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Through the OSHA and APCA Alliance, both organizations are committed to providing APCA members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help to protect the health and safety of workers, as well as promote a better understanding of worker rights and the responsibilities of employers under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act). The Alliance will continue to promote a culture of safety within the pipeline construction industry, including small businesses and non-English and limited English speaking employees, to reduce workplace incidents and prevent worker exposures to hazards such as those associated with equipment operation (e.g. bulldozer, excavator and sideboom), trenching and excavation, hydrostatic testing, and distracted driving. The Alliance's goals include:
Raising Awareness of OSHA's Rulemaking and Enforcement Initiatives
- Share information on OSHA's National Emphasis programs, enforcement initiatives, Regulatory Agenda, and opportunities to participate in the rulemaking process.
- Disseminate information on occupational safety and health laws and standards, including the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers.
Outreach and communication
- Develop information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and to develop ways of communicating such information (e.g., print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools, and OSHA's and APCA's websites) to employers and workers in the industry.
- Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or APCA's conferences, local meetings, or other events such as the APCA Annual Meeting.
- Encourage APCA members and other industry stakeholders to build relationships with OSHA's Regional and Area Offices to address health and safety issues in the pipeline construction industry; participate in OSHA's Cooperative Programs, including Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) and the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP); and utilize OSHA's On-site Consultation Program to improve health and safety in the pipeline construction industry.
Training and Education
- Promote industry-wide use of safety and health management systems, encouraging employers to develop new or enhance existing performance programs.
Then-Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels, USDOL-OSHA, with J.D. Lormand, Executive Director, APCA, at the alliance renewal signing ceremony on October 15, 2015.
Products and Resources
Alliance Program Participant Developed Products
Best Practices Fact Sheets
- Best Practices Working in Confined Spaces During Construction (PDF). APCA developed a best practice fact sheet addressing issues associated with confined spaces including definition of confined spaces, definition of permit required spaces, responsibilities, and training requirements.. (May 2017).
- Best Practices for Unintentional Encounters with Buried Facilities (PDF). APCA developed a best practice for supervisory personnel and operators addressing assessment and basic steps to follow if an underground utility is disturbed or damaged.. (March 2017).
- Telehandler Operation – For Supervisory Personnel and Operators (PDF), MEJORES PRACTICAS DE OPERACIONES TELESCOPICAS PARA Personal de Supervisión y Operadores Mejores Prácticas para Personal de Supervisión (Spanish - PDF). Addresses pre-operation, operation, and post operation of telehandlers. This fact sheet is also available in Spanish (PDF) as an APCA product, which was developed outside of the Alliance Program.. (September 2014).
- Vacuum Lift Systems Best Practices (PDF), MEJORES PRACTICAS DE OPERACIONES TELESCOPICAS PARA Personal de Supervisión y Operadores Mejores Prácticas para Personal de Supervisión (Spanish - PDF). Provides best practice guidelines for personnel during pre-operation, operation, and post operation of vacuum lifts. (2015, September). This fact sheet is also available in Spanish (PDF) as an APCA product, which was developed outside of the Alliance Program.. (September 2015).
- Best Practice for Cold Weather Awareness (PDF). Provides employees in the industry with information on safe practices and standards for working in cold temperatures, including cold injury risk factors and warning signs. Also includes measures that employers should take to protect workers from cold stress. . (March 2016).
- Transporting and Handling of Pipe (PDF). Developed a best practices fact sheet for workers focusing on the transporting and handling of pipelines.. (May 2015).
- Locating Underground Lines (PDF), Mejores prácticas para localizar líneas de servicios públicos subterráneos (Spanish - PDF). Addressing issues associated with locating and identifying underground pipelines/utilities before beginning an excavation.. (July 2012).
- Excavation and Trenching Best Practices for Operators (PDF), Buenas Prácticas en las Excavaciónes y Zanjas para Operadores (Spanish - PDF). Addressing issues associated with excavation and trenching activities such as worksite preparation, personal protective equipment, and collapse prevention.. (February 2008).
- Horizontal Directional Drilling Best Practices for Supervisory Personnel (PDF), Buenas Prácticas de Barrenado en Dirección Horizontal (BDH) para el Personal de Supervisión (Spanish - PDF). Addressing issues associated with supervision of workers who are engaged in the operation of horizontal directional drilling equipment such as pre- and post-operation procedures and safe operation considerations.. (February 2008).
- Horizontal Directional Drilling Best Practices for Operators (PDF), Buenas Prácticas del Barrenado en Dirección Horizontal para Operadores (Spanish - PDF ). Addressing issues associated with the operation of horizontal directional drilling equipment such as pre- and post-operation procedures and safe operation considerations.. (February 2008).
- Excavator Operation Best Practices for Supervisory Personnel, Operators, and Workers (PDF), Buenas Prácticas de Operación de Excavadoras para el Personal de Supervisión, Operadores y Trabajadores (Spanish - PDF). Addressing issues associated with the operation of excavation equipment such as pre- and post-operation procedures, safe operation considerations, and supervisory recommendations.. (February 2008).
- Excavation and Trenching Best Practices for Supervisory Personnel (PDF), Buenas Prácticas en Excavaciónes y Zanjas para el Personal de Supervisión (Spanish - PDF). Addressing issues associated with supervision of workers who are engaged in excavation and trenching activities such as worksite preparation, personal protective equipment, and collapse prevention.. (February 2008).
- Dozer Operation Best Practices for Supervisory Personnel and Operators (PDF), Buenas Prácticas de Tractores para el Personal de Supervisión y Operadores (Spanish - PDF). Addressing issues associated with the operation of dozer equipment such as pre- and post-operation procedures and safe operation considerations.. (February 2008).
- Backhoe Operation Best Practices for Supervisory Personnel and Operators (PDF), LAS MEJORES PRÁCTICAS DE LA OPERACIÓN DEL BACKHOE Para Supervisores y Operadores Las Mejores Practicas para los Supervisores (Spanish - PDF). Addressing issues associated with the operation of backhoe equipment such as pre- and post-operation procedures and safe operation considerations.. (February 2008).
- Pressure Testing Best Practices for Personnel Conducting the Test (PDF), Buenas Prácticas de Prueba de Presión Para el Personal que Conduce la Prueba (Spanish - PDF). Addressing issues associated with pressure testing activities such as pre-test preparation, connection hazards, and worker protection.. (February 2008).
- Pressure Testing Best Practices for Supervisory Personnel (PDF), Buenas Prácticas para Pruebas de Presión Para el Personal de Supervisión (Spanish - PDF). Addressing issues associated with the supervision of workers who are engaged in pressure testing activities such as pre-test planning, leak testing, and test medium disposal.. (February 2008).
- Sideboom Operation Best Practices for Supervisory Personnel, Operators, and Workers (PDF), Buenas Prácticas para la Operación de Puntal Lateral (Spanish - PDF). Addressing issues associated with the operation of sideboom equipment such as understanding sideboom operational/equipment requirements and safe operation considerations.. (February 2008).
Toolbox Talks
- Working with Silica (PDF). APCA developed a toolbox talk for workers focusing on the hazards related to silica. (2017, April). The toolbox talk covers requirements of the final rule for construction employers and was adapted for this industry from a toolbox talk developed by the Sealant Waterproofing and Restoration Institute.. (April 2017).
- Tool Box Safety Topic: Working in Close Proximity to Overhead Powerlines (PDF), Tema de seguridad Trabajando en Estrecha Proximidad a Lineas Electricas (Spanish - PDF). Focuses on the hazards related to working close to overhead power lines. (2010, December). This Tool Box Safety Topic is also available in Spanish (PDF) as an APCA product, which was developed outside of the Alliance Program. (Spanish translation 2016, May).. (May 2016).
- Tool Box Safety Topic: Hazard Communication (PDF), JUNAT EN LA CAJA DE LA HERRAMIENTA PARA DISCUTIR COMUNICACIÓN DE PELIGROS (Spanish - PDF). Developed a toolbox talk addressing hazard communication issues such as hazardous materials written programs, material safety data sheets, respirators, and hazardous materials identification systems. (2009, October; Revised 2013, February; Spanish Translation September, 2013).. (September 2013).
- Tool Box Safety Topic: The Spotter (PDF), Charla de Seguridad El observador (Spanish - PDF). Developed a toolbox talk addressing issues associated with the use of spotters such as when to use a spotter, equipment operator and spotter responsibilities, and hand signals.. (October 2012).
- Tool Box Safety Topic: Excavation and Trenching (PDF), CHARLA DE SEGURIDAD EXCAVACIONES Y ZANJAS (Spanish - PDF). Developed a toolbox talk addressing issues associated with excavation and trenching activities such as cave in hazards, competent person, and occupied excavation.. (October 2012).
- Tool Box Safety Topic: Electrical Safety (PDF), CHARLA DE SEGURIDAD SEGURIDAD ELECTRICA (Spanish - PDF). Developed a toolbox talk addressing issues associated with electrical safety such as the most frequent causes of electrical injuries and ground fault protection.. (October 2012).
- Distracted Driving (PDF), Tema deseguridad Conducción distraída (Spanish - PDF). Developed a toolbox talk on distracted driving, including the types of distractions and common distractions, such as texting.. (September 2012).
- Tool Box Safety Topic: Personal Protective Equipment (PDF), Charlas de seguridad EQUIPO DE PROTECCIÓN PERSONAL (Spanish - PDF). Developed a toolbox talk addressing personal protective equipment issues such as eye protection, foot protection, and hearing protection.. (February 2011).
- Tool Box Safety Topic: Respiratory Protection (PDF), Charlas de Seguridad PROTECCIÓN RESPIRATORIA (Spanish - PDF). Developed a toolbox talk addressing issues associated with respiratory protection such respiratory protection written programs and respirator use.. (February 2011).
- Tool Box Safety Topic: Working Around Heavy Equipment (PDF), Tema de seguridad Trabajando Alrededor de Maquinaria Pesada (Spanish - PDF). Developed a toolbox talk addressing issues associated with working in the "Danger Zone" around heavy equipment such as blind spots, rotating machinery, overhead hazards, and swing radius.. (December 2010).
- Tool Box Safety Topic: Bloodborne Pathogens (PDF), Charla de Seguridad en la Caja de Herramientas PATÓGENOS DE SANGRE (Spanish - PDF). Developed a toolbox talk addressing issues associated with bloodborne pathogens such as personal protective equipment, cleaning and sanitizing the workplace, and waste handling.. (December 2010).
Safety and Health Topics Pages
Publications and Newsletters
- Underground Construction. The pipeline contractor industry's publication, Underground Contractor, includes an article, "OSHA Signs New Alliance with APCA," that discusses the signing and goals of the OSHA/APCA Alliance. (March 2007).
Additional Resources
- Alliance Program Construction Roundtable, (2019, September 11).
- Preventing Falls in Construction. Provides links to OSHA tools and resources to help prevent construction-related falls. (May 2019).