Date Signed:

July 17, 2009

Alliance Overview

OSHA and the Gulf Coast Safety Council (GCSC) formally the Greater New Orleans Industrial Educational Council (GNOIEC) established a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful industrial workforce.  This relationship provides the industrial workforce including non-English and limited English speaking employees with information, guidance, and access to industrial education training resources that will help protect employees’ health and safety. In developing this alliance, OSHA and GCSC recognize that OSHA’s Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

Sylvester Hedges Jr., GCSC, Executive Director - St. Rose, GCSC Curriculum Committee, Wilfred Hebert, OSHA, Baton Rouge Area Office, Compliance Assistance Specialist (CAS)

Evaluation Period:

July 2010 - July 2011

Team meetings were held periodically throughout the year to support the Curriculum Committee of GCSC.

Training and Education:

On June 30, 2011, Alex Novas, Compliance Specialist provided an OSHA update presentation for “Grater New Orleans Business Roundtable”, a construction maintenance and engineering user council. 

On May 13, 2011, Wilfred Hebert, Compliance Assistance Specialist provided an Update on OSHA information to Alliance member that included;  OSHA's Campaign to prevent heat illness and  OSHA's pamphlet on we Are OSHA we Can Help, Discussed CPL 02-00-147 Effective Date: 2/11/08 Subject The Control of Hazardous Energy - Enforcement Policy and Inspection, CPL 02-01--5- 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I, Enforcement Guidance for Personal  Protective Equipment in General Industry and provided an overview of Industry Hazards to see what OSHA we can do and a Introduction to Mr. Bruce Stark, VPP person for the Baton Rouge Office.  Additional Training on H2S was implemented due to recent events in the training area.

On May 4, 2011, Alex Novas, Compliance Assistance Specialist participated in the awards presentation honoring local contractors and owners that have achieved and outstanding record of safety performance during 2010.

Outreach and Communications:

Wilfred Hebert, Compliance Assistance Specialist visited the Gulf Coast Safety Council to provide the petrochemical industry personnel and industry contract workers, including non-English or limited English speaking employees, with information, guidance, and access to industrial education training resources that will help protect employees' health and safety. Safety and health pamphlets such as; Best Practices For Protecting EMS Responders, OSHA Fact Sheets such as; Heat Stress, Using Portable Generators Safety, and Hurricane Documentation for the Season. Information gathering and update evaluation requirement for the 2010 year.

Additional discussion and information was provided on protecting the contract workers from heat stress.  OSHA Quick Cards were distributed as a means of effective communications.

OSHA staffs in Louisiana provided resources for answering questions and continue to assist the alliance as needed.

Promoting the National Dialogue on Workplace Safety and Health:

An Update on OSHA information were provided to Alliance member that included;  OSHA's Campaign to prevent heat illness and  OSHA's pamphlet on We Are OSHA We Can Help, Discussed CPL 02-00-147 Effective Date: 2/11/08 Subject The Control of Hazardous Energy - Enforcement Policy and Inspection, CPL 02-01--5- 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I, Enforcement Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment in General Industry and provided an overview of Industry Hazards to see what OSHA we can do and a Introduction to Mr. Bruce Stark, VPP person for the Baton Rouge Office.

The OSHA national statistics were reviewed and discussion was held on how the process can be improved.  The areas reviewed were training of owner representatives who handle contractors, pre-qualification, selection, pre-job activities, work-in-progress, and evaluation.

GCSC interaction with owners and contractors through training and safety meetings help prevent injuries and illnesses in the work place.  The collaboration with OSHA provides a visible sign of the strength of our alliance.

The goals for the next year are to strengthen the alliance through meetings with owners and contractors to promote an Incident and injury free environment in the work place.  Focus will be improving emphasis on OSHA “Top Ten” injury statistics.

Additionally emphasis will be placed on the assistance that the “OSHA Area Office” can provide in training and education in job safety and health issues.

Report Prepared by:  Wilfred Hebert