ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
and the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA)
September 24, 2010

1. Alliance Background  
   
   Date Signed
   
   September 24, 2008
   
   Evaluation Period
   
   September 24, 2009 - September 23, 2010
   
   Overview

   The OSHA and AFSA Alliance focuses on providing AFSA's members and others in the fire sprinkler installation industry 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:

   Mat Chibbaro - Office of Safety Systems (OSS), Directorate of Standards and Guidance (DSG)
   Bill Hamilton - OSS, DSG
   Bruce Love - Office of Small Business Assistance, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs (DCSP)
   Dean McKenzie - Office of Construction Services, Directorate of Construction Morgan Seuberling Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, DCSP
   Rob Swick - OOSA, DCSP
   
   AFSA:

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

2. Implementation Team Meetings

   December 2, 2009 - Implementation Team Meeting
   May 19, 2010 - Implementation Team Meeting
   August 19, 2010 - 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

      • Toolbox Talks-Introduction and Overview

      Through the OSHA and AFSA Alliance, the AFSA developed a document that describes how to give a toolbox talk and a fact sheet that addresses the best practices for the job site foreman to help ensure a safe workplace for the worker. AFSA posted the Toolbox Talks-Introduction and Overview on its Web site and OSHA linked to it on the OSHA and AFSA Web page and the Alliance Program Participant Developed Product page on the OSHA Web.

      • Human Factors (Ergonomics) Series

      Through the OSHA and AFSA Alliance, the AFSA developed a series of toolbox talks that addresses Back Injuries in Construction; Healthy Backs in the Mechanical Trades; Lifts & Loads: Lifting by Two Persons; Material Handling on Construction Sites; Mini Breaks During the Day; and Minimizing Musculoskeletal Fatigue. AFSA posted the Human Factors Series of toolbox talks on its Web site and OSHA established a link to it on the OSHA and AFSA Web page and the Alliance Program Participant Developed Product page on the OSHA Web.

      • Safe Driving Series

      Through the OSHA and AFSA Alliance, the AFSA developed a series of toolbox talks that addresses Backing Problems; Courtesy and Safe Driving; Drive Defensively; The Right-of-Way; Roads and Weather; Seat Belts; and Seat Belts: The Three Collisions. AFSA posted the Safe Driving Series of toolbox talks on its Web site and OSHA established a link to it on the OSHA and AFSA Web page and the Alliance Program Participant Developed Product page on the OSHA Web.

      • Fall Protection Series

      Through the OSHA and AFSA Alliance, the AFSA developed a series of toolbox talks that addresses Backing Problems; Courtesy and Safe Driving; Drive Defensively; The Right-of-Way; Roads and Weather; Seat Belts; and Seat Belts: The Three Collisions. AFSA posted the Safe Driving Series of toolbox talks on its Web site and OSHA established a link to it on the OSHA and AFSA Web page and the Alliance Program Participant Developed Product page on the OSHA Web.

      • Electrical Safety Series

      Through the OSHA and AFSA Alliance, the AFSA developed a series of toolbox talks that addresses Backing Problems; Courtesy and Safe Driving; Drive Defensively; The Right-of-Way; Roads and Weather; Seat Belts; and Seat Belts: The Three Collisions. AFSA posted the Safe Driving Series of toolbox talks on its Web site and OSHA established a link to it on the OSHA and AFSA Web page and the Alliance Program Participant Developed Product page on the OSHA Web.

      AFSA and OSHA Alliance-related Web Page

      AFSA developed and maintains an OSHA and AFSA Alliance Web page on the AFSA Web site. 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 Toolbox Talks-Introduction and Overview, the Human Factor Series, the Safe Driving Series, the Fall Protection Series and the Electrical Safety Series.

      OSHA and AFSA Alliance Web Page

      OSHA developed and maintains an OSHA and AFSA Web page that is posted on the OSHA Web site. The page includes the Alliance agreement, annual reports, 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 continuing to participate 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's conferences, local meetings, or other events, including the AFSA Convention and Exhibition.

      Events

      AFSA Annual Convention and Expo, October 14-18, 2009, San Diego, California

      OSHA supported AFSA's Annual Convention and Expo through the following activity:

      • • Mat Chibbaro, Fire Protection Engineer, Office of Safety Systems, Directorate of Standards and Guidance, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation entitled "Fire Service Features of Sprinkler and Standpipe Systems. "

      Southern California Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association Monthly Meeting, November 18, 2009, Anaheim, California

      OSHA supported the Southern California Chapter Monthly Meeting through the following activity:

      • Herman Jett, Area Manager, Cal/OSHA Consultation Service gave a presentation entitled "What Cal/OSHA is all about?"

      Mid Atlantic Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association Monthly Meeting, February 2, 2010, Richmond, Virginia

      OSHA supported the Mid Atlantic Chapter Monthly Meeting through the following activity:

      • Leo Edwards, Area Director, Region III, Norfolk, Virginia, Area Office, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation entitled "The Top Ten Construction Infractions."

      Mid Atlantic Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association Monthly Meeting, March 18, 2010, Bucks County, Pennsylvania

      OSHA supported the Mid Atlantic Chapter Monthly Meeting through the following activity:

      • Scott Shimandle, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region III, Allentown, Pennsylvania Area Office, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation on the "Ten Most Frequent OSHA Violations."

      Northern New England Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association Monthly Meeting, May 25, 2010, West Lebanon, New Hampshire

      OSHA supported the Northern New England Chapter Monthly Meeting through the following activity:

      • Andrew Palhof, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region I, Concord, New Hampshire Area Office, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation entitled "OSHA Updates and the Ten Most Frequent Violations. "

      Georgia Fire Affiliate Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association Monthly Meeting, September 14, 2010, Atlanta, Georgia

      OSHA supported the Northern New England Chapter Monthly Meeting through the following activity:

      • Jonathon Worrell, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region IV, Tucker, Atlanta East Area Office, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation entitled "What's New in OSHA?"
      • 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.

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

      • 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.

      Events

      OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable Meeting, Department of Labor, November 19, 2009, Washington, DC

      On November 19, 2009, a representative from the American Fire Sprinkler Association participated in the OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable meeting in Washington, D.C. During the meeting, Alliance Program participants received OSHA updates, discussed products developed through the Roundtable, including the next series of draft Construction Workplace Design Solutions, and identified potential projects and compliance assistance resources to help address safety and health hazards in the construction industry.

      2010 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week, May 2-8, 2010

      The American Fire Sprinkler Association and a number of other Alliance Program participants supported 2010 NAOSH Week, Mission NAOSH 2010: Safe Workplaces. 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.

      To help support the week, AFSA emailed the 2010 NAOSH Week promotional materials to AFSA staff and local chapters and published information on the week in the AFSA newsletter.

      OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable Meeting, Department of Labor, July 29, 2010, Washington, DC

      On July 29, 2010, a representative from the American Fire Sprinkler Association participated in the OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable meeting in Washington, D.C. During the meeting, Alliance Program participants received OSHA updates, discussed products developed through the Roundtable, including the next series of draft Construction Workplace Design Solutions, 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 second year, the organizations further established a productive working relationship. Through the OSHA and A FSA Alliance, AFSA developed and disseminated four series of toolbox talks focusing on ergonomics, safe driving, fall protection, and electrical safety. In addition, AFSA developed a document describing how to give toolbox talks and a fact sheet addressing the best practices for the job site foreman to help ensure a safe workplace for the worker. AFSA posted the introduction on toolbox talks and overview fact sheet as well as the four toolbox talk's series on its Web site. OSHA linked to them from the OSHA and AFSA Web page and the Alliance Program Participant Developed Product page on the OSHA Web.

      AFSA representatives are sharing their expertise with OSHA by participation in reviewing OSHA's electronic assistance tools. AFSA members are serving on editorial boards for Fall Protection, Fire Safety, and Motor Vehicle Safety and Health Topics pages.

      In addition, AFSA invited an OSHA representative from the National Office to give a presentation during their Annual Convention and Expo. Also, OSHA personnel from Regional, Area Office and State Plan States gave presentations to local boards and their constituents workers during AFSA Chapter Meetings within the reporting period.

      Finally, as part of their outreach, AFSA supported and promoted 2010 NAOSH Week and participated in two Alliance Program Construction Roundtables.

   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	Data Not Available
      AFSA and OSHA Web page on the AFSA Web site	Data Not Available
      OSHA Fall Protection Safety and Health Topics page	73,450
      OSHA Fire Safety Safety and Health Topics page	15,672
      OSHA Motor Vehicle Safety Safety and Health Topics page	16,152
      October 15, 2009: AFSA Annual Convention and Expo, San Diego, California Speaker: Mat Chibbaro, Fire Protection Engineer, Office of Safety Systems, Directorate of Standards and Guidance, USDOL-OSHA	Data Not Available
      November 18, 2009: Southern California Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association Monthly Meeting, Anaheim, California Speaker: Herman Jett, Area Manager, Cal/OSHA Consultation Service	Data Not Available
      February 2, 2010: Mid Atlantic Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association Monthly Meeting, Richmond, Virginia Speaker: Leo Edwards, Area Director, Region III, Norfolk, Virginia, Area Office, USDOL-OSHA	23
      March 18, 2010: Mid Atlantic Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association Monthly Meeting, Bucks County, Pennsylvania Speaker: Scott Shimandle, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region III, Allentown, Pennsylvania Area Office, USDOL-OSHA	26
      May 25, 2010: Northern New England Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association Monthly Meeting, West Lebanon, New Hampshire Speaker: Andrew Palhof, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region I, Concord, New Hampshire Area Office, USDOL-OSHA	8
      September 14, 2010: Georgia Fire Affiliates Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association Monthly Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia Speaker: Jonathon Worrell, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region IV, Tucker, Atlanta East Area Office, USDOL-OSHA	30
      March 2010: "OSHA's Electronic Resources for Small Business" SprinklerAge	5,000
      Total	110,361

4. Upcoming Milestones

   Over the next year, OSHA and AFSA will continue to work together to provide AFSA's members and other industry workers with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help to protect worker 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 continue to develop toolbox talks for PPE and Hazard Communication to address hazards in the fire sprinkler instillation industry.

   AFSA representatives will continue to serve on the editorial boards for three Safety and Health Topics pages and support 2011 NAOSH Week. Moreover, AFSA will invite an OSHA representative to participate at the 2010 AFSA Annual Convention and Expo, held in Providence, Rhode Island on September 29-October 3, 2010 and the 2011 AFSA Annual Convention and Expo, held in San Antonio, Texas on September 14-18, 2011. 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.