ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
and the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA)
September 24, 2009

1. Alliance Background  
   
   Date Signed
   
   September 24, 2008
   
   Evaluation Period
   
   September 24, 2008 - September 23, 2009
   
   Overview
    

   The OSHA and AFSA Alliance focuses on providing AFSA's members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to material handling and fall hazards and addressing motor vehicle safety issues. 

   Implementation Team Members
   
   OSHA:
    

   Todd Briggs - Office of Outreach Services and Alliances (OOSA), Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs (DCSP)
   Michael Buchet - Office of Construction Services (OCS), Directorate of Construction (DOC)
   Mat Chibbaro - Office of Safety Systems (OSS), Directorate of Standards and Guidance (DSG)
   Joe Hajdusiewicz - OCS, DOC
   Bill Hamilton, - OSS, DSG
   Barney Lawrence - OOSA, DCSP
   Eric Lahaie - OOSA, DCSP
   Dean McKenzie - OCS, DOC
   Rob Swick - OOSA, DCSP
   Danezza Quintero - OCS, DOC
   Elizabeth (Bea) Way - OOSA, DCSP

   AFSA:
    

   Janet Knowles - Vice President of Marketing & Communications
   Jeff Livaudais - Director of Membership
   Steve Muncy - President

2. Implementation Team Meetings
    

   September 24, 2008 - Implementation Team Meeting
   January 28, 2009 - Implementation Team Meeting
   May 26, 2009 - Product Development Workgroup
   July 9, 2009 - Implementation Team Meeting

3. Results

   1. Events and Products

      Training and Education Goal

      • Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop training and education programs for fire sprinkler installers regarding material handling, fall and motor vehicle safety issues and to provide expertise in communicating such information to employers and employees in the construction industry.

      During this evaluation period, the OSHA and AFSA Alliance Implementation Team has not completed work on programs or projects to address this goal.

      Outreach and Communication Goals

      • Work with OSHA to provide expertise in developing information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and to provide expertise in developing ways of communicating such information (e.g. print and OSHA's and AFSA's Web sites) to employers and employees in the fire sprinkler installation industry.

      Products

      AFSA and OSHA Alliance-related Web Page

      AFSA created and maintains an OSHA and AFSA Alliance Web page on the AFSA Web site (www.firesprinkler.org).  The page has information on the OSHA and AFSA Alliance and links to the OSHA Web site.  In addition, the Web site hosts resources developed by the AFSA through the OSHA and AFSA  Alliance including the "How to Give a Tool Box Talk" tip sheet and "Job Site Foreman Safety Responsibilities" tip sheet.

      OSHA and AFSA Alliance Web Page

      OSHA created and maintains an OSHA and AFSA Web page that is posted on the OSHA Web site.  The page includes the OSHA and AFSA Alliance agreement, this annual report, news releases, information on activities and events of the Alliance and links to resources developed by AFSA through the Alliance Program. 

      OSHA Electronic Tools

      Through the OSHA and AFSA Alliance, AFSA representatives are participating on the editorial boards for the following Safety and Health Topics pages:

      • • Fall Protection
        • Fire Safety
        • Motor Vehicle Safety
       
      • Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or AFSA'sconferences, local meetings, or other events, including the AFSA Convention and Exhibition.

      Texas Fire Sprinkler Contractors Association Monthly Meeting, April 17, 2009, Dallas, Texas

      On April 17, 2009, Dean Wingo, Assistant Regional Administrator, Region VI, Dallas, Texas Area Office, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation "10 Most Frequent OSHA Violations" to sprinkler industry business owners, installers and safety and health professionals during the Texas Fire Sprinkler Contractors Association Monthly Meeting in Dallas, Texas.

      Louisiana Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association Monthly Meeting, April 21, 2009, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

      On April 17, 2009, Dorinda Folse, Area Director, Region VI, Baton Rouge, Louisiana Area Office, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation "OSHA Compliance Activity under the Obama Administration" to sprinkler industry business owners, installers and safety and health profession during Louisiana Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association Monthly Meeting in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

      Texas Fire Sprinkler Contractors Association Monthly Meeting, May 15, 2009, Houston, Texas

      On May 15, 2009, James Shelton, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region VI, Houston North, Texas Area Office, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation "10 Most Frequent OSHA Violations" to sprinkler industry business owners, installers and safety and health professionals at the Texas Fire Sprinkler Contractors Association Monthly Meeting in Houston, Texas.

      Mid Atlantic Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association Monthly Meeting, May 21, 2009, Bucks County, Pennsylvania

      On May 21, 2009, Scott Shimandle, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region III, Allentown, Pennsylvania Area Office, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation "10 Most Frequent OSHA Violations" to sprinkler industry business owners, installers and safety and health professionals during a Mid Atlantic Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association Monthly Meeting in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

      Connecticut Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association Monthly Meeting, June 11, 2009, Hartford, Connecticut

      On June 11, 2009, Scott Shimandle, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region III, Allentown, Pennsylvania Area Office, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation "10 Most Frequent OSHA Violations" to sprinkler industry business owners, installers and safety and health professionals during a Connecticut Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association Monthly Meeting in Hartford, Connecticut.

      Connecticut Chapter of the Greater Bay Area Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association Monthly Meeting, September 3, 2009, Pleasanton, California

      On September 3, 2009, Scott Shimandle, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region III, Allentown, Pennsylvania Area Office, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation "10 Most Frequent OSHA Violations" to sprinkler industry business owners, installers and safety and health professionals during a Connecticut Chapter of the Greater Bay Area Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association Monthly Meeting in Pleasanton, California.

      • Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects on safety and health issues, including those related to fire sprinkler installation, that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.

      2009 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week, May 3-9, 2009

      The AFSA and more than 55 other Alliance Program participants supported 2009 NAOSH Week. Sponsored annually by the American Society of Safety Engineers, an Alliance Program participant, and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, the Week focuses on the importance of preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace. The theme for 2009 NAOSH Week was "Safety Means Always Coming Home." 

      To help support the week, AFSA posted information about the Week on the AFSA Alliance-related Web page.

      • Encourage AFSA local boards to build relationships with OSHA's Regional and Area Offices to address health and safety issues, including fall protection and materials handling.

      Local AFSA Chapter Meetings

      During the reporting period, Regional, Area Office and State Plan State representatives were introduced to several AFSA local boards and their constituent workers and those relationships are on-going.  For more information, please see the "Speak, exhibit, or appear" goal listed above.

      Promoting the National Dialogue on Workplace Safety and Health Goal

      • Convene or participate in forums, roundtable discussions, or stakeholder meetings on ground support operations issues to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.
       
      • The OSHA and Airline Group Alliance Implementation Team was unable to convene or participate in forums, roundtable discussions, or stakeholder meetings though the Alliance during the reporting period. The team expects to meet this goal over the next year.

      OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable and Joint Meeting of the Fall Protection and Design for Safety Workgroups

      On February 24, 2009, a representative from the American Fire Sprinkler Association participated in the OSHA Alliance Program Joint Fall Protection and Design for Safety Workgroup Meeting in Washington, DC. During the meeting, Alliance Program participants received OSHA updates, discussed products developed through the Joint Fall Protection and Design for Safety Workgroup, including the draft Construction Workplace Designs for Safety products, and identified potential projects and compliance assistance resources to help address safety and health hazards in the construction industry.

   2. Executive Summary

      During the OSHA and AFSA Alliance's first year, the organizations established a very productive working relationship.  Through the OSHA and AFSA Alliance,
      AFSA representatives are sharing their expertise by participation in reviewing OSHA's electronic assistance tools.  AFSA members are serving on the editorial boards for Fall Protection, Fire Safety, and Motor Vehicle Safety and Health Topics pages.

      In addition, AFSA invited an OSHA representative to give a presentation during six local AFSA Meetings.  OSHA Regional, Area Office and State Plan State representatives made presentations to AFSA local boards and their constituent workers. 

      Finally as part of their outreach, AFSA supported 2009 NAOSH Week and participated in the February 24, 2009 Joint Fall Protection and Design for Safety and Workgroup Meeting.

   3. Alliance Program Reach
       

      Type of Activity (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.)	Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
      OSHA and AFSA Web Page site on the OSHA Web site	3,355
      AFSA and OSHA Web page on the AFSA Web site	Data Not Available
      OSHA Fall Protection Safety and Health Topics page	7,266
      OSHA Fire Safety Safety and Health Topics page	12,931
      OSHA Motor Vehicle Safety Safety and Health Topics page	9,007
      September 25, 2008: "OSHA Forms a New Alliance with the American Fire Sprinkler Association," OSHA News Release	69 News Services
      September 25, 2008: "OSHA and the American Fire Sprinkler Association Form New Alliance," ChicagoLand Construction News	Data Not Available
      September 29, 2008: "OSHA Forms New Alliance with American Fire Sprinkler Association," Occupational Health & Safety Magazine	Data Not Available
      October 6, 2008: "OSHA Partners with Fire Sprinkler, Supply Industries for Safety," Facilities Management News	Data Not Available
      October 10, 2008: "OSHA Forms a New Alliance with the American Fire Sprinkler Association, Safety Online	Data Not Available
      October 11, 2008: "Occupational Safety and Health Administration, American Fire Sprinkler Association Team Up," Topix.Net News Alerts	Data Not Available
      October 11, 2008: "Occupational Safety and Health Administration, American Fire Sprinkler Association Team Up," Fire Engineering	Data Not Available
      October 13, 2008: "OSHA Forms New Alliance with AFSA," PM Engineer	Data Not Available
      December 2008: "OSHA Alliances," OSHA Up to Date	62 News Services
      April 21, 2009: Louisiana Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association Monthly Meeting, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, "OSHA Compliance Activity under the Obama Administration" Speaker: Dorinda Folse, Region VI, Baton Rouge, Louisiana Area Office, USDOL-OSHA	10
      April 17, 2009: Texas Fire Sprinkler Contractors Association Monthly Meeting, Dallas, Texas, "10 Most Frequent OSHA Violations" Speaker: Dean Wingo, Assistant Regional Administrator, Region VI, Dallas, Texas Area Office, USDOL-OSHA	12
      May 15, 2009: Texas Fire Sprinkler Contractors Association Monthly Meeting, Houston, Texas, "10 Most Frequent OSHA Violations" Speaker: James Shelton, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region VI, Houston North, Texas Area Office, USDOL-OSHA	15
      May 21, 2009: Mid Atlantic Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association Monthly Meeting, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, "10 Most Frequent OSHA Violations" Speaker: Scott Shimandle, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region III, Allentown, Pennsylvania Area Office, USDOL-OSHA	23
      June 2009: "Association News," SprinklerAge Alliance: AFSA	5,000
      June 11, 2009: Connecticut Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association Monthly Meeting, Hartford, Connecticut, "10 Most Frequent OSHA Violations" Speaker: Walter Cienaski, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region I, Springfield, Massachusetts Area Office, USDOL-OSHA	25
      September 3, 2009: Greater Bay Area Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association Monthly Meeting, Pleasanton, California, "American Fire Sprinkler Association Alliance" Speaker: Peter Wilsey, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region IX, USDOL-OSHA	25
      September 3, 2009: Greater Bay Area Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association Monthly Meeting, Pleasanton, California, "Safety is No Accident" Speaker: Dave Strickler, Senior Safety Consultant, Cal/OSHA	25
      Total	37,694

4. Upcoming Milestones

   Over the next year, OSHA and AFSA will continue to work together to providing AFSA's members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to material handling and fall hazards and addressing motor vehicle safety issues.  The OSHA and AFSA Alliance Implementation Team will develop a series of toolbox talks that address hazards in the fire sprinkler instillation industry.

   AFSA representatives will continue to serve on three Safety and Health Topics page's editorial boards and support 2010 NAOSH Week. Moreover, AFSA will a representative from invite an OSHA representative to give a presentation at the AFSA Annual Convention and Expo 2009 which will be held in San Diego, California on October 14-18, 2009. Finally, AFSA will invite OSHA representatives to participate in local AFSA chapter meetings to help promote OSHA's Cooperative Programs.

Report prepared by: Rob Swick, Program Analyst, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, December 31, 2009.