ILMA - Alliance Close-Out Report - January 14, 2011

OSHA and the Independent Lubricant
Manufacturers Association (ILMA) Alliance

On February 9, 2004, OSHA and the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA) formed an Alliance to provide employers, including small businesses, with access to safety and health information and training resources to reduce or prevent exposure to industrial hazards in the chemical manufacturing environment. In addition, the OSHA and ILMA Alliance worked to address hazard communication and safety and health issues related to above ground storage tanks. The Alliance was renewed on May 23, 2006, and May 13, 2008.

Based on discussions regarding the future of the Alliance, OSHA and ILMA agreed to conclude the agreement as of January 14, 2011. A number of successes resulted from OSHA and ILMA working together to meet the Alliance's goals. For example:

  • Through the Alliance, ILMA developed a "Lubricant Fact Sheet" that provides small businesses with the definition of a lubricant, addresses classification of materials based on type and use, as well as provides the associated hazards and best practices of handling these substances in order to reduce associated hazards.

  • Through the OSHA and Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA) and Safe Tank Alliances, the participants developed "Safe Tank Entry: When Entering Aboveground Storage Tanks". The brochure provides information on how to prevent confined space entry-related injuries when working in aboveground storage tanks.

  • Through the Alliance, ILMA produced the "Dermal Assessment Guide" that provides small businesses with information in order to understand the possible connection between instances of employee dermatitis and facility operations using the metal removal fluids.

  • Through the Alliance, ILMA created the "Metalworking Fluids in Small Business: A Health and Safety 'QUICKSTART' Guide" that provides a step-by-step outline on how to work safely with metalworking fluids (MWFs) and to help small business workers effectively manage the health, safety and environmental impacts of MWFs.

Report Prepared by: Morgan Seuberling, Safety and Occupational Health Specialist, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, January 18, 2011.