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Back to 2009 OSHSPA Report Indiana OSHA (IOSHA) Signature projects
Customer service: The Indiana Department of Labor (IDOL) was awarded the regional William Q. Wiehrdt Award for excellence in customer service. IDOL began surveying how well the agency was meeting the needs of customers served by compliance officers, consultants, and other staff in late 2007. IDOL's customer service survey has five questions each of which can be rated “Excellent,” “Good,” “Fair,” or “Poor.” The survey's customer satisfaction index – the percentage of respondents who selected “Excellent” for all five questions – was higher during the last half of 2008 than any previous period. Data reporting: Return rates for the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) and the OSHA Data Initiative survey (ODI) are the highest ever: 97 percent for the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses and 99 percent for the OSHA Data Initiative. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics announced in October 2008 that Indiana's injury and illness rate for public and private industry fell from 5.5 per 100 employees in 2006 to 5.2 per 100 employees in 2007. Administrative hearings: IOSHA's administrative hearing board for IOSHA safety orders, the Board of Safety Review, started 2008 with a 59-case backlog and 18 of those cases were at least three years old. By the end of 2008 all 18 cases were resolved and there were no pending cases more than one year old. Incident management: In 2008, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) established an Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) to assist local emergency management agencies by coordinating available resources and ensuring that response efforts are adequate and efficient. This Type-2 IMAT will be activated during a multi-county or rapidly expanding incident or if an incident happens on state property. IMAT can assist other states under the direction of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and existing Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) agreements. Two IOSHA compliance officers are safety officers for IMAT and report directly to Incident Command. Compliance officers are also embedded in the IDHS response team, which allows the agency to participate in Indiana's emergency preparedness efforts and protect first responders and post-disaster clean-up workers. Training: In 2008, IDOL made significant strides in the number and variety of training opportunities available to compliance officers and consultants. Most compliance officers participated in at least three training offerings. Training included NFPA 70E, process safety management, and OSHA Training Institute webinars. The agency also revised the internal Professional Certifications Policy in March 2008. The policy encourages compliance officers and consultants to pursue credentials, such as Certified Safety Professional, Certified Industrial Hygienist, Occupational Safety and Health Technologist, Construction Health and Safety Technician, and Certified Hazardous Materials Manager. The policy provides for reimbursement of preparatory classes, examination fees, time-off, and a one-time completion incentive for each certification. IDOL also developed a federal Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training program for IOSHA compliance officers (approved by the state Department of Veteran Affairs offices for Montgomery GI Bill credit) that follows the federal directive for compliance officer training. Emphasis programs Indiana OSHA's emphasis programs cover trenches, fall protection, scaffolds, refineries, amputations, lead, crystalline silica, and combustible dust. The trenches, fall protection, and scaffolds programs have been operating for three years and are administered by the Construction Safety Division of IOSHA. Falls to a lower level are the No. 1 cause of injury and death on Hoosier construction sites. Combustible dust, a two-part program, includes emphasis and education. In March and May 2008, letters and educational material were sent to more than 2,000 Indiana companies identified as potential workplace sources of combustible metal dust. The letters also directed the companies to federal OSHA's Web site for information about combustible metal dust hazards. Although not the subject of an emphasis program, use of reflective vests by public safety personnel resulted in many inquiries to Indiana OSHA. In December 2009, the agency issued an interpretation letter for public safety personnel on the use of these vests. The topic was also covered in the Indiana Labor Insider, the agency's bi-monthly electronic newsletter [PDF - 1 MB], which more than 3,000 Hoosiers receive. Enforcement Although not complete until early 2009, Indiana OSHA began the final refinery inspection in the fall of 2008 at CountyMark. The inspection at the CountyMark's Mount Vernon refinery was a result of a national emphasis program developed in mid-2007 to eliminate occupational hazards associated with the release of hazardous chemicals at refineries. Outreach Conferences: In 2008, the Indiana Department of Labor's OSHA Consultation Division, INSafe, partnered with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Central Indiana Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers to host the state's largest occupational safety and health conference: the annual Safety and Health Conference and Exposition. More than 600 safety, health, environmental, and human resource professionals had the opportunity to network with peers and attend educational sessions. The prestigious Governor's Workplace Safety Award winners were also announced at the conference; six Hoosier companies were honored in categories that included general industry safety and health programs, innovations, education and outreach, and construction safety. Collaborating with other Indiana state agencies, INSafe planned and presented a small business seminar called INgov Roadshow in fall 2008. More than 250 small business representatives registered to attend the free seminar which was held throughout the state. The event provided an opportunity for business owners to learn about the services offered by INSafe and other state agencies. Consultation assistance: INSafe received 451 requests for on-site consultation assistance in 2008, an increase of nearly 17 percent over 2007. INSafe also received the On-Site Consultation Achievement Recognition (OSCAR) award at the 2008 annual consultation conference in Seattle, Wash. The OSCAR is awarded for outstanding achievement in marketing consultation services to high-hazard establishments and for increasing participation in the Indiana Safety and Health Recognition Program (INSHARP). In 2008, INSHARP certified an additional 15 sites and recertified one existing site. The agency also continued the scholarship program developed in 2005. The program funds occupational safety and health training for companies that meet established eligibility criteria. Eligible companies include small businesses (250 employees or fewer), high-hazard establishments, and woman-and-minority-owned businesses. The scholarship program enabled more than 500 Hoosiers to attend training classes in 2008.
Publications: IN Review [PDF - 6 MB] is the agency's annual publication covering occupational health and safety trends and case studies. In 2008, the agency included articles written by INSafe safety and health consultants and IOSHA compliance officers. More than 10,000 copies were printed and distributed. The publication was also featured at tradeshows and conferences and offered to companies during consultations and enforcement inspections. INReview is also available on the agency's Web site. In the summer of 2008 the Indiana Department of Labor débuted the Indiana Labor Insider [PDF - 2 MB], a bi-monthly newsletter covering news under the agency's jurisdiction. Because the new publication is published only online, it does not increase the agency's printing cost or advertising budget. The agency also published industry-specific injury and illness brochures which were distributed through direct mail campaigns, at trade shows and conferences, and during INSafe consultations and IOSHA enforcement inspections. Partnerships In 2008, the Indiana Department of Labor formed two strategic partnerships and three alliances. The agency's network of partners and alliances has furthered efforts to ensure safe workplaces for Hoosiers. Under partnership agreements with Indiana-based Eli Lilly and Company and Shiel Sexton/Powers and Sons, both companies will submit injury and illness data to the Indiana Department of Labor on a quarterly basis. The goal of the Eli Lilly partnership is to advance safety and health in all Hoosier workplaces. The company will also mentor potential Indiana Voluntary Participation Program participants in process safety management. The Shiel Sexton/Powers and Sons partnership is aimed at reducing injuries and eliminating fatalities at the Indiana Convention Center project. The partnership includes the Construction Project Manager, Shiel Sexton/ Powers and Sons, and all associated contractors. IDOL formed alliances with the Indiana Ready Mixed Concrete Association (IRMCA) and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association/Sheet Metal Workers International Association, Local 20. A regional alliance was also signed with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). The goal of all three alliances is to reduce work-related injuries and illnesses in their respective industries. Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs at 202-693-2200 for assistance accessing PDF materials. |
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