ALLIANCE ANNUAL REPORT
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Alliance
June 12, 2006

I. Alliance Background

Date Signed

June 14, 2004

Evaluation Period

June 14, 2005 – June 13, 2006

Overview

The OSHA and NFIB Alliance recognizes the value of the establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer, drug-free and more healthful American workplaces and protecting employees' health and safety. The Alliance is working to make health and safety information and compliance assistance resources available to all employers, especially small and independent businesses, and communicating the need for the implementation of safety and health management system programs in the workplace.

Implementation Team Members
 

* Shawn Combs was an implementation team member from June 2004 to December 2005

II. Implementation Team Meetings
 

III. Results

1. Events and Products
   
   Outreach and Communication Goals
    
   • Develop and disseminate information through print and electronic media, including electronic assistance tools, publications, safety newsletters and links from OSHA's and NFIB's Web sites.
   Products
   
   OSHA and NFIB Alliance Web Page
   
   OSHA continues to update the OSHA and NFIB Alliance Web page on the Agency's Web site. The page includes links to the Alliance agreement and related documents, activities and events, OSHA's Consultation Program and small business resources. In addition, there are links to stories developed by OSHA and posted on NFIB's Tools and Tips Web page and on NFIB's Member Benefits S.A.V.I. Web page. For more information on the number of visits to the OSHA and NFIB Alliance Web page, please see the Alliance Program Reach table.
   
   NFIB and OSHA Alliance Web Page on the NFIB Web Site
   
   NFIB continues to update the NFIB and OSHA Alliance Web page on the NFIB's Web site. For example, in the fall of 2005, the NFIB added a link to OSHA's hurricane recovery information on the agency's website. In addition, the NFIB/OSHA Alliance Web page on NFIB's Web site includes information on the goals and objectives of the Alliance. The Web page includes links to additional safety and health resources such as:
    
   • OSHA Small-Business Success Stories
   • OSHA's Compliance Assistance Quick Start Web Page
   • OSHA's On Site Consultation Web page
   • OSHA's Compliance Assistance: Hispanic Employers and Workers Web page
   • NFIB/Ohio Safety Seminars
   NFIB's Tools and Tips Web Site
   
   The NFIB has developed an extensive resource library for the small businesses on their Tools and Tips Web site. Posted on NFIB's Tools and Tips Web site are a number of OSHA developed-articles including:
    
   • "Consultation Helps Small Businesses Establish Safety and Health Programs" by Earl Hicks, OOSA
   • "Youth Employment: Expanded Protections for Youth Working in Cooking, Roofing and Driving" by Ernest J. Weiss, III, ESA
   • "Helping Small Business Benefit from Being Drug-Free" by Elena Carr, ASP
   • "OSHA's Standard Interpretation Letters", by Barney Lawrence, OOSA
   The articles developed by OSHA and posted on NFIB's Tools and Tips Web site contains additional links to other OSHA safety and health resources. Such as:
    
   • • Finding Help for Small Business Owners on the Department of Labor's Web Site, Part II
     • Drug-Free Workplace Program Builder
     • OSHA Programs Can Aid Small Business Workplace Safety
     • OSHA's Workplace Substance Abuse Topic Page
     • Working Partners for an Alcoholic- and Drug-Free Workplace
   • Speak exhibit, or appear at OSHA and NFIB conferences, seminars or other events that address small business issues such as the NFIB Congressional Small Business Summit.
   Print and Electronic Media
   
   Articles on the OSHA and NFIB Alliance have appeared in a number of print and online publications, including: the Alliance Quarterly Review and in Huggins & Associates, Inc. – News. For a complete listing of media coverage, see the Alliance Program Reach section of this report.
   
   Events
   
   NFIB/Ohio Safety Seminars
   
   Shawn Combs, then Assistant State Director, NFIB, and OSHA staff from Region V including Compliance Assistance Specialists (CASs), Chris Matthewson, Laura Ulczyinski, and Julie Weis, and Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs) Scott Feil, Dale Henderson, Jorge Munoz, Aaron Priddy, Kip Reiher, and Matt Taylor made presentations during the NFIB/Ohio Safety Seminars. The presentations included information on machine guarding, electrical safety, hazards communication, fall protection, and trenching and excavation. The seminars were held:
    
   • October 25, 2005, Cincinnati
   • October 26, 2005, Columbus
   • October 27, 2005, Toledo
   • October 28, 2005, Cleveland
   NFIB Area Action Council (AAC) Workers' Compensation Meetings
   
   Through the Alliance, a number of OSHA's Regional Area Office and Onsite Consultation Program staff participated in the NFIB's AAC Workers' Compensation meetings in Texas and Montana. OSHA staff participated in twenty-one meetings that that reached over 750 small business owners. During the meetings, OSHA staff provided information on OSHA's compliance assistance and Hispanic outreach activities and the Onsite Consultation Program. The meetings were held:
   
   Texas
    
   • • July 19, 2005, Amarillo
     • July 20, 2005, Lubbock
     • July 21, 2005, Midland
     • July 22, 2005, El Paso
     • October 18, 2005, Ft. Worth
     • October 19, 2005, Dallas
     • October 20, 2005, Houston
     • February 28, 2006, Corpus Christi
     • March 1, 2006, McAllen
     • March 2, 2006, Harlingen
     • March 7, 2006, Waco
     • March 8, 2006, Austin
     • March 9, 2006, San Antonio
     • April 5, 2006, Bryan College Station
   Montana
    
   • • November 7, 2005, Helena
     • November 8, 2005, Billings
     • November 9, 2005, Bozeman
     • November 10, 2005, Missoula
     • November 11, 2005, Kalispell
     • April 25, 2006, Great Falls
     • April 26, 2006, Havre
     • April 27, 2006, Glasgow
     • April 28, 2006, Miles City
   • Develop and promote accessible and easy-to-use tools to encourage and help small business owners create and implement effective safety and health management programs in the workplace.
     
     The OSHA and NFIB Alliance Implementation Team has not started work on programs or projects to address this goal.
      
   • Promote and encourage NFIB members' use of and participation in OSHA's outreach services and cooperative programs, including compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Programs, Consultation and its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.
   Events
   
   OSHA Region IV Hispanic Family Safety and Health Fairs
   
   Through the Alliance, the NFIB agreed to promote OSHA's Region IV Hispanic Family Safety and Health Fairs sponsored by its Consultation Programs in Alabama and Florida. The Fairs addressed the safety and health training needs of Spanish speaking employees particularly in the areas of construction and landscaping. The NFIB identified its members near in the Fairs' locations and sent letters and informational flyers in both English and Spanish to them. The Fairs were held on:
    
   • August 6, 2005, Pelham Civic Center, Pelham, Alabama
   • August 20, 2005, Osceola Heritage Park, Kissimmee, Florida
   OSHA Region II Hispanic Family Safety and Health Fair
   
   Through the Alliance, the NFIB asked its local chapter in New York to promote OSHA's Region II Hispanic Family Safety and Health Fair. The event, sponsored by OSHA the Consultation Program in New York and other local organizations will offer Spanish-language construction safety and health workshops and health screenings. The NFIB's local chapter identified its members near the Fair's location and sent letters and informational flyers in both English and Spanish to them. The Fair will be held on June 25, 2006, Coca-Cola Fair Grounds, Rochester, New York.
    
   • Encourage NFIB state offices to build relationships and establish links with OSHA's Regional and Area Offices where feasible, and promote the availability of OSHA's Compliance Assistant Specialists and Consultation Projects to address issues that impact small businesses.
   OSHA Columbus, Ohio Area Office Alliance with NFIB/Ohio State Chapter
   
   On September 22, 2005 OSHA's Region V, Columbus, Ohio Area Office signed an Alliance with the NFIB/Ohio State Chapter. The OSHA Columbus, Ohio Area Office and NFIB/Ohio State Chapter Alliance is working on a number of projects including developing an "Ask OSHA Column" for the NFIB/Ohio State Chapter's newsletter, and working with the NFIB's AAC in Ohio to develop a safety and health program to present during the Council's meetings.
    
   • Work with other Alliance participants on safety and health issues and projects that impact small and independent businesses, especially safety and health management programs, which are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.
   Products
   
   "Managing Chemical Reactivity Hazards: A Workshop for Non-Chemists"
   
   NFIB sponsored "Managing Chemical Reactivity Hazards: A Workshop for Non-Chemists" and promoted the Workshop to their members in Georgia and Texas. The OSHA and Chemical Reactivity Hazards Management Alliance developed the Workshop for presentation throughout the chemical industry. It is designed to help smaller businesses identify the reactive chemical hazards that may be present in their operations. The Workshop was presented in conjunction with the Chlorine Institute's 2005 Fall National Meeting September 26, 2005 in Atlanta, Georgia. It was also held January 13, 2006 in Houston, Texas in conjunction with the Center for Chemical Process Safety's (CCPS) Technical Steering Committee Meeting.
   
   North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week 2006, April 30-May 6, 2006
   
   NFIB supported and promoted NAOSH Week 2006, which was held April 30-May 6, 2006. NAOSH Week is sponsored by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), an Alliance Program participant, and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineers (CSSE). The NFIB promoted the Week to its members in the NFIB's S.A.V.I. eNewsletter and in the April/May edition of NFIB's MyBUSINESS magazine, with articles that featured not only the week but tools like the OSHA Hazard Awareness Advisor, that members could take advantage of to create a safer workplace. In addition, Andrew Langer, from NFIB's Washington, DC office, attended the NAOSH Week Kick-off May 1, 2006 in the Department of Labor (DOL) auditorium.
    
   • Assist in the testing and development of safety and health resources for small businesses.
     
     The OSHA and NFIB Alliance Implementation Team has not started work on programs or projects to address this goal.
   Promoting the National Dialogue on Workplace Safety and Health Goals
    
   • Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on independent businesses' safety and health issues including safety and health management programs, to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace.
   Events
   
   Alliance Program's Promoting the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) Workgroup Meeting, Washington, DC, August 1, 2005
   
   Through the Alliance Program, OSHA held the Promoting the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) Workgroup meeting August 1, 2005 in Washington, DC. This meeting was a follow-up event to the Alliance Program's Hazard Communication Roundtable held February 15, 2005. The Workgroup, with representatives from 12 Alliance Program participants, identified potential compliance assistance products and resources to support OSHA's plans to adopt the GHS as part of its Hazard Communication Standard. Jeff Koch and Susan FitzHenry participated in the meeting on behalf of the OSHA and NFIB Alliance.
   
   OSHA Small Business Roundtable
   
   On September 8, 2005, Jeff Koch and Susan FitzHenry, along with representatives from 16 other Alliances met to provide feedback and input on the compliance assistance components of OSHA's Small Business Initiative (SBI). The Roundtable attendees participated in four breakout groups to discuss OSHA's Consultation Program, small business issues related to safety and health training, and OSHA's printed materials and Web-based tools. During the Roundtable, the attendees provided OSHA with a number of recommendations to enhance its small business compliance assistance activities and resources.
    
2. Executive Summary
   
   OSHA and the NFIB have worked together through the Alliance Program during the past year to further enhance compliance assistance materials and information that is available for small businesses. In addition, the Alliance is continuing to share information on drug-free workplaces.
   
   Through the OSHA and NFIB Alliance Web page on the OSHA Web site, small business owners and individuals have access to links to many resources, including OSHA's Onsite Consultation Program, and other small business resources. The page also includes links to OSHA developed stories that are posted on the NFIB's Tools and Tips Web page.
   
   On the NFIB's Tools and Tips Web page the NFIB has posted four OSHA developed articles which contain links to additional safety and health related resources. OSHA provided additional links to its resources, including information on drug testing, and Hispanic outreach and assistance tools for NFIB to post on its Tools and Tips Web page.
   
   OSHA and NFIB have also participated together at a number of events such as the NFIB's AAC Workers' Compensation Seminars in Texas and Montana. During the evaluation period, OSHA staff participated in 21 seminars that reached over 750 attendees and provided them with information on safety and health resources available from OSHA including the On-Site Consultation Program. In addition, OSHA staff participated in 4 NFIB/Ohio Safety Seminars that provided safety and health information on machine guarding, electrical safety, hazard communication, fall protection, and trenching and excavation. The NFIB also helped promote OSHA's Region IV Family Safety and Health Fairs in Florida and Alabama.
   
   Other projects implemented to meet the Alliance agreements' goals include:
    
   • Jeff Koch and Susan FitzHenry participated in the Alliance Program's Hazard Communication Roundtable Promoting the GHS Workgroup meeting, in Washington, DC, August 1, 2005.
      
   • The NFIB was a NAOSH Week 2006 sponsor and promoted the week to its members in the NFIB's S.A.V.I. eNewsletter and in the April/May edition of NFIB's MyBUSINESS magazine. Andrew Langer from NFIB's Washington, DC office participated in the NAOSH Week Kick-off on May 1, 2006.
      
   • NFIB/Ohio State Chapter signed an Alliance with OSHA's Region V Columbus, Ohio Area Office on September 22, 2005.
   Based on the successes realized during the Alliance's first two year agreement, OSHA and NFIB agreed to renew the Alliance.
    
3. Alliance Program Reach

IV. Upcoming Milestones

The OSHA and NFIB Alliance renewal agreement has been approved by Office of the Solicitor and a signing date is being arranged. Through the Alliance renewal agreement, OSHA and the NFIB will continue to build its working relationship and expand upon the programs already begun through the Alliance. For example, NFIB will is continue to address Hispanic safety and health outreach in the upcoming year. The association also plans to continue informing its members about the benefits of the Alliance Program and the resources that are available to the small business community during AAC Workers' Compensation meetings that may be scheduled throughout the year in a number of locations including Arizona, Maryland, Montana, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.
 
New NFIB members were added to the implementation team including George Yogurtian and Chad Wilson. In addition, two implementation team members, Jim Wirth and George Yogurtian are participating with other Alliance Program participants to provide expertise during the agency's development of the draft Business Case Safety and Health Topics page.

OSHA and NFIB will have an Alliance exhibit booth at the 2006 NFIB National Small Business Summit, which will take place June 18-21, 2006 in Washington, DC. In addition to OOSA staff at the booth, staff from DOL's Working Partners Program will be providing information on drug-free workplace programs available from the department.
NFIB will continue to sponsor and help promote the "Managing Chemical Reactivity Hazards: A Workshop for Non-Chemists," to their members in 2006 should the Workshop be offered.


Report prepared by: Bill Willson, Alliance Co-Coordinator, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, July 25, 2006.