ACIL - Alliance Annual Report - February 17, 2005

ALLIANCE ANNUAL REPORT
Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the
American Council of Independent Laboratories (ACIL)
February 17, 2005

  1. Alliance Background  

    Date Signed

    July 23, 2003

    Overview

    Recognizing the value of enhancing public safety through quality testing, OSHA and ACIL formed an Alliance to use their collective expertise to help increase awareness of OSHA's Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) program that is a part of OSHA's Directorate of Science, Technology, and Medicine (DSTM). The OSHA recognized laboratories determine if equipment and products that are specified in the Agency's regulations meet consensus-based safety standards and can be used safely in the workplace. A NRTL puts its nationally registered mark on the products it tests, which certifies that they meet OSHA-endorsed standards.

    Implementation Team Members
     
    OSHA  
       
    Maryann Garrahan
    Sally Grady
    Rick Harris
    Karen Heckman
    Bob Isiminger
    John Linkletter
    Long Loo
    Jess McCluer
    Sherrey Nicolas
    Bernard Pasquet
    Lisa Ramber
    David Wallis    		 Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine (DSTM)
    DSTM
    Office of Outreach Services and Alliances (OOSA)
    Office of Training and Education (OTE)
    Directorate of Standards and Guidance (DSG)
    OTE
    DSG
    OOSA*
    DSTM
    DSTM
    OOSA**
    DSG
       
    ACIL:  
       
    Joan Cassedy
    Len Frier    		 Executive Director
    MET Laboratories

    *July 29, 2003- November 14, 2003
    **October 8, 2003 - July 23, 2004

    Evaluation Period

    July 23, 2003 - July 22, 2004
     
  2. Implementation Team Meetings
     
    July 23, 2003
    October 8, 2003
    November 14, 2003
    June 17, 2004    		 Kick off meeting
    Team Meeting
    Team Meeting
    Team Meeting


    In addition to these formal meetings, the Alliance coordinators from both groups maintained regular contact throughout the reporting period to monitor the Program's progress and results.
     
  3. Activities and Products
    1. Events and Products

      Training and Education Goal

      • Review existing OSHA training programs and determine where information on the NRTL program can be incorporated into the curriculum.

      Products

      OSHA PowerPoint® Presentations

      ACIL reviewed and provided comments on three OSHA PowerPoint® presentations that are used by OTE in its courses on the topics: Electrical Hazards, Hazardous Materials for general audiences and Hazardous Materials for specific audiences.

      Outreach and Communication Goals

      • Develop and disseminate information through print and electronic media, including links from OSHA's and ACIL's Web sites.

      Products

      OSHA and ACIL Alliance Web Page

       

      OSHA developed an OSHA and ACIL Alliance Web page on the Agency's Web site. The Web page includes a copy of the OSHA and ACIL Alliance agreement, a photograph of the signing ceremony, news releases and activities and events; products and resources; and milestones and successes.

      NRTL Certification Marks Card

      The OSHA and ACIL implementation team have been working on the development of a laminated pocket card, bearing the NRTL certification marks from each of the testing laboratories. The card is intended to be used as an informational resource for students who attend OSHA's Training Institute courses and the Agency's National, Regional and Area Offices' staff.

      Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories, Safety and Health Topics Page

      Representatives from the ACIL Alliance implementation team reviewed and shared comments with OSHA's Salt Lake Technical Center (SLTC) regarding the content of OSHA's Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories, Safety and Health Topics page. The following ACIL representative is a member of the page's editorial board:

        • Joan Cassedy, Executive Director, ACIL
      • Speak, exhibit, or appear at conferences, local meetings, or other events to raise awareness of the NRTL program, such as the ACIL Mid-Winter Meeting and meetings of the American Council for Electrical Safety (ACES). Bernard gave a presentation and participated in a question and answer session.

      Events

      American Council for Electrical Safety (ACES) Meetings

      Through the Alliance, OSHA Alliance Implementation Team member Bernard Pasquet has attended biannual ACES meetings, organized by ACIL, on November 13, 2003 and April 15, 2004 in Baltimore, MD. He gave informal talks on issues and topics of interest to the NRTL Program and participated in question and answer sessions immediately following his discussions.

      • Develop informational materials and cross-train OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals on the NRTL program and the products and equipment that are required to have a mark.

        The OSHA and ACIL Alliance Implementation Team has not started work on programs or projects to address this goal.
      Promoting the National Dialogue Goals:
       
      • Providing stakeholders with information and guidance on the purpose and requirements of the NRTL program.

        The OSHA and ACIL Alliance Implementation Team has not started work on programs or projects to address this goal.
         
      • Raising awareness and understanding of the value of the NRTLs marks on safety products and equipment.

      Products

      Article: OSHA Requirements for Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory Approval of Products

      In December 2003, OSHA with collaboration from ACIL members produced an article entitled: OSHA Requirements for Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory Approval of Products, written by Bernard Pasquet, OSHA, Office of Technical Programs and Coordination Activities, DSTM. It discusses the processes that are used to certify electrical products as safe to use in the workplace. The article also provides information on the eighteen NRTL and OSHA's certification process. The article is located on OSHA's Safety and Health Topics page; Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories, and linked to the OSHA and ACIL Alliance Web page.

      • Raise awareness of the NRTL program when ACIL's leaders address groups.
         
      • The OSHA and ACIL Alliance Implementation Team has not started work on programs or projects to address this goal.
         
      • Participate together in forums to promote the value of workplace safety.
         
      • The OSHA and ACIL Alliance Implementation Team has not started work on programs or projects to address this goal.
         
      • Encourage ACIL's members to act as liaisons and resources for OSHA's cooperative programs.

        The OSHA and ACIL Alliance Implementation Team has not started work on programs or projects to address this goal.
    2. Executive Summary
      In July 2003, OSHA formed a national Alliance with ACIL to help increase awareness of the Agency's NRTL program. Through the Alliance, OSHA and ACIL are working together to reach out to, educate, and train employers and employees about the NRTL program and its value in workplace safety.

      During this first year of the Alliance, OSHA and ACIL established a working relationship. OSHA and ACIL worked together to develop an article on the processes NRTLs use to certify electrical products as safe to use in the workplace and to update the NTRL Safety and Health Topics page. In addition, Joan Cassedy became a member of the editorial board for the NTRL Safety and Health Topics page. ACIL has also provided its expertise to OSHA by reviewing OSHA PowerPoint® presentations used for training purposes.

      The implementation team is discussing the development of a laminated card with information and samples of all of the certification marks from each NRTL. The card could be distributed to OSHA personnel.
    3. Alliance Program Reach
       
  4. Upcoming Milestones

    In the upcoming year, OSHA and ACIL will continue its working relationship and collaborate on a number of projects to support the Alliance agreement.

    OSHA and ACIL will finalize efforts to develop a laminated card for posting on OSHA's Web page and distribution to OSHA staff. The laminated card is intended to inform the public and OSHA staff about the NRTL certification marks.

    ACIL Executive Director Joan Cassedy will also continue to be a member of the Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory Safety and Health Topics page's editorial board.

    OSHA and ACIL will consider opportunities to promote and educate others on the NRTL program through speaking or exhibiting opportunities at local meetings or events, such as the ACES meeting in Baltimore, Maryland on April 14, 2005. Implementation team member, Maryann Garrahan has been invited to make a presentation to ACES members on OSHA's proposed SNAP policy.

    Report prepared by: Richard L. Harris, Alliance Coordinator, Office of Outreach Services Alliances, April 6, 2005