APA - Alliance Annual Report - June 14, 2007

ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
and the
American Pyrotechnics Association (APA)
June 14, 2007)

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed

    June 9, 2004

    Date Renewed

    June 22, 2006

    Overview

    The OSHA and American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) Alliance provides APA members, OSHA personnel, and others, including small businesses, with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety. In particularly, the Alliance focuses on reducing and preventing accidents involving the manufacturing, transportation, storage, sale, and handling of commercial display fireworks and consumer fireworks and the use of commercial display fireworks.

    Implementation Team Members

    OSHA:

    Dale Caldwell
    Office of Small Business Assistance (OSBA)
    Mat Chibbaro
    Directorate of Standards and Guidance (DSG)
    Beau Ellis
    Directorate of Enforcement Programs (DEP)
    Mark Hagemann
    DSG
    Rick Harris
    Office of Outreach Services and Alliances (OOSA)
    Lee Anne Jillings
    OOSA
    Lisa Ramber
    OOSA
    Sherman Williamson
    DEP

    APA:

    Julie Heckman
    Executive Director
    Gregg Smith
    Safety Program Manager

    Evaluation Period

    June 9, 2006 – June 8, 2007

  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    August 3, 2006
    Implementation Team Meeting
    November 14, 2006
    Implementation Team Meeting
    March 6, 2007
    Implementation Team Meeting
    May 29, 2007
    Implementation Team Meeting

    In addition to these formal meetings, the OOSA and APA staff maintained regular contact throughout the reporting period to monitor the Alliance's progress and results.

  3. Results

    1. Events and Products

      Training and Education Goal

      • Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop training and education programs on the safe and proper use of commercial display fireworks products. These programs would be delivered to OSHA personnel and other interested parties.

      Events

      Manufacturer, Consumer, and Display Site Training Seminars

      Building on the successes of the Manufacturer, Consumer, and Display Site Training seminars previously conducted in the regions, OSHA and APA continue to work together to schedule another series of training seminars. APA conducted six one-day pyrotechnics safety training seminars for OSHA staff and local fire and public enforcement officials. Approximately 175 attendees participated in the training seminars which were conducted by Gregg Smith, APA Safety Program Manager, as follows:

      • June 12, 2006 New York, New York
      • June 15, 2006 Boston, Massachusetts
      • June 20, 2006 Atlanta, Georgia
      • June 22, 2006 Kansas City, Missouri
      • June 26, 2006 Denver, Colorado
      • April 26, 2007 Shoreline, Washington

      Topics discussed at the seminars included a review of applicable codes and regulations regarding the sale, manufacture, storage and transportation of consumer fireworks and industry best practices at public fireworks display sites. The seminar also covered fireworks display site safety and management and discussed types of displays (e.g. aerial, low level, land, floating platform and barge), display site venues and permits, equipment types and set-ups, personal protective equipment, lead pyrotechnician responsibilities and dealing with emergencies on the display site. The attendees also heard an overview of the Safe Explosives Act and its impact on the professional fireworks industry.

      Outreach and Communication Goals

      • Work with OSHA to provide expertise to OSHA in developing information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and to provide ways of communicating such information (e.g. print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools and links from OSHA's and APA's Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry.

      Products

      OSHA Assistance for the Pyrotechnics Industry Safety and Health Topics Page

      The OSHA Assistance for the Pyrotechnics Industry Safety and Health Topics page, developed through the OSHA and APA Alliance, includes two modules: Retail Sales Fireworks and Display Fireworks. The modules provide information on common pyrotechnics industry hazards associated with the areas and possible solutions to the hazards. The page also provides information on what regulations apply to the industry and where to find additional information. During this reporting period, the Topics page had over 17,000 visitors.

      APA representatives review the page and serve as members of the page's editorial board. The following APA representatives are members of the page's editorial board:

      • Julie Heckmann - Executive Director
      • Gregg Smith - Safety Program Manager
      • Phil Grucci - Fireworks by Grucci, Inc.

      OSHA and APA Alliance Web Page

      OSHA continues to update its OSHA and APA Alliance Web page on the Agency's Web site. The Web page includes links to the OSHA and APA Alliance agreement, news releases, a photograph of the signing ceremony, activities and events, products and resources, and milestones and successes. For more information on the number of visits to the OSHA and APA Alliance Web page, please see the Alliance Program Reach table in Section C of this report.

      APA and OSHA Alliance Web Page

      APA continues to maintain an APA and OSHA Alliance Web page on the association's Web site, which links to the OSHA and APA Alliance Web page on OSHA's Web site. Information on the OSHA and APA Alliance renewal agreement signing and an OSHA news release highlighting the Alliance renewal were added to the page. In addition, the APA and OSHA Alliance Web page links to OSHA's pyrotechnics-related compliance assistance resources on the agency's Web site and provides information on the Manufacturer, Consumer, and Display Site Training Seminars for OSHA staff.

      Print and Electronic Media

      Information on the OSHA and APA Alliance and products have appeared in a number of print and online media, including: the Alliance Program's Alliance Quarterly Review, OSHA's QuickTakes, an OSHA news release and APA's newsletter, The Bulletin. For more information on the print and electronic media, please see the Alliance Program Reach Section of this report.

      • Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA or APA events such as APA's Winter Educational Conference, Fall Annual Meeting, local meetings, or other events.

      Event

      APA 58th Annual Meeting, Renaissance Nashville Hotel, September 12-17, 2006, Nashville, Tennessee

      On September 14, 2006, Garret Rea, Industrial Hygiene Supervisor, Consultative Services, Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TOSHA), gave a presentation to 70 attendees on OSHA's Consultation Program to APA's members in an "OSHA Consultation Services Workshop" during the APA 58th Annual Meeting.

      • Promote and encourage APA members' or worksites participation in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Programs, and the Consultation Program and its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.

      On September 14, 2006, Garret Rea, Industrial Hygiene Supervisor, Consultative Services, Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TOSHA), gave a presentation on OSHA's Consultation Program during an "OSHA Consultation Services Workshop." Mr. Rea distributed OSHA's Small Business Handbook and a number of relevant safety tips sheets including OSHA's The OSHA Consultation Program Fact Sheet and answered questions on the program from the 70 attendees.

      • Share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding APA's best practices or effective approaches and publicize results through outreach by APA and through OSHA- or APA-developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any other applicable forum).

      Product

      APA Manufacturer, Consumer, and Display Site Training Seminars Slide Presentation

      The Manufacturer, Consumer, and Display Site Training seminars continue to introduce OSHA staff and local enforcement officials to the pyrotechnics industry best practices for the safe handling, use, transportation and storage of pyrotechnics. The seminars were conducted by APA's Safety Program Manager Gregg Smith for OSHA staff and others and in Kansas City, MO; New York, NY; Atlanta, GA; Denver, CO and Boston, MA for over 175 attendees.

      Gregg Smith developed a slide presentation that was presented to OSHA staff and others during the APA Manufacturer, Consumer, and Display Site Training Seminars conducted for OSHA staff in 2005, 2006 and 2007. APA shared a copy of the slide presentation with OSHA and on August 8, 2006, OSHA posted the slide presentation on the Agency's Intranet for OSHA's National, Regional and Area Office staff to use as a resource.

      As a result of the training seminars, Gregg Smith, APA Safety Program Manager, has been working closely with OSHA's Regional and Area Offices' staff, through the relationships that developed while establishing dates and locations to conduct the training seminars. In addition, Gregg is answering questions and providing technical expertise and guidance on pyrotechnics industry best practices to OSHA's staff in the regions.

      Please also see the Training and Education Goal section for information on the Manufacturer, Consumer, and Display Site Training Seminars.

      Promoting the National Dialogue Goals:

      • Develop and disseminate case studies illustrating the business value of safety and health and publicize their results.

        During this reporting period, the OSHA and APA Alliance Implementation Team did not start work on programs or projects to address this goal.

      • Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on safety and health issues to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.

        During this reporting period, the OSHA and APA Alliance Implementation Team did not start work on programs or projects to address this goal.

    2. Executive Summary

      In the third year of the Alliance, OSHA and APA continued its excellent working relationship. Through their Alliance, OSHA and APA continue to work together to reduce injuries and exposure to pyrotechnics industry hazards. An OSHA and APA Alliance renewal agreement was signed by the organizations on June 22, 2006.

      OSHA continues to update its OSHA and APA Alliance Web page on the Agency's Web site. The Web page includes links to the OSHA and APA Alliance agreement, news releases, a photograph of the signing ceremony, activities and events, products and resources, and milestones and successes. In addition, OSHA has also promoted the OSHA and APA Alliance in its electronic media including the Alliance Program's, Alliance Quarterly Review and OSHA QuickTakes. APA has also published Department of Labor articles in its newsletter, The Bulletin.

      APA continues to promote the Alliance through its APA and OSHA Alliance Web page, which links to the OSHA and APA Alliance Web page on OSHA's Web site.

      The Alliance continues to review the OSHA Assistance for the Pyrotechnics Industry Safety and Health Topics Page on the agency's Web site. In addition, APA representatives, Julie Heckman, Gregg Smith and Phil Grucci continue to serve on the OSHA editorial board for the page.

      Through the Alliance, at APA's 58th Annual Meeting, September 12-16, 2006, in Nashville, Tennessee, a representative from TOSHA conducted a workshop on OSHA's Consultation Program, distributed safety and health information and answered questions from APA's members.

      The OSHA and APA implementation team continued to work together to conduct training sessions for OSHA staff and local public fire and enforcement officials. The training seminars have continued to increase the OSHA, state and local fire and enforcement code officials' knowledge of pyrotechnics industry hazards and best practices to prevent injuries and illnesses.

      The seminars continue to introduce OSHA staff and local enforcement officials to the pyrotechnics industry best practices for the safe handling, use, transportation and storage of pyrotechnics. The Manufacturer, Consumer, and Display Site Training seminars were conducted by APA's Safety Manager Gregg Smith for OSHA staff and others and in Kansas City, MO; New York, NY; Atlanta, GA; Denver, CO and Boston, MA for over 175 attendees. In addition, APA shared with OSHA the APA-developed slide show presentation from the training seminars, which the Agency posted on its Limited Access Page (LAP).

      As a result of the training seminars, Gregg Smith, APA Safety Program Manager, has been working closely with OSHA's Regional and Area Offices' staff, through the relationships that developed while establishing dates and locations to conduct the training seminars. In addition, Gregg is answering questions and providing technical expertise and guidance on pyrotechnics industry best practices to OSHA's staff in the regions.

    3. Alliance Program Reach

      Type of Activity Number of Individuals Reached
      June 12, 2006, "Manufacturer, Consumer, and Display Site Training Seminar"
      New York, NY      		 17
      June 15, 2006, "Manufacturer, Consumer, and Display Site Training Seminar"
      Boston, MA      		 20
      June 20, 2006, "Manufacturer, Consumer, and Display Site Training Seminar"
      Atlanta, GA      		 23
      June 22, 2006, "Manufacturer, Consumer, and Display Site Training Seminar"
      Kansas City, MO      		 22
      June 22, 2006, "OSHA, American Pyrotechnics Association Renew Alliance"
      OSHA News Release      		 68 News Services
      June 26, 2006, "Manufacturer, Consumer, and Display Site Training Seminar"
      Denver, CO      		 65
      June 2006, "Renewed National Alliances"
      Alliance Quarterly Review      		 300
      June 2006, "Safely Handling Fireworks Aim of Training Course"
      Alliance Quarterly Review      		 300
      July 1, 2006, "National Alliance Signed, One Renewal"
      OSHA QuickTakes      		 55,000
      July 17, 2006, "APA and OSHA renew Alliance"
      The Bulletin      		 Data not available
      OSHA's Assistance for the Pyrotechnics Industry, Safety and Health Topics Page 17,166
      APA 58th Annual Convention and Trade Show, September 12-16, 2006,
      Nashville, TN

      "OSHA Consultation Services Workshop"
      Speaker:
      • Garret Rea, Industrial Hygiene Supervisor, Consultative Services, Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development
      		70
      December 2006, "Alliance-Associated Information Products and Training Programs Produced in FY 2006"
      Alliance Quarterly Review      		 300
      OSHA and APA Alliance Web page on OSHA's Web site 6,081
      APA and OSHA Alliance Web page on APA's Web site Data not available
      April 26, 2007, "Manufacturer, Consumer, and Display Site Training Seminar"
      Shoreline, WA      		 30
      TOTAL 79,462
  4. Upcoming Milestones

    In the upcoming year, OSHA and APA will continue their excellent working relationship and develop products in support of the goals in the Alliance agreement.

    For example, OSHA and APA will continue to build on the successes of all of the previous training seminars by conducting additional Manufacturer, Consumer, and Display Site Training seminars in 2007 in Erie, Pennsylvania; Chicago, Illinois and either Dallas or Houston, Texas. The sessions will cover fireworks display site safety and management and discuss types of displays (e.g. aerial, low level, land, floating platform and barge), display site venues and permits, equipment types and set-ups, personal protective equipment, lead pyrotechnician responsibilities and dealing with emergencies on the display site. The attendees will also hear an overview of the Safe Explosives Act and its impact on the professional fireworks industry.

    In addition, APA will promote OSHA's cooperative programs and resources to its membership by publishing Department of Labor-developed articles and Alliance Program email alerts in the association's newsletter. OSHA and APA are also planning to present an OSHA Short Course, "Introduction to OSHA for Small Business" at APA's 59th Annual Meeting, October 2-6, 2007 in Dallas, TX.

    Further, APA will continue its efforts to develop a pocket card on Proximate Fireworks for Venues and Fireworks Technicians. APA will share the draft pocket card with OSHA for review and feedback, once the pocket card has been finalized. In addition, the Alliance implementation team will consider ways to develop an Alliance Program product from the APA Operator Training Program that APA is developing for the pyrotechnics industry.

    Finally, through the Alliance, OSHA and APA will continue to provide information to update OSHA's Assistance for the Pyrotechnics Industry Safety and Health Topics page. APA representatives, Julie Heckman, Gregg Smith and Phil Grucci will continue to serve as members of the editorial board and will provide feedback, as appropriate.

    Report prepared by: Richard L. Harris, Alliance Coordinator, Office of Outreach Services Alliances, June 14, 2007