• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA);
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW);
• Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association (AECA);
• Atlanta Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (AEJATC);
• Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI)

• Decrease of 3% per annum as a total membership to the participating employers injury/illness rates for the term of the partnership
• Reduce workers compensation costs as a gross amount for the total membership of participating employers by 3% per annum.
• Implementation of a standard industry checklist designed to exceed OSHA requirements that will be required to be used when working energized circuits. This policy will be based on the most recent National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) 70e Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces.
• Increase the development and implementation of effective comprehensive safety and health programs among participating worksites based on ANSI A-10 or OSHA 1989 Safety & Health Guidelines.
• Increased accessibility to quality safety training and education by the AEJATC and the employer, thereby raising safety awareness of both employees and the employer. Ensure that 100% of Apprentice, Journeymen and Intermediate Journeymen are trained in the OSHA 10-Hour Outreach Program.

• The measure for goals #1 and #2 will include reviewing the OSHA 300 data, calculating TCIR, and comparing workers comp cost annually
• The measurement system for goal #3 will include the implementation of Appendix A, self-inspections, GTRI inspections; hazards identified and controlled, and corrective action
• Goal #4 will be measured by determining the number of companies participating in the partnership that implement an effective safety and health management system
• The measurement for goal #5 will be determined by the number of journeymen, intermediate journeymen and apprentices with OSHA 10-hour training

• Total Case Incidence Rate per 100 full-time employees
   

  (TCIR) = # Total Cases X 200 000 Hours Worked

• Days Away, Restricted, and/or Transfer Case Incidence Rate per 100 full-time employees
   

  (DART) = # Lost and Restricted Cases X 200 000 Hours Worked

• This data should be at least 10 percent below the BLS national average for the electrical industry NAICS٭ code. (BLS 2006: TCIR ___/ DART __)
  ٭North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) = 238210 (Formally SIC 1731)
• Both DART and TCIR should display a continual 3% annual Reduction of Injuries, Illnesses and Fatalities.
• The company will submit statistics and OSHA 300 logs for the past three years, and will be evaluated on a three-year average.
• If an employer applying for membership fulfills all other requirements, but does not have qualifying TCIR and DART rates and/or the 3% continual reduction, it may appeal for inclusion in the partnership. The steering committee will review these appeals on a case-by-case basis, and may allow the company to participate if the employer can demonstrate an effective plan to achieve this requirement.

The Steering Committee will administer this agreement as outlined herein and will serve as the primary safety resource, supporting the participating employers and employees. The Steering Committee will provide the following services:
 

• Act as a liaison for the IBEW/AECA/AEJATC/GTRI members with OSHA by providing members with assistance addressing technical safety and health concerns and OSHA related issues.
• In concert with the AEJATC and GRTI, offer ongoing, quality training on topics of importance for members – specifically the OSHA focused areas of fall protection, electrical hazards, caught between and struck by.
• Provide up-to-date informational materials and brochures to IBEW/AECA/AEJATC Partnership members (from OSHA, GTRI’s Technical On-Site Consultation Service, the Georgia Workers’ Compensation Board and other appropriate organizations).
• Organize and provide to participating employers OSHA’s interpretations of major standards, as well as local inspection perspectives.
• Develop and build written safety and health policies and programs for participating employers, including emphasis on employer/employee responsibilities.
• Notify OSHA on a quarterly basis with the name(s) of contractors that have met the partnership criteria.
• Conduct annual audits to determine the impact and effectiveness of this partnership with OSHA.

Note: A second committee within the partnership will be formed consisting of the safety professionals / specialists employed by the members. This Partnership Safety Resource Panel (referred to hereafter as the Safety Resource Panel) will meet monthly to resolve issues and concerns, such as cases where the guidelines of the partnership may be perceived as unworkable. The next levels of guidance or assistance should come from within the partnership by referral to the AEJATC and GTRI. If they are unable to assist, the OSHA Compliance Assistant Specialist will be consulted for advice. The Safety Resource Panel will consist of the full-time safety representatives from the contractors, as well as one representative form GTRI and AEJATC. There is not an OSHA representative on the safety resource panel to minimize the impact on agency resources.

Participation Levels: There are three levels of participation (Candidate, Associate Member & Full Member) within the partnership based on the potential member’s eligibility. Employers interested in participating in this partnership must also comply with the following eligibility requirements:

Candidate for Membership
 

• Those companies that recognize the value of an effective safety and health management system, but are not quite ready to be a Member.
• Candidate Members must submit an application and be willing to submit documents to the Steering Committee for review (such as the OSHA 300 Logs and the company’s safety program).
• Candidate Members must implement control measures for the OSHA focused hazard areas of fall protection, electrical hazards, caught between and struck by. This must include implementation of a 100 percent fall protection policy, either conventional or a system, when working at heights above six feet regardless of the operation. In cases where these rules may be perceived as unworkable, the employer will initially contact the Safety Resource Panel, and then if they are unable to assist, the OSHA Compliance Assistant Specialist will be consulted for abatement advice.
• The employer’s corporate OSHA history cannot include willful and repeat violations, or serious violations directly related to the cause of a fatality or catastrophe, in the last three years.
• All new field employees must receive site-specific training, in a language that they understand, before beginning work, in addition to a new hire safety orientation within the first week of hire. Topics for the orientation must include the OSHA focused hazard areas of fall protection, electrical hazards, caught between and struck by, plus personal protective equipment.
• Within 12 months, all field employees must attend an OSHA 10-Hour Training Course. Field employees must receive refresher training in the 10-Hour Course every three years.
• Within 12 months, all field supervisors must attend an OSHA 30-Hour Training Course. Field supervisors must receive refresher training in the 30-Hour Course every three years. Note: The Field Supervisor is defined as the highest level of field personnel responsible on multi-crew projects, performing activities to direct/control work.
• Must show evidence in writing that employees and supervisors are held accountable for safety.
• Allow OSHA access to the site for inspection, if the employer has the authority to allow an inspection of the site. OSHA will follow the guidelines for inspections as outlined in the Field Inspection Reference Manual (FIRM).
• Must be a member of good standing of the National Electrical Contractors Association.
• Partnerships at this level are subject to traditional OSHA compliance inspections.
• To join, all employers must participate in at least one random on-site audit per annum conducted by the Georgia Tech Research Institute or other pre-approved, acceptable independent 3rd party. The audit must include an action plan to prevent future hazards, as well as feasible methods to abate identified hazards.

Associate Member
 

• Members that have developed a basic safety and health management system and are committed to a path of continuous improvement by networking and utilization of the partnership resources.
• Members must submit an application and be willing to submit documents to the Steering Committee for review (such as the OSHA 300 Logs and a copy of the company’s safety program).
• Members must implement control measures for the OSHA focused hazard areas of fall protection, electrical hazards, caught between and struck by. This must include implementation of a 100 percent fall protection policy, either conventional or a system, when working at heights above six feet regardless of the operation. In cases where these rules may be perceived as unworkable, the employer will initially contact the Safety Resource Panel, and then if they are unable to assist, the OSHA Compliance Assistant Specialist will be consulted for abatement advice.
• The employer’s corporate OSHA history cannot include willful and repeat violations, or serious violations directly related to the cause of a fatality or catastrophe, in the last three years.
• All new field employees must receive site-specific training, in a language that they understand, before beginning work, in addition to a new hire safety orientation within the first week of hire. Topics for the orientation must include the OSHA focused hazard areas of fall protection, electrical hazards, caught between and struck by, plus personal protective equipment.
• Within 12 months, all field employees must attend an OSHA 10-Hour Training Course. Field employees must receive refresher training in the 10-Hour Course every three years.
• Within 12 months, all field supervisors must attend an OSHA 30-Hour Training Course. Field supervisors must receive refresher training in the 30-Hour Course every three years. Note: The Field Supervisor is defined as the highest level of field personnel responsible on multi-crew projects, performing activities to direct/control work.
• Must show evidence in writing that both employees and supervisors are held accountable for safety.
• Allow OSHA access to the site for inspection, if the employer has the authority to allow an inspection of the site. OSHA will follow the guidelines for inspections as outlined in the Field Inspection Reference Manual (FIRM).
• Must be a member of good standing with the National Electrical Contractors Association.
• Partnerships at this level are subject to traditional OSHA compliance inspections.
• To join, all employers must participate in at least one random on-site audit per annum conducted by the Georgia Tech Research Institute or other pre-approved acceptable independent 3rd party. The audit must include an action plan to prevent future hazards, as well as feasible methods to abate identified hazards.

Full Member
 

• Members have implemented an effective safety and health program, as demonstrated by management commitment and full employee involvement.
• Members must submit an application and be willing to submit documents to the Steering Committee for review (such as the OSHA 300 Logs and the company’s safety program).
• Members must implement control measures for the OSHA focused hazard areas of fall protection, electrical hazards, caught between and struck by. This must include implementation of a 100 percent fall protection policy, either conventional or a system, when working at heights above six feet regardless of the operation.
• The employer’s corporate OSHA history cannot include willful and repeat violations, nor serious violations directly related to the cause of a fatality or catastrophe, in the last three years.
• All new field employees must receive site-specific training, in a language that they understand, before beginning work, in addition to a new hire safety orientation within the first week of hire. Topics for the orientation must include the OSHA focused hazard areas of fall protection, electrical hazards, caught between and struck by, plus personal protective equipment.
• Within 12 months, all field employees must have OSHA 10-Hour Training Course. Field employees must receive refresher training in the 10-Hour Course every three years.
• Within 12 months, all field supervisors must attend an OSHA 30-Hour Training Course. Field supervisors must receive refresher training in the 30-Hour Course every three years. Note: The Field Supervisor is defined as the highest level of field personnel responsible on multi crew projects, performing activities to direct/control work.
• The employer must have an effective written system that holds both employees and supervisors accountable for safety.
• Allow OSHA access to the site for inspection, if the employer has the authority to allow an inspection of the site. OSHA will follow the guidelines for inspections as outlined in the Field Inspection Reference Manual (FIRM).
• Must be a member of good standing with the National Electrical Contractors Association.
• To join, all employers must participate in at least one random on-site audit per annum conducted by the Georgia Tech Research Institute or other pre approved acceptable independent 3rd party. The audit must include an action plan to prevent future hazards, as well as feasible methods to abate identified hazards.
• To remain in the partnership, all Full Members will be subject to an on-site verification inspection conducted by OSHA. Once the employer has received a successful on-site verification inspection, the company will obtain a 12-month deferral from programmed OSHA inspections. (Only the specific Full Member will receive the 12-month deferral from programmed OSHA inspections.)
   

• Compliance assistance such as appropriate safety and health training;
• Improved safety and health programs combined with networking and resource assistance;
• Quarterly meetings with the Steering Committee;
• Meeting with OSHA Area Director to discuss the role of participating employers in the partnership; and
• The Steering Committee will be informed by OSHA of all implemented Local Emphasis Programs (LEP) and National Emphasis Programs (NEP), and this information will be shared with all participating employers.

Associate Member (Candidate Membership benefits as well as):
 

• Participants will be strongly considered for maximum allowable penalty reductions for violations abated in a timely manner, as prescribed by OSHA’s Field Inspection Manual (FIRM).

Full Member (Associate Member benefits as well as):
 

• Focused OSHA compliance inspections, which can be expanded if conditions dictate; and
• Once an Associate Member level employer has received a successful on-site verification inspection from OSHA, the company will be raised to Full Member status and obtain a 12-month deferral from future programmed OSHA inspections.

(NOTE: Only the specific Full Member level employer will receive the 12-month deferral from programmed OSHA inspections.)