IEC - Alliance Annual Report - August 30, 2008

ALLIANCE ANNUAL REPORT
Occupational Safety and Health Administration and
Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc. (IEC)
August 30, 2008

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed

    August 30, 2002

    Dates Renewed

    April 5, 2004

    October 30, 2006

    Evaluation Period

    August 30, 2007 – August 29, 2008

    Overview

    The OSHA and IEC Alliance addresses reducing and preventing electrical contractors employees' exposure to falls, rear-end auto collisions and material-handling hazards by providing IEC membership and others with information and guidance and increasing their access to training resources.

    Implementation Team Members

    OSHA:

    Michael Buchet
    Directorate of Construction (DOC), Office of Construction Services (OCS)
    Rob Swick
    Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs (DCSP), Office of Outreach services and Alliances (OOSA)
    Joe Hajdusiewicz
    DOC-OCS
    Danezza Quintero
    DOC-OCS

    IEC:

    Tom Alexander
    Safety Committee
    Bruce Bowman
    Safety Committee Chairman
    Kent Davis
    Safety Committee
    Harvey Hammock
    Safety Committee
    Robert Leohart
    Safety Committee
    Rob Heineman
    Safety Committee
    Harry Lieben
    Safety Committee
    John Masarick
    Director, Codes, Standards and Safety
    Marc Ramirez
    Safety Committee
    Brian Roberts
    Safety Committee
    Dennis Thomas
    Safety Committee
  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    November 7, 2007 Implementation Team Meeting
    September 12, 2007 Fall Protection Workgroup
    January 30, 2008 Alliance Program Construction Roundtable Meeting
    April 7, 2008 Resources Development Workgroup Meeting
    April 9, 2008 Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign Planning Meeting
    April 18, 2008 Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign Planning Meeting
    April 22, 2008 Design for Safety and Fall Protection Workgroups Joint Meeting
    July 2, 2008 Implementation Team Meeting

  3. Results
    1. Events and Products

      Outreach and Communication

      • 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 electronic media, electronic assistance tools and OSHA's and IEC's Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry.

      Products

      OSHA and IEC Alliance Web page

      OSHA is continuing to update the OSHA and IEC Alliance Web page that is posted on the OSHA Web site. The page includes the OSHA and IEC Alliance agreement, renewal agreements, annual reports, news releases, information on activities and events, and links to resources developed by IEC through the Alliance Program.

      IEC Safety-related Links Page

      IEC continues to update the Safety-related links page on its Web site. It provides information about the OSHA and IEC Alliance and links to the OSHA Web site, including the Ergonomics eTool: Solutions for Electrical Contractors, Spanish Compliance Assistance Resources Web page, and Compliance Assistance Quick Start: Construction. In addition, the Safety-related links page features links to resources developed by IEC through the Alliance Program and the Fall Protection Safety Tips Sheets for Employers and Employees, which was developed through the OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable's Fall Protection Workgroup on which IEC representatives participate.

      OSHA Electrical Contractors Industry Safety and Health Topics Page

      The following IEC representatives are continuing to participate on the OSHA Electrical Contractors Industry Safety and Health Topics page's editorial board:

      • William Bruce Bowman, PE, Fox Systems, Inc., Calhoun, Georgia
      • John Masarick, Director of Codes, Standards and Safety, IEC, Alexandria, Virginia
       

      OSHA Electrical Safety and Health Topics Page

      The following IEC representatives are continuing to participate on the OSHA Electrical Safety and Health Topics page's editorial board:

      • William Bruce Bowman, PE, Fox Systems, Inc., Calhoun, Georgia
      • John Masarick, Director of Codes, Standards and Safety, IEC, Alexandria, Virginia
       

      OSHA Ergonomics eTool: Solutions for Electrical Contractors

      The following OSHA representatives are continuing to participate on the OSHA Ergonomics eTool: Solutions for Electrical Contractors' editorial board:

      • Dominic Caminiti, Hatfield-Reynolds, Phoenix, AZ
      • Todd Hohn, CNA Insurance, Chicago, IL
      • Bob Leonhart, RISC Incorporated, Dallas, TX
      • Renee McDonough, IEC - Utah Chapter, Sandy, UT
      • Brian Roberts, CNA Insurance, Dallas, TX
      • Brad Stevens, Arco Electric, Sandy, UT
       

      Print and Electronic Media

      Articles on the OSHA and IEC Alliance have appeared in IEC publications such as IEC Connection, IEC Codes and Safety Newsletter, and Insight magazine. For example the last twelve issues of the Codes and Safety Newsletter each included a full page with dedicated news about OSHA. Specific articles included "Free OSHA Publications" and "A 'Challenge' for Construction." (See Appendix A for a list of the many OSHA and safety articles appearing in IEC publications.) In addition, articles about the OSHA and IEC Alliance have appeared in numerous publications including QuickTakes and Occupational Health and Safety Magazine. For more information about these articles, see the "Alliance Program Reach" table.

      • Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA or IEC conferences, local meetings and other events such as IEC's National Convention and Electric Expo.

      IEC 50th National Convention and Electric Expo, October 24-27, 2007, Houston, Texas

      James Shelton, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region VI, Houston North, Texas Area Office, USDOL-OSHA, staffed the IEC Safety Zone Exhibit at the 50th Annual IEC National Convention and Electric Expo, October 25, 2007 in Houston, Texas. In addition, Danezza Quintero, Safety and Occupational Health Specialist, Office of Construction Services, Directorate of Construction (DOC), USDOL-OSHA, presented "OSHA for Construction" to 600 attendees.

      During the Expo, four OSHA Region VI representatives attended the Basic Safety Training Classes on topics such as fall protection and arc flash.

      IEC, Safety Committee Meeting, April 7, 2008, Washington, DC

      Rob Swick, Program Analyst, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, USDOL-OSHA, presented "Alliance Program Update" to electrical industry safety and health professionals at the IEC Safety Committee Meeting in Washington, DC.

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

      Energized Electrical Work Safety Program for Residential Sites

      Through the OSHA and IEC Alliance, IEC developed a draft Energized Electrical Work Safety Program for Residential Sites which addresses issues associated with energized electrical work ("hot work") such as testing, hazard control and engineering controls. IEC shared the draft safety program with OSHA for review and comment. The safety program is expected to be completed in early 2009.

      29 CFR 1910 Subpart S Fact Sheet

      Through the OSHA and IEC Alliance, IEC developed a 29 CFR 1910 Electrical Standard Subpart S Fact Sheet. The fact sheet is designed to provide the electrical industry with information about the updates OSHA made to 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S-Electrical Standard. The Fact Sheet was finalized and posted on IEC's Safety-related links Web page and linked to from the OSHA and IEC Alliance Web page and the Alliance Program Participants Developed Products page on the OSHA Web site in September 2007.

      Arc Flash Safety Presentation

      IEC continued to deliver the Arc Flash Safety presentation that was developed through the OSHA and IEC Alliance regarding the updates made to 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S-Electrical Standard. The presentation focuses on topics such as hot work and arc flash. During the reporting period, the presentation was delivered to more than 3,000 people through a number of training sessions at IEC member and non-member companies. In addition, the presentation is posted on IEC's Safety-related links Web page and linked to from the OSHA and IEC Alliance Web page and the Alliance Program Participants Developed Products page on the OSHA Web site

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

      OSHA Challenge Program Administrator

      John Masarick, IEC, continues to participate as a Challenge Program Administrator. He drafted an article for the Alliance Quarterly Review describing his experiences as a Challenge Program Administrator and highlighting the benefits IEC members reap from participating in OSHA Challenge. Five IEC members continue to participate in the OSHA Challenge Program.

      OSHA Challenge Webinar for Alliance Program Participants, April 10, 2008

      On April 10, 2008, Matthew Buvens, Davis Electrical, Denis Baker, Integrated Electrical Services (IES), and Kent Davis, IEC, joined with other Alliance Program participants and attended the Office of Partnership and Recognition's OSHA Challenge Webinar. The Webinar provided information regarding OSHA Challenge, including an overview the resources available to Challenge Program participants, examples of participant successes, and how to become an OSHA Challenge participant. In addition, Webinar attendees were provided the Webinar's slides and the OSHA Challenge Participant Tracking Status (OCPTS) spreadsheet for General Industry and the OCPTS for the Construction Industry. The OCPTS spreadsheet is a tool that is used by Challenge Administrators to monitor the progress of the Program participants' development of a safety and health management system.

      Informational Packets

      IEC created a packet of information about OSHA cooperative programs and compliance assistance resources, including the OSHA and IEC Alliance Activities Summary and the Small Business Handbook. IEC distributed the packets to both potential and new IEC members.

      • Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects regarding falls, rear-end auto collisions, and material-handling hazards that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.

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

        On January 30, 2008, John Masarick joined representatives from 13 construction-related Alliances and participated in the second Alliance Program Construction Roundtable at Department of Labor in Washington, DC. During the Roundtable, the organizations:

        • Shared information regarding their Alliance-related activities.
        • Received updates on OSHA's construction-related activities.
        • Identified potential Fall Protection and Design for Safety (DFS) and Workgroup projects to help address safety and health in the construction industry.
        • In addition, Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., Assistant Secretary, USDOL-OSHA, thanked the Alliance Program participants for their commitment to develop construction-related safety and health outreach products and provided information on the Agency's 2008 Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign. Steven F. Witt, then-Director, Directorate of Construction, USDOL-OSHA, provided an update on the issues that the Directorate is addressing, including proposed rules focusing on cranes and derricks and confined spaces.
         

        As an outcome of the Construction Roundtable, the DFS and Fall Protection Workgroups met on April 22, 2008 to discuss common construction-related interests and project ideas developed during the Roundtable meeting, such as conducting a national public awareness campaign focusing on construction safety. In addition, Workgroup members formed the Fall Fatalities and Injuries Presentation Subgroup to develop a presentation entitled "Prevention of Fall Fatalities and Injuries in Construction." The presentation, due to be completed by October 1, 2008, focuses on the top causes of falls in the construction industry and provides fall prevention guidance for design engineers, contractors, and workers.

        Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign: Build a Safe Work Foundation

        IEC, along with Alliance Program participants SkillsUSA and the National Association of Homebuilders, joined the United States Secretary of Labor, Elaine L. Chao, and Assistant Secretary Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. at the Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign national kick-off event for the OSHA 2008 Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign on April 21, 2008 at the Rockefeller Plaza, Manhattan, New York. Sponsored by OSHA, the Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign is a multi-year project to increase awareness about workplace hazards and provide information about the hazards to young workers and their parents. The focus of the 2008 Campaign was residential building construction.

        2008 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week, May 4-10, 2008, Washington, DC.

        IEC joined with more than 50 other Alliance Program participants to support 2008 NAOSH Week. NAOSH Week, sponsored by ASSE, an Alliance Program participant, focuses on increasing the understanding of the positive benefits of investing in occupational safety, health and environmental programs among employers, employees and the public; raising awareness of the role and contribution of safety, health and environmental professionals; and reducing workplace injuries and illness by encouraging new safety and health activities at all companies and organizations. The theme for the 2008 NAOSH Week was "Safety is Good Business." In support of NAOSH Week, IEC printed articles about NIOSH Week in IEC Connection, IEC Insights, IEC Codes and Safety Newsletter. In addition, IEC sent e-mail messages to its chapter executives and distributed NAOSH Week posters to the chapters.


      • Encourage IEC's chapters to build relationships with OSHA's Regional and Area Offices to address health and safety issues, including, falls, rear-end auto collisions, and material-handling hazards.

        Regional Alliances

        The following OSHA Regional and Area Offices and IEC Chapter Alliances were signed before the current reporting period and were in effect during the reporting period:

        • OSHA Region V Cincinnati, Ohio Area Office and the IEC of Greater Cincinnati Alliance, signed May 18, 2006, concluded May 1, 2008

          OSHA and IEC of Greater Cincinnati used their collective expertise to help protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to electrical hazards.

          OSHA Region VI Dallas, Texas Area Office and the IEC Dallas Chapter Alliance, signed July 19, 2005

          OSHA and IEC Dallas Chapter are providing IEC 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 exposure to electrical, fall, confined space entry, toxic substance(s), and struck-by hazards.

          State of Maryland, Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Maryland Occupational Safety and Health and the IEC Chesapeake Chapter Alliance, signed July 8, 2004.

          Maryland OSHA and IEC Chesapeake Chapter are using their collective expertise to help protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to electrical hazards.

    2. Executive Summary

      Through the Alliance Program, OSHA and IEC are continuing to work together to develop products and resources to protect electrical contractors employees from exposure to falls, rear-end auto collisions and material-handling hazards. This positive relationship has led to the development of the many programs and projects that the team is currently working on or has produced. For example:

      • IEC developed a 29 CFR 1910 Electrical Standard Subpart S Fact Sheet. The fact sheet is designed to provide the electrical industry with information about the updates OSHA made to 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S-Electrical Standard.
      • IEC delivered the Arc Flash Safety Presentation regarding the updates made to 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S-Electrical Standard that was developed through the OSHA and IEC Alliance to more than 3,000 people during a number of training sessions.
      • IEC representatives continue to serve on the Design for Safety and Fall Protection Workgroups of the OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable.
      • IEC joined with other Alliance Program participants and OSHA to support 2008 NAOSH Week.
      • IEC promoted the activities of the OSHA and IEC Alliance and OSHA's compliance assistance resources and cooperative programs through articles in its publications Insights magazine, Connection and Codes & Safety. The articles focused on a number of topics such as fleet safety.
      • The association's chapters are continuing to recognize the value of working together with OSHA through the Alliance Program and are implementing agreements with OSHA's Regions and Area Offices and State Plan States addressing a number of safety and health issues and hazards, including electrical, fall, confined space entry, toxic substance(s), and struck-by hazards.
    3. Alliance Program Reach
      Type of Activity (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.) Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
      OSHA and IEC Alliance Web page on the OSHA Web site 22,653
      OSHA Ergonomics eTool: Solutions for Electrical Contractors 14,884
      OSHA Electrical Safety and Health Topics page 19,020
      OSHA Assistance for the Electrical Contractors Industry Safety and Health Topics page 14,323
      IEC Safety-Related Links page on the IEC Web site Data not Available
      Arc Flash Safety Presentation downloads from the IEC Safety-Related Links page 5,000
      August 2007: "Mastering the Safety Message," Colorado Construction Data Not Available
      September 2007: "Mastering the Safety Message," Midwest Construction Data Not Available
      October 26, 2007: 50th Annual IEC National Convention and Electric Expo 2007, Hilton Americas Houston & George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, Texas.

      Speaker: Danezza Quintero, Safety and Occupational Health Specialist, Office of Construction Services, Directorate of Construction (DOC), USDOL-OSHA, presented "OSHA for Construction."      		 600
      November 1, 2007: "Two New Modules Added to Ergonomics Solutions for Electrical Contractors eTool," QuickTakes 55,226
      November 12, 2007: "Our Safety Tip of the Week is from OSHA," Occupational Health & Safety E-News Data Not Available
      November 20, 2007: "OSHA Adds Two Modules to Ergonomics E-Tool for Electrical Contractors," Occupational Hazards Magazine Data Not Available
      November 23, 2007: "OSHA Issues Two Modules for 'Ergonomic Solutions for Electrical Contractors' e-Tool," IHS News Data Not Available
      December 2007: "Construction Roundtable Reaches Fourth Anniversary," Alliance Quarterly Review 300
      January 2008: "OSHA Add Modules to Ergonomics e-Tool," Professional Safety Data Not Available
      March 2008: "Second Alliance Program Construction Roundtable Highlights Construction-related Products," Alliance Quarterly Review 300
      April 7, 2008: IEC Safety Committee Meeting, Holiday Inn Capitol, Washington, DC.
      Speaker: Rob Swick, Program Analyst, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, USDOL-OSHA, presented "Alliance Program Update."      		 8
      June 2008: "Partnerships with OSHA," BNA Occupational Safety and Health Reporter Data not Available
      June 2008: "Administrators Assist OSHA's Challenge Pilot Program Participants," Alliance Quarterly Review 300
      TOTAL 132,614
  4. Upcoming Milestones

    Based upon the ongoing successes realized through their Alliance, OSHA and IEC agreed to continue the Alliance and are working to develop a draft renewal Alliance agreement. The draft renewal Alliance agreement expands the scope of the Alliance to include reducing and preventing exposure to arc flash hazards and addressing electrical and motor vehicle safety issues.

    Through the OSHA and IEC Alliance, IEC plans to develop the following compliance assistance resources with input and participation from industry and OSHA representatives:

    • Fleet Safety Written Program
    • Fleet Safety Checklist Pocket Card
    • Resources that Address Temporary Lighting
    • NFPA 70E 2008 Revision Fact Sheet
    • Energized Electrical Work Safety Program for Industrial and Commercial sites
     

    In addition, IEC will continue participate on the Alliance Program Construction Roundtable's Design for Safety and Fall Protection Workgroups. IEC representatives will also continue to serve on the editorial boards for OSHA's Electrical and Electrical Contractors Safety and Health Topics pages' and Ergonomics eTool: Solutions for Electrical Contractors and will review and provide comments on the resources.

    IEC will continue to promote OSHA compliance assistance materials and cooperative programs and the OSHA and IEC Alliance through the IEC Web site and articles in its monthly publication Insights and its eNewsletters, Connection and Safety and Codes. Further, IEC will include OSHA publications and the OSHA and IEC Alliance Activities Summary in membership packets for new members. OSHA will promote in the Alliance Quarterly Review the products IEC promotes through the Alliance.

    IEC will support the 2008 Drug-Free Work Week, October 20-26, 2008. Also, IEC will support and promote the 2009 NAOSH Week, "Safety Means Always Coming Home." IEC representatives will also attend the 2009 NAOSH Week Kick-off event May 4, 2009, at the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, DC.

     

    Report prepared by: Rob Swick, Program Analyst, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, December 3, 2008.

    Alliance Annual Report
    Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc. (IEC)

    August 30, 2008

    Appendix A

    Articles Featured in IEC Publications

    $116,000 Proposed Fine for Unprotected Trenches
    2009 will be a Year for New Changes to NFPA 70E
    A "Challenge" for Construction
    A Challenge to Excellence
    A look at some innovative products recently generated by NIOSH-supported construction research. A10.40 Standard Available
    Administrators assist OSHA's Challenge Pilot program participants
    ANSI Dismisses Latest Appeal to Withdraw Consensus Standard Aimed at Reducing Musculoskeletal Problems in Construction Workers
    Bureau of Labor Statistics Releases 2007 Workplace Fatality Data
    Case Studies and Success Stories
    Clark Construction Signs OSHA Strategic Partnership Agreement
    Contractor Faces Nearly $75,000 in Fines from OSHA for Cave-In and Other Hazards
    Contractor Fined $50,000 for Electrical Accident
    Did You Know States Must Meet Minimum Federal OSHA Standards
    Draft Proposed Rule for Cranes and Derricks in Construction
    Drug Free Work Week
    Drug-Free Work Week Observance Slated for October
    Employee Safety Training
    Free Maryland Occupational Safety & Health Training Seminar
    Free OSHA Publications
    'Free' OSHA Publications and Posters Posting Injury/Illness Summaries Began Feb 1
    Free Safety and Health Evaluations for Your Small Business
    Frequently Cited OSHA Standards
    Helpful DOL Resources for Faith-Based or Community Organizations in Reentry
    IEC Joins Broad Coalition to Observe Drug-Free Work Week 2008
    Injuries and Illnesses Decline
    New DOL On-Line Resources for Training, Mentoring, and Child Support Grants
    New Jobsite Safety Handbooks Have Arrived
    New OSHA Regulation Soon to Become Effective
    New OSHA Web Page on Flood, Tornado Cleanup and Recovery Operations
    New Safety Management resource from OSHA
    New Spanish Teaching Materials
    NFPA 70E® Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace 2009 Edition
    OSHA and SkillsUSA Renew Alliance
    OSHA announces informal public hearing on proposed rule on Confined Spaces in Construction
    OSHA Announces New Education Centers
    OSHA announces new key personnel
    OSHA Answered Question from the Public
    OSHA appoints new regional administrator for Region II
    OSHA Citations
    OSHA citations issued in connection with fatal NYC crane collapse
    OSHA e-Tools
    OSHA Extends Comment Period on the Confined Spaces in Construction NPRM
    OSHA Fines 11 Contractors More than $135,000 for Fall Hazards in Cheektowaga, N.Y.
    OSHA Fines Contractors More than $135,000 for Fall Hazards
    OSHA Interpretation
    OSHA Introduces New Publications Web Page
    OSHA invites public comment on personal protective equipment and employee training requirements
    OSHA Issues Direct Final Rule to Update its Standards Based on National Consensus Standards
    OSHA Issues Draft Ergonomics Guidelines on Preventing Musculoskeletal Injuries in Shipyards
    OSHA issues Final Rule on Payment for Personal Protective Equipment
    OSHA issues National Emphasis Program dealing with Lead
    OSHA Issues Proposed Rule on Confined Spaces in Construction
    OSHA Offers Advice on Working in Summer Heat
    OSHA Outreach Training Program Sets Record
    OSHA proposes $63,000 in penalties against Pike Electric for safety violations, electrical contractor fined after trench collapse
    OSHA Records another Successful Enforcement Year in FY 2007
    OSHA Solicit Public Comment
    OSHA Staff and Resources Aid in Hurricane Ike Cleanup and Recovery Efforts
    OSHA Takes Steps to Combat New York City Construction Hazards
    OSHA to Host Forum to Assist Small Businesses in Complying with Regulations
    OSHA VPP begins with "Challenge"
    OSHA's Public Service Announcements
    OSHA's Small Business Assistance Web Page Receives a New Look
    OSHA's National Exhibit Travels to Kansas City, Mo.
    OSHA's Targeted Inspection Plan for 2008
    President's 2009 Budget for OSHA Increases Federal Enforcement and Compliance Assistance Efforts
    Products Developed by Alliance Program Participants
    QuickTips
    Recent Improvements to OSHA Web Site
    Safety and Health Events, Activities Planned Nationwide
    Solution for Flooded Equipment
    Teen Summer Job Safety

     

    There were Many Comments on the New OSHA Proposed Rule on the Confined Space Standard
    U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA fines contractor more than $157,000
    U.S. Labor Department Kicks off Youth Job Safety Campaign on TODAY Show
    Want to Keep Up to Date on Federal Employment, Laws?
    Workplaces with High Injury and Illness Rates Notified by OSHA