NAHB - Alliance Annual Report - May 31, 2006

ALLIANCE ANNUAL REPORT
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
and the
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
May 31, 2006

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed

    May 8, 2003

    Alliance Renewed

    October 18, 2005

    Evaluation Period

    May 9, 2005 - May 8, 2006

    Overview

    Through the Alliance, OSHA and NAHB are providing members and others in the residential construction industry including non-English and limited English speaking employees and trade contractors, with information, guidance, and access to training resources to help them protect employees' health and safety. In addition, the agreement addresses fall, electrical, struck-by, and caught in/between safety hazards.

    Implementation Team Members

    OSHA:

    Todd Briggs
    Office of Outreach Services and Alliances (OOSA)
    Michael Buchet
    Office of Construction Services (OCS)1
    Steve Cloutier
    OCS2
    Jess McCluer
    OOSA
    Danezza Quinterro
    OCS3
    Chris Serenari
    Office of Physical Hazards & Others4

    NAHB:

    Rob Matuga
    Director, Labor, Safety & Health Regulatory Affairs
    George Middleton
    Program Manager, Labor, Safety & Health Regulatory Affairs5

    1Member of the Implementation Team beginning in January 2006.
    2Member of the Implementation Team until December 2005.
    3Member of the Implementation Team beginning in January 2006.
    4Member of the Implementation Team beginning in January 2006.
    5Member of the Implementation Team until January 2006.

  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    June 6, 2005
    Teleconference, "Building a House" Seminar
    June 29, 2005
    Teleconference, "Building a House" Seminar
    August 1, 2005
    Fall Protection Workgroup, Washington, DC
    August 18, 2005
    Teleconference, "Building a House" Seminar
    September 9, 2005
    Teleconference, "Building a House" Seminar
    October 11, 2005
    Fall Protection Workgroup, Washington, DC
    January 23, 2006
    Meeting, Washington, DC
    April10, 2006
    Meeting, Washington, DC

  3. Results

    1. Events and Products

      Training and Education

      • Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop training and education programs for the residential construction industry, including non-English and limited English speaking employees and trade contractors, regarding fall, electrical, struck-by and caught in/between safety hazards and to provide expertise in communicating such information, in English, Spanish and/or other languages, to employers and employees in the industry.

        The OSHA and NAHB Alliance Implementation Team has not started work on programs or projects to address this goal.

      • Deliver or arrange for the delivery of safety training courses addressing fall, electrical, struck-by and caught in/between safety hazards in the residential construction industry in English, Spanish and/or other languages.

        The OSHA and NAHB Alliance Implementation Team has not started work on programs or projects to address this goal.

      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 in English, Spanish and/or other languages (e.g., print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools, and OSHA's and NAHB's Web sites) to employers and employees in the residential construction industry.

      Products

      OSHA and NAHB Alliance Web page

      OSHA is continuing to update the OSHA and NAHB Web page that is posted on the Agency's Web site. It includes the OSHA and NAHB Alliance agreement, renewal agreement, news releases, events and milestones and successes.

      OSHA's Residential Construction Industry Safety and Health Topics Page

      The following NAHB staff and members are continuing to participate on the OSHA Residential Construction Industry Safety and Health Topics page's editorial board:

      • Rob Matuga, NAHB; Washington, DC

      • Vern Pottenger, Pottenger Builders; Beaufort, SC

      • Connie Wilhelm, Home Builders Association of Central Arizona; Phoenix, AZ

      Publications and Newsletters

      Information and news releases on the OSHA and NAHB Alliance activities appeared in NAHB's Nation's Building News Online, BNA Safety and Occupational Health Reporter, BNA Daily Labor Report, and Alliance Quarterly Review. For more information on the articles, see "Alliance Program Reach."

      NAHB Safety Handbooks

      OSHA distributed 300 copies of NAHB's Scaffolding, Job Site Safety and Tool Kit Safety Handbooks to OSHA representatives in the Regional offices. OSHA's Regional staff forwarded some of the publications to construction specialists in their Area Offices.

      • Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or NAHB's conferences, local meetings, or other events such as the NAHB International Builders Show.

      2006 International Builders Show, January 11-14, 2006, Orlando, Florida

      On January 9, 2006, Bruce Swanson, then Director, Directorate of Construction, USDOL-OSHA updated 40 attendees about OSHA's cooperative programs and compliance assistance resources during the NAHB's Construction Safety & Health Committee meeting at the 2006 International Builders Show, January 11-14 in Orlando, Florida.

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

      Products

      "Building a House" Seminar

      OSHA and the NAHB Alliance developed and held a one day "Building a House" Seminar on November 15, 2005 in Red Bank, New Jersey. NAHB members and staff instructed more than 30 OSHA Region II representatives on the makeup, structure and components of the home building industry. Following the classroom instruction, residential construction building techniques were highlighted for the seminar participants during a worksite tour of NAHB member K. Hovnanian Homes. In addition, NAHB's December 12, 2005 edition of its weekly e-newsletter, Nation's Building News included an article, "NAHB Gives OSHA Staff Insights on Home Building" that described the November 15, 2005 "Building a House" seminar.

      NAHB's Indiana chapter is working with OSHA Region V and Indiana OSHA to hold a "Building a House" seminar May 25, 2006 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

      Tour of Residential Construction Worksite

      On October 18, 2005, following the signing of the OSHA and NAHB Alliance renewal agreement, then Acting Assistant Secretary Jonathan L. Snare was provided a worksite tour of NAHB member Lennar Homes in Gainesville, Virginia. Some of the participants on the tour included: Rob Matuga, Director, Labor, Safety & Health Regulatory Affairs, NAHB; Andy Anderson, Chairman, NAHB Construction Safety and Health Committee; Bruce Swanson, then Director, Directorate of Construction, USDOL-OSHA, Paul Schilinski, Regional Director - Virginia Department of Labor and Industry; Lisa Ramber, Alliance Team Leader, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances (OOSA), USDOL-OSHA and Jess McCluer, Program Analyst, OOSA, USDOL-OSHA.

      NAHB's October 24, 2005 edition of Nation's Building News included an article, "Builders Cement Working Alliance With OSHA" that described the renewal signing ceremony, worksite tour and the goals of the renewal agreement.

      • Promote and encourage NAHB's members' 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.

      Products

      Nation's Building News

      Nation's Building News included two articles focusing on OSHA's cooperative programs and compliance assistance resources. The article, "OSHA Resources Helping Katrina Recovery Workers" describes the OSHA Quick Cards and fact sheets available on the OSHA Hurricane Recovery Web page and the "Web Tool Provides Quick Start on OSHA Compliance" article describes the Construction module of the Compliance Assistance Quick Start.

      • Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects such as fall, electrical, struck-by and caught in/between safety hazards that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.

        The OSHA and NAHB Alliance Implementation Team has not started work on programs or projects to address this goal.

      • Encourage NAHB's state and local associations and members to build relationships with OSHA's Regional and Area Offices to address health and safety issues, including fall, electrical, struck-by and caught in/between safety hazards.

      OSHA and NAHB Regional, Area Office and State Plan State Alliances

      The following NAHB chapters signed Alliances:

      NAHB's Maryland-National Capital Building Industry Association, the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation and the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health signed March 10, 2006.

      NAHB's Michigan Association of Home Builders and Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration signed April 17, 2006.

      Promoting the National Dialogue on Workplace Safety and Health

      • Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on issues including: fall, electrical, struck-by and caught in/between safety hazards in the residential construction industry, to help forge innovative solutions and provide input on safety and health issues.

      OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable, Fall Protection Workgroup

      On July 8, 2004, representatives from NAHB participated in the Alliance Program's Construction Roundtable for construction-related national Alliances. The Fall Protection Workgroup was developed at the Roundtable meeting.

      • Fall Protection Workgroup - NAHB is participating on the Fall Protection Workgroup and helped develop Fall Protection Safety Tips Sheets for Employers and Employees. The Workgroup is also providing comments on the "Fall Hazard Awareness for the Construction Industry" training course, developed by OSHA's Office of Training and Education. The training program is designed for construction industry audiences including small business owners, trainers, foreman and workers.

      2005 National Safety Congress & Expo - "Construction Related Safety and Health Training" Workshop, September 22, 2005, Orlando, FL

      On September 22, 2005, Lee Anne Jillings, Director, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, USDOL-OSHA; Rob Matuga, Director, Labor, Safety & Health Regulatory Affairs, NAHB and representatives from both the OSHA and Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) and Modular Building Industry (MBI) Alliances spoke to 20 attendees about training products developed through the Alliance Program in a workshop, "Construction Related Safety and Health Training," during the 2005 National Safety Congress & Expo September 17-23, 2005 in Orlando, Florida.

    2. Executive Summary

      Through the Alliance Program, OSHA and NAHB are continuing to work together to develop products in order to protect residential construction industry workers from safety hazards such as falls, electrical, struck-by, and caught in/between. This positive relationship has led to the development a one day "Building a House" Seminar. The OSHA and NAHB Alliance held the seminar for OSHA Region II staff on November 15, 2005 in Red Bank, New Jersey. During the seminar, NAHB members and staff instructed the OSHA representatives on the makeup, structure and components of the home building industry. Following the classroom instruction, residential construction building techniques were highlighted during a worksite tour. The organizations are working together to conduct a second seminar in Indianapolis, Indiana in late May 2006.

      In addition, OSHA and NAHB representatives are sharing their expertise and information through a number of different avenues. For example:

      • NAHB members are continuing to serve on the editorial board for the OSHA Residential Construction Industry Safety and Health Topics page's editorial board.

      • OSHA distributed copies of NAHB's Scaffolding, Job Site Safety and Tool Kit Safety Handbooks to OSHA representatives including Regional staff.

      • Following the signing of the Alliance renewal agreement, NAHB provided former Acting Assistant Secretary Jonathan L. Snare; Bruce Swanson, then Director, Directorate of Construction, USDOL-OSHA; Paul Schilinski, Regional Director - Virginia Department of Labor, and other OSHA and Virginia OSHA representatives with a worksite tour of its member, Lennar Homes, in Gainesville, Virginia.

      • Bruce Swanson, then Director, Directorate of Construction, USDOL-OSHA updated 40 attendees about OSHA's cooperative programs and compliance assistance resources at the 2006 International Builders Show.

      • Lee Anne Jillings, Director, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, USDOL-OSHA; Rob Matuga, Director, Labor, Safety & Health Regulatory Affairs, NAHB and representatives from both the OSHA and IEC and MBI Alliances spoke to 20 attendees about training products developed through the Alliance Program with other Construction-related Alliances during the 2005 National Safety Congress & Expo.

      • NAHB has a representative on the Fall Protection Workgroup that was created at the July 8, 2004 OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable meeting.

      NAHB's chapters have also recognized the value of signing Alliances with OSHA's Regional and Area Offices and State Plan States. For example, during the reporting period, NAHB's Maryland-National Capital Building Industry Association, the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation and the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health signed an Alliance on March 10, 2006. NAHB's Michigan Association of Home Builders and Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration signed an Alliance on April 17, 2006.

      NAHB is also promoting the activities of the OSHA and NAHB Alliance and providing information on OSHA's compliance assistance resources and cooperative programs through articles in its weekly e-newsletter, Nation's Building News.

    3. Alliance Program Reach

       

      Type of Activity (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.) Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
      OSHA and NAHB Alliance Web site on OSHA's Web page 5,933
      NAHB Web site - Link to Alliance Agreement Data Not Available
      OSHA Residential Construction Safety and Health Topics page 21,886
      May 13, 2005 - "Norwood Says Voluntary Means Can Improve Workplace Safety," BNA Daily Labor Report Data Not Available
      May 16, 2005 - "Builders Seek Timely OSHA Citations and Other Reforms," Nation's Building News 150,000
      May 19, 2005 - "Voluntary Means, Not More Manpower, Will Improve Workplace Safety, Norwood Says," BNA Occupational Safety and Health Reporter Data Not Available
      September 22, 2005 - 2005 National Safety Congress & Expo, Orlando, Florida

      Speakers: Lee Anne Jillings, Director, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, USDOL-OSHA and Rob Matuga, Director, Labor, Safety & Health Regulatory Affairs, NAHB      		 20
      October 19, 2005 - "OSHA Renews Alliance with National Association of Home Builders," Topix.Net News Alerts Data Not Available
      October 19, 2005 - "OSHA Renews Alliance with National Association of Home Builders," OSHA news release announcing Alliance renewal signing 69 News Services
      October 19, 2005 - "Home Builders Continue Historic OSHA Alliance To Improve Worksite Safety," NAHB news release announcing Alliance renewal signing 3,000
      October 20, 2005 - "Home Builders Continue Historic OSHA Alliance to Improve Worksite Safety," Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders - News Data Not Available
      October 24, 2005 - "Builders Cement Working Alliance With OSHA," Nation's Building News 150,000
      October 27, 2005 - "OSHA, Home Builders Renew Alliance," BNA Daily Labor Report Data Not Available
      November 1, 2005 - "OSHA Welcomes New National Alliance Participant, Renews Others," QuickTakes 54,000
      November 15, 2005 "Building a House" Seminar, Red Bank, NJ 30
      December 2005 - "Home Builders Association Renews Support for Workplace Safety" and "NSC Congresses Expo, Provide Safety Showcase," Alliance Quarterly Review 300
      December 5, 2005 - "Manually Lifted Balloon Framed Walls Present Hazards," Nation's Building News 150,000
      December 12, 2005 - "NAHB Gives OSHA Staff Insights on Home Building," Nation's Building News 150,000
      February 6, 2006 - "OSHA Resources Helping Katrina Recovery Workers," Nation's Building News 150,000
      February 6, 2006 - "Web Tool Provides Quick Start on OSHA Compliance," Nation's Building News 150,000
      March 2006 - "Workgroups Develop Design for Safety and Fall Protection Information Products," Alliance Quarterly Review 300
      April 3, 2006 - "Maryland Alliance Committed to Work Site Safety," Nation's Building News 150,000
      TOTAL 1,135,469

       

  4. Upcoming Milestones

    The OSHA and NAHB Alliance Implementation Team has discussed a number of activities that will be undertaken in the upcoming year. For example, the organizations are developing additional "Building a House" seminars. NAHB's Indiana chapter is working with OSHA Region V and Indiana OSHA to hold a seminar May 25, 2006 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The NAHB Cleveland chapter would also like to schedule a seminar for the OSHA Region V Cleveland, Ohio Area Office in October 2006. Based on the input from OSHA Region II representatives that attended the November 15, 2005 seminar, NAHB is revising the course and shortening some of the PowerPoint® presentations.

    NAHB remains committed to working with OSHA and other Alliance Program participants to develop compliance assistance information and products for Agency staff and employers and employees in the construction industry. The organization will continue to attend meetings of the Fall Protection Workgroup that was established at the OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable. In addition, NAHB staff and members will continue to serve on OSHA's Residential Construction Industry Safety and Health Topics page's editorial board and will review and provide comments on the resource.

    The association is also developing a draft version of the OSHA 10 Hour Construction Outreach Training Program for residential construction and a fall protection video and handbook. Through the Alliance, OSHA will review NAHB's tools when the drafts are finalized.

    The OSHA and NAHB Alliance is participating in a number of events to promote the activities of the Alliance and provide information on OSHA's cooperative programs through presentations and exhibits, including:

    2006 National Safety Conference & Expo. On November 8, 2006, Stew Burkhammer, Director, Office of Construction Services, USDOL-OSHA and Rob Matuga, Director, Labor, Safety & Health Regulatory Affairs, NAHB will make a workshop presentation on training programs in the residential construction industry, focusing on the "Building a House" seminars developed through the OSHA and NAHB Alliance at the 2006 National Safety Conference & Expo November 3-10, 2006 in San Diego, California.

    2007 International Builders Show. NAHB is providing a booth space, free of charge, for the Alliance Program during the 2007 International Builders Show February 7-10, 2007 in Orlando, Florida.

    NAHB is also updating their Web site to include a specific section to promote the OSHA and NAHB Alliance. Finally, NAHB will promote OSHA compliance assistance materials and outreach resources and the OSHA and NAHB Alliance through its weekly e-newsletter, Nation's Building News. OSHA will also promote the products the Alliance produces in the Alliance Quarterly Review and by sending the information to OSHA's Regional, Area Office, Onsite Consultation Program and State Plan State representatives.

Report prepared by: Jess McCluer, Alliance Coordinator, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, May 31, 2005