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

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed: 3/14/2008

    Date Renewed: Alliance Expired March 2010 – Not Renewed

    Alliance Overview:

    This Alliance was established to provide the Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association (WUCA) members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees’ health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to excavation and trenching construction hazards and addressing training issues.

    Implementation Team Members:

    Members of the Implementation Team are; Richard Wanta, Executive Director, WUCA; Dick Lentz, Safety Supervisor, Wisconsin Consultation Program; Chris Zortman, Assistant Area Director; Pat Ostrenga, Compliance Assistant Specialist, and Jim Lutz, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Milwaukee Area Office.

  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    Quarterly safety committee meetings were conducted since the signing of the agreement to establish either activities or Alliance products. Both OSHA and WUCA now participate informally with the state Chapter of the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) which brings Utilities, Diggers Hotline, Locate Services, Excavators and other interested parties together to discuss safety and health issues and to plan specific activities.

  3. Activities and Products

    Evaluation Period: The date of the evaluation period includes the time period of March 15, 2009 through the termination of the agreement on March 15, 2010.

    Alliance Activity:

    WUCA sponsored several events during 2008. OSHA participated in these events by presenting information on highlighted cases throughout the state, providing updates on legislative activity, and through publicizing commonly cited violations which initiated discussions on prevention.

    The interactive sessions conducted by OSHA provided attendees with guidance on establishing both inspection criteria, and an effective safety and health management process. Utilizing this format, each of the Alliance goals including Training and Education, Outreach and Communication, and Promoting the National Dialogue on Safety and Health was successfully achieved.

    Alliance Products:

    In December of 2009, OSHA provided WUCA members with an informational session on the status of the proposed crane standard, the excavation process and state statutes for excavators. PowerPoint slides developed by the Milwaukee Area Office and incorporated into the presentation included specific practices excavator could take to identify proposed excavations.

    The Milwaukee Area Office developed a DVD, with the input of the Association team members, comprised of material presented during the December meeting which was presented at 58 locations throughout the state. The meetings held around the state were attended by over 5000 individuals who work in the excavation field.

    Working in cooperation, and delivering the desired information, members of the Alliance were able to achieve the three goals established for the Alliance. This information was shared, not only by safety and health professionals within the industry, but with business owners, safety equipment vendors, insurance representatives, and even though not targeted, the sessions around the state included public sector employees as well.

  4. Results

    1. Impact

      The impact of the Alliance during the reporting period was that as anticipated, considering activities of the Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association and size of the membership.
       
    2. Activities and Numbers of Individuals Reached or Trained

      Type of Activity
      (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.)             		Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
      Quarterly WUCA Safety Committee Meetings 300
      Excavator Safety Meetings 4394
      TOTAL 4694

  5. Upcoming Milestones

    None.

    Report Prepared by: Jim Lutz, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Milwaukee Area Office

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