA and the OES Committee met five times in a twelve month period which exceeds the requirements of having biannual meetings as set forth in the alliance. During each meeting any safety or health issues that has come up since the last meeting are discussed
    Alliance Products.

    • A new Alliance was developed. The Alliance identified slips, trips, and falls; fleet safety; and construction work zone safety as areas of emphasis.
    • The WRMCA established a rental program for dust monitoring equipment. The equipment includes the pump, battery, battery charger, cyclone assembly, and sample cassettes. The air monitoring kit also includes instructions on proper use and directions for analysis.

  4. Results

    1. Impact of the Alliance activities and products during the reporting period.

      Over the past three years, the average of lost time & restricted duty claims per Member Company has decreased 48% recordable injuries have been reduced by 37% and the average experience modification rate has been reduced by 11%.

      The WRMCA conducts an annual safety and health awards ceremony. Awards are given for safety performance in four categories, based upon size (cubic yards of concrete produced). Top award winners are given plaques and companies who achieve a DART rate better than the industry average are given certificates. This year they received a record number of entries – 73 individual plant locations. The total number of plaques and certificates was 44. Sixty percent of the establishments had injury and illness rates that were lower than the national average.
      The articles written for the newsletter and bi-annual safety bulletin have wide reaching effects in that they are electronically transmitted to all members.

      By OSHA attending the quarterly meetings and the Environment Safety Workshop members of the associations are able to develop a dialog with OSHA.

      While the injury performance numbers of members are decreasing, slips, trips, and falls have increased and are now the number one category for injuries.

      The WRMCA has been very pleased with the progress achieved under the Alliance. The Association overwhelmingly requested that the Alliance be renewed.

  5. Upcoming Milestones

    WRMCA has begun publishing a Bi-Annual Newsletter. OSHA will continue to contribute articles.

    Report Prepared by: Kelly A. Bubolz

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