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Partnership Logo Successful Associated Builders and Contractors (Central Ohio Chapter) Partnership Reduces Injury and Illness Rates and Increases Safety and Health Awareness

Background:

The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) – Central Ohio Partnership was signed in 2002 and renewed in 2004 and 2007. This Partnership was formed to achieve a reduction in injuries, illnesses and fatalities in the construction industry through means of open communication, promoting recognition for construction safety excellence, and sharing knowledge of the best industry technology, innovations and work practices that improve safety and health performance.

Success Impact:

Injury and Illness Rates Decline - Days Away, Restricted and Transfer (DART), Total Case Incident Rate (TCIR)

The recent injury and illness data demonstrates the success of the Partnership. Over the past three years, the Days Away, Restricted or Transferred (DART) rate for the companies participating in the Partnership has dropped by 59.2% and the TCIR had dropped by 56.4%. The three-year TCIR average is 56% below the industry average and the 3-year DART average is 59.6% below industry average. The chart below is representative of the injury and illness data collected for the Partnership:
 
  DART TCIR
Year 1: 2005 2.7 7.24
Year 2: 2006 2.0 4.5
Year 3: 2007 1.1 3.15
3 Year Average 1.9 4.7
BLS Industry National Average for Most Recent Year 4.7 10.7

Safety and Health Concerns Addressed through Increased Training

Training has been another key focus of the Partnership. Over 6,000 employee hours of training have been conducted. This includes 100% of partner companies' supervisors completing the 30-hour OSHA training and 95% of partner companies' employees completing the 10-hour OSHA training. As a result of the training, the partners' safety directors have commented that there is an increase in the number of employees that bring potential jobsite hazards to the attention of supervisors.

Due to the Partnership, participating safety directors are more comfortable approaching other contractors not under their control on a jobsite with respect to safety concerns. During safety audits, partner safety directors have reported that they noticed an increase in the number of safety questions raised by other contractors not participating in the Partnership as a result of their knowledge of the participant.

All employees are required to report any unsafe conditions at the jobsite to their foreman. As a result, the partner safety directors have noticed a dramatic increase in the number of questions raised about safety conditions at the worksite. Safety directors have noted that safety awareness among their employees has improved since joining the Partnership.

Promoting a Safety and Health Culture – Partner Testimonials

The Partnership helped increase communication between partners, change pre-existing negative attitudes, and information share. Partners provided the following testimonials:
    "The Partnership has changed our company's attitude toward OSHA and safety from a negative process to a positive program. The employees see management, labor, and OSHA working together to improve and make safe working conditions."

    "The Partnership has given us the opportunity to discuss changes and problems with an OSHA representative. Information from these meetings has not only been informative but very helpful. The Partnership program has had a direct affect in taking our companies safety program to the next level."

    "I think that it has helped employees know that their safe actions helped win the award, and they take a sense of ownership. I think that it also says a lot about the Company's commitment to safety. I know that we all take pride in the program, and strive to keep it going. I can speak for all of us that it is valuable to CMS."
Partnership Objectives:

This Partnership was formed to reduce in injuries, illnesses, and fatalities in the construction industry through means of open communication, promoting recognition for construction safety excellence, and sharing information –including knowledge of the best industry technology and new innovations and work practices that improve safety and health performance.

Origin: Region V, Columbus Area Office

Partners: Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., Central Ohio Chapter (ABC Central Ohio)

Partnership Signed: (Renewed) March 2007

Industry: Construction (NAICS Code 23815)

Employees: 100

Employers: 15

Source and Date: Howie Eberts and Deborah Zubaty, Region V, Columbus Area Office / May 2008

Status: Open