ASSP - Alliance Annual Report - March 22, 2005

ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT
Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the
American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE)
March 22, 2005

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed

    December 4, 2002

    Date Renewed

    June 8, 2004

    Overview

    The OSHA and ASSE Alliance focuses using the organizations' collective expertise to help advance a culture of prevention while sharing best practices and technical knowledge, especially in the areas of ergonomics and reducing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and motor vehicle safety. In addition, the OSHA and ASSE Alliance is addressing issues that impact non-English speakers and youth employees in the workplace and promoting the annual North American Occupational Safety & Health (NAOSH) Week.

    Implementation Team Members

    OSHA:

    Cathy Cronin

    Office of Training and Education

    Todd Briggs

    Office of Outreach Services and Alliances (OOSA)

    Lee Anne Jillings

    OOSA

    Lisa Ramber

    OOSA

    ASSE:

    John Clark

    Government Affairs Committee

    Bob DiSiervo

    Director, Professional Affairs

    Dave Heidorn

    Manager, Government Affairs and Policy

    Mark Hansen

    Past President

    Diana Preston

    Government Affairs Committee

    Evaluation Period

    December 4, 2003 through December 3, 2004

  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    • December 16, 2003 - Team Meeting
    • April 26, 2004 - Team Meeting
    • September 16, 2004 - Team Meeting
    • November 30, 2004 - Planning meeting for 2005 North American Occupational Safety and Health Week

     

    In addition to these formal meetings, the Alliance coordinators from each organization, Lisa Ramber and David Heidorn, spoke regularly on the phone to discuss and plan the activities and programs listed under events and products.

  3. Results

    1. Events and Products

       

      Outreach and Communication Goals

      • Sharing information through educational opportunities that provide the best and most up-to-date information regarding ergonomics and MSDs.

        During this evaluation period, no products or resources have been developed to meet this Alliance goal.

      • Seeking opportunities for ASSE members with industry-specific expertise in developing, implementing, or improving ergonomic programs to participate in stakeholder groups and other forums, and provide input into the development of ergonomic programs and MSD guidelines for the workplace.

      Products

      ASSE Ergonomics Task Force

      To address the ergonomics goals of the Alliance, ASSE established a member-driven Ergo Task Force of leading ergonomics practitioners and researchers to lead the association's efforts.

      Following are the ASSE members that are serving on the task force:

      • Mark Hansen
      • Lawrence Schulze
      • Phil Jacobs
      • Marsie De Oliviera

      Ergo Value Project

      ASSE's Ergonomics Task Force is continuing its work to collect information from the ASSE's membership on how to measure and demonstrate the value of ergonomics in the workplace. The association is seeking information on cost justification and value analysis for ergonomic improvement efforts and is asking its membership to answer a series of questions. After the information is gathered, it will be analyzed and a report will be produced.

      • Establishing avenues and processes for ASSE members to mentor and assist OSHA personnel as OSHA personnel proceed with professional certification.

      Events

      ASSE Professional Development Conference (PDC), "Safety 2004: Advancing the EH&S Profession," & Exposition, Las Vegas, Nevada, June 7 - 10, 2004

      A Mentoring Reception was held on June 8 at the 2004 PDC for OSHA staff interested in achieving professional safety and health certification. The session was attended by Paula White, Director of OSHA's Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs; ASSE's President Mark Hansen and Government Relations Committee Chairman Emory Knowles. In addition, representatives from ASSE's regional chapters attended the reception to answer questions regarding certification. Representatives from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), another Alliance Program participant, also attended the mentoring reception.

      Promoting the National Dialogue on Workplace Safety and Health Goals

      • Seeking joint opportunities to develop and disseminate information addressing ergonomics and MSDs at conferences, events and/or through print and electronic media, including informational links from OSHA's and ASSE's Web sites.

      Products

      ASSE Government Affairs Update

      ASSE's e-newsletter is distributed on an as needed basis to ASSE's Chapter Chairs, leaders and others interested in government affairs and recent regulatory and legislative activities. This newsletter regularly includes information on the Alliance Program and OSHA's activities.

      ASSE Alliance Program Web page

      ASSE has continued to update its ASSE and OSHA Alliance Web page that the association posted on its Web site. The page includes information on the Alliance and its activities.

      OSHA and ASSE Alliance Web Page

      OSHA continues to update the OSHA and ASSE Web page on its Web site that contains information on the Alliance, Products and Resources, Activities and Events, and Milestones and Successes.

      Publications and Newsletters

      Information and news releases on the signing of the OSHA and ASSE Alliance renewal agreement and the activities of the Alliance have appeared in publications produced by OSHA. In addition, information on the OSHA and ASSE Alliance has been published in a number of safety and health publications. Please see the chart in this report under "Alliance Program Reach" for additional information.

      • Promoting opportunities to speak, exhibit and/or appear at conferences, local meetings, and/or other events in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of ergonomic programs.

      Events

      ASSE National Capital Chapter, Crowne Plaza, Arlington, VA, April 6, 2004

      On April 6, 2004, then OSHA Assistant Secretary, John Henshaw, updated ASSE's National Capitol Chapter on the Department of Labor Employment Standards Administration's Safety, Health and Return-to- Employment (SHARE) initiative and the importance of safety and health professional certifications.

      American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Ergonomics Roundtable, Washington, DC, May 14, 2004

      AAOS, an Alliance participant, hosted other Alliance Program participants, including the Graphics Arts Coalition, The Dow Chemical Company and ASSE, at a meeting to discuss ergonomic developments and issues.

      ASSE Professional Development Conference (PDC), "Safety 2004: Advancing the EH&S Profession," & Exposition, Las Vegas, Nevada, June 7 - 10, 2004

      During the ASSE's 2004 PDC in Las Vegas Nevada, a number of OSHA's senior executive staff spoke to the attendees during plenary and workshop sessions, including:

      • June 8, 2004: then OSHA Assistant Secretary John Henshaw addressed the plenary session.
      • June 9, 2004: Stewart Burkhammer, P.E., CSP, OHST, Director of the Office of Construction Services, gave a presentation entitled "OSHA Construction Update."
      • June 9, 2004: Paula White, Director, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, gave a presentation entitled "VPP: Leaders in Safety & Health Excellence."

      In addition, OSHA maintained an exhibit booth during the conference and distributed the Agency's compliance assistance publications and answered the attendees' questions.

      2004 OSHA Compliance Assistance Training Sessions, Falls Church, Virginia, June 14 -18, 2004

      ASSE was an exhibitor at the 2004 OSHA Compliance Assistance Training Sessions.

      • Participating in forums and roundtable discussions to help develop innovative solutions to ergonomic and MSD issues in the workplace.

      2005 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week

      The OSHA and ASSE Alliance implementation team held a meeting on November 3, 2004 to begin planning events to kick-off and promote 2005 NAOSH Week, May 1-7, 2005 in Washington, D.C. and around the country. The goal of the annual NAOSH Week is to focus the attention of employers, employees, the general public and all partners in occupational safety, health and the environment on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace.

    2. Results

      During the second year of the OSHA and ASSE, the implementation team continued building on the successes that resulted from the Alliance's first year. In addition, OSHA and ASSE identified additional areas, young worker issues and motor vehicle safety, that the organizations agreed to address and added these issues to the Alliance's renewal agreement that was signed on June 8, 2004 during the ASSE's 2004 Annual Professional Development Conference. In addition, the organizations agreed to work together to promote NAOSH week through the renewal agreement.

      To meet the Alliance's goals, OSHA and ASSE continued a number projects that were started in the Alliance's first year (e.g. ASSE's Ergo Value Project), started new ones and continued to make presentations and exhibit to share information about the Alliance and the issues that are being addressed by the agreement.

      For example, on June 8 at ASSE's 2004 PDC "Safety 2004 Advancing the EH & S Profession," in Las Vegas, Nevada, OSHA's then Assistant Secretary John Henshaw spoke during the Plenary Session and the Alliance organized and held a Mentoring Reception for OSHA representatives on professional certification. On June 9, Paula White, OSHA, Director, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs made a presentation during a workshop; "Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP): Leaders in Safety & Health Excellence." During her presentation, Ms. White provided an overview of VPP, discussed the requirements for participation and shared the benefits of involvement from government and private sector representatives. Also on June 9, Stew Burkhammer, OSHA's Director of the Office of Construction Services, presented an "OSHA Construction Update." In addition, OSHA had a booth in the exhibition hall.

      OSHA and ASSE also took part in a number of additional conferences and events in 2004 where the organizations' promoted the Alliance Program and safety and health initiatives. On April 6, then OSHA Assistant Secretary John Henshaw spoke to the ASSE National Capital Chapter's meeting in Arlington, ASSE exhibited at OSHA's Compliance Assistance Training Sessions June 14-18 in Falls Church, Virginia and ASSE participated in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons' Ergonomics Roundtable on May 14 in Washington, DC. The organizations' also worked to promote their Alliance through OSHA's and ASSE's Web sites and publications

      The Association's chapters are continuing to recognize the value of working together with OSHA through the Alliance Program and are signing agreements with OSHA's Region's and Area Offices. Following are Regional Alliances that ASSE Chapters signed during the reporting period:

      Region II Avenel, Bayside, Manhattan, and Tarrytown Area Offices and the New York Metropolitan Chapter of ASSE (Metro ASSE), signed March 10, 2004

      Through the Alliance, the organizations are providing non-English speaking Hispanic workers with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect workers' safety and health, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to work-related hazards such as chemical, electrical, falls, excavations, and amputations.

      Region, IV, Birmingham Area Office, Jefferson County School System (JCSS) and the ASSE, signed May 26, 2004

      OSHA, JCSS, and the ASSE, are providing JCSS employees and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources in order to help protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing youth workers exposure to the prevalent work hazards associated with fields of occupation such as (but not limited to) home care, beauty care, office administration, drafting, industrial maintenance, automotive maintenance, heating and air conditioning mechanics, welding, woodworking, and general construction. An example of the work hazards include musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), bloodborne pathogens, falls, chemical exposure, machine guarding, electrical, and material handling.

    3. Alliance Program Reach
      Type of Activity (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.) Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
      April 6, 2004, ASSE National Capital Chapter, Crowne Plaza, Arlington, VA

      Speaker: John Henshaw, then OSHA Assistant Secretary      		 50
      May 14, 2004, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Ergonomics Roundtable, Washington, DC

      ASSE Participated      		 30
      June 7 - 10, 2004, ASSE PDC, "Safety 2004: Advancing the EH&S Profession," & Exposition, Las Vegas, Nevada

      OSHA Exhibited      		 2,000
      June 8, 2004, "American Society of Safety Engineers Renew Alliance, Ergonomics issues, motor vehicle safety, youth workers focus of agreement"

      OSHA News Release      		 25 News Services
      June 8, 2004, "American Society of Safety Engineers Renew Alliance, Ergonomics issues, motor vehicle safety, youth workers focus of agreement"

      ASSE News Release      		 Data not available
      June 8, 2004, ASSE Professional Development Conference (PDC), "Safety 2004: Advancing the EH&S Profession," & Exposition, Las Vegas, Nevada

      Plenary Session Speaker: John Henshaw, former OSHA Assistant Secretary      		 2,000
      June 9, 2004, ASSE PDC, "Safety 2004: Advancing the EH&S Profession," & Exposition, Las Vegas, Nevada
      Conference Workshop, "OSHA Construction Update"

      Speaker: Stewart Burkhammer, P.E., CSP, OHST, Office of Construction Services      		 50
      June 9, 2004, ASSE PDC, "Safety 2004: Advancing the EH&S Profession," & Exposition, Las Vegas, Nevada
      Conference Workshop, "VPP: Leaders in Safety & Health Excellence"

      Speaker: Paula White, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, OSHA      		 50
      June 9, 2004, ASSE PDC, "Safety 2004: Advancing the EH&S Profession," & Exposition, Las Vegas, Nevada
      Safety Certification Mentoring Session

      Participants: Paula White, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, OSHA      		 20
      June 9, 2004, "ASSE: Henshaw Touts the Value of Voluntary Programs"

      www.occupationalhazards.com      		 Data not available
      June 11, 2004, "OSHA, ASSE Extend Alliance"

      www.ishn.com      		 Data not available
      June 14 -18, 2004, 2004 OSHA Compliance Assistance Training Sessions, Falls Church, Virginia

      ASSE exhibited      		 200
      June 15, 2004 - OSHA included information on the signing of the OSHA/ASSE Alliance renewal agreement in its bi-weekly e-newsletter, QuickTakes 60,000
      June 17, 2004, "OSHA, ASSE Renew Alliance"
      BNA Occupational Safety and Health Reporter      		 Data not available
      ASSE Web site, OSHA/ASSE web page Data not available
      OSHA and ASSE Alliance Web page on OSHA's Web site 4,000
      ASSE Government Affairs Update – The association's regular e-newsletter Data not available
      TOTAL 69,120
  4. Upcoming Milestones

    During the upcoming year, OSHA and ASSE will continue to work together through the Alliance to provide employers, employees, OSHA staff and the public with safety and health information. For example, during the ASSE's Professional Development Conference, Safety 2005, June 12-15, 2005 in New Orleans, Louisiana, a number of senior level OSHA staff from OSHA's National and Regional Offices are planning to speak and hold workshop sessions, including:

    • Jonathan L. Snare, Deputy Assistant Secretary, will be presenting during a Plenary Session
    • Joe Reina, and William V. Klingbeil from OSHA's Region VI will be part of the workshop panel "VPP: Leaders in Safety and Health Excellence"
    • Paula White, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, will be presenting "Cooperative Programs and Compliance Assistance: An OSHA Update"
    • Stew Burkhammer, P.E., CSP, OHST, Office of Construction Services, will be presenting "OSHA Regulatory Update (Construction Outreach)"
    In addition, a special session has been planned "Supporting SH&E Careers in Government" that will provide career development information for government employees in the safety, health and environmental fields. The presenters will discuss various paths and milestones that are common to achieving professional level credentials and recognition. The panelists will include representatives from ASSE and OSHA and other Alliance participants, including the BCSP and the Washington Group International.

    The OSHA and ASSE Alliance will also be organizing the 2005 NAOSH Week kick-off event that will be held at the Department of Labor with officials from OSHA, ASSE and Canadian Society of Safety Engineering. The 2005 national kick-off will take place the week of May 2 in Washington, D.C.

    In addition, the Alliance implementation team is planning on using information that has been developed through ASSE's white papers, including “Workplace Violence Survey and White Paper” to develop fact sheets and informational products for employers, employees and the public.

Report prepared by: Lisa Ramber, Alliance Coordinator, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, March 22, 2005