Background:

The JEA operates an electric, water and sewer systems for the greater Jacksonville, Florida, Area and these systems serves approximately 360,000, 240,000 and 186,000 customers, respectively. As major provider of these services in the state of Florida the JEA has maintained a steadfast commitment to occupational safety and health. This commitment has been demonstrated by the JEA’s participation in the OSHA Strategic Partnership Program (OSPP). The JEA’s partnership agreement with OSHA’s Region IV, Jacksonville Area Office, was initially implemented in April of 2000. Since this initial agreement, OSHA and the JEA have renewed this agreement twice in May of 2003 and August of 2006.

Success Impact:

Injury and Illness Rates Steadily Declines:

Prior to the establishment of this partnership agreement in 2000, the JEA’s Total Case Incidence Rate (TCIR) was 6.16 and its Days Away, Restricted and Transfer (DART) Rate was 2.08. Since this time, the successful accomplishment of the partnership’s goals, which include the implementation of effective safety and health management systems (SHMS), have resulted in the steadily decline of both the TCIR and DART. In fact, in 2008, the JEA partnership reported a TCIR of 2.1 and a DART of 1.2, which represents a 16 percent reduction and a 41 percent increase from 2007 respectively. The 2008 rates are also 63 and 60 percent below the 2007 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) national average for the Construction Specialty trade contractors industry. The table below presents the TCIR and DART reported by the JEA Partnership over the past nine years.

Increased Safety and Health Awareness through Training

The 2008 JEA Partnership reported that over 800 employers and over 2,100 employees in the construction industry were impacted by this agreement. During this same period, over 18,000 training hours were provided to this group. As a result of this training, employees now possess the skills and knowledge to identify hazards and take the appropriate corrective actions. In fact, during the course of this OSHA Strategic Partnership (OSP), 35,035 employees and 3,644 supervisors have received either the OSHA 10-hour construction safety training or the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) eight-hour, contractor safety orientation training. This has led to increased hazard awareness, enhanced employee involvement and an overall safety work environment.

Partnership Objectives:

The key objectives of the OSP are to reduce injuries and illnesses among workers engaged in construction and construction related activities. Specific OSP goals includes: Improving the overall effectiveness of existing contractor safety and health managements systems; Providing training and outreach to JEA’s employers and employees participating in the OSP and promoting awareness of workers safety.

Origin: Region IV, Jacksonville Area Office

Partners: OSHA and Jacksonville Electric Authority

Partnership Signed: April 2000; renewed May 2003 and August 2006

Industry: Construction & Other Special Trade Contractors (NAICS Code 23899)

Employees: 2151

Employers: 824

Source and Date: Al Woodson, OSHA National Office OSHA Strategic Partnership Program (OSPP) Lead for Region IV (October 2009)

Status: Closed