NTSP - Annual Alliance Report - April 21, 2009

ALLIANCE ANNUAL REPORT
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
and
National Telecommunications Safety Panel
April 21, 2009

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed

    February 26, 2004

    Dates Renewed

    June 9, 2006 March 26, 2008

    Overview

    OSHA's Alliance with NTSP focuses on providing the telecommunications industry with information, guidance, and access to training resources to help them protect employees’ health and safety by addressing ergonomic issues.

    Implementation Team Members

    OSHA

    Brett Besser
    Salt Lake Technical Center (SLTC), Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management (DTSEM)
    Cathy Cronin
    Office of Training and Educational Development (OTED), Directorate of Training and Education (DTE)
    Brently Donaldson
    OTED, DTE
    *Lee Anne Jillings
    Office of Outreach Services and Alliances (OOSA), Directorate of Cooperative and State Program (DCSP)
    Joanna Sznajder
    Office of Physical Hazards (OHP), Directorate of Standards and Guidance (DSG)
    Bill Willson
    OOSA, DCSP

    NTSP

    Eric Allager
    Sprint Nextel
    Lynn Alpaugh
    AT&T
    Frank Bannister
    Sprint Nextel
    Marshall Berry
    AT&T
    Laura Kiser
    AT&T
    John Quinlan
    Verizon
    Marie Robinson
    AT&T

    * Lee Anne Jillings served on the Alliance Implementation Team until September 2008.

    Evaluation Period

    February 26, 2008 – February 25, 2009

  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    February 18, 2009
    Implementation Team Meeting, Teleconference
    January 23, 2009
    NTSP/National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) Teleconference
    October 8, 2008
    Implementation Team Meeting, Teleconference
    June 26, 2008
    Implementation Team Meeting, Teleconference
    March 6, 2008
    Implementation Team Meeting, Teleconference

    In addition to these formal meetings, the Alliance coordinators from both groups maintained regular contact throughout the reporting period to monitor the Alliance’s progress and results.

  3. Results

    1. Events and Products

      Outreach and Communication Goals

      • Work with OSHA to provide expertise in developing information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards related to ergonomics, and to provide expertise in developing ways of communicating such information (e.g. print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools and OSHA’s and NTSP’s Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry.

      Products

      OSHA and NTSP Alliance Web Page

      OSHA continues to maintain and update its OSHA and NTSP Alliance Web page on the Agency’s Web site. The page includes links to safety and health resources including Success Stories and a Fact Sheet developed by NTSP through the OSHA and NTSP Alliance. In addition, new information added to the page during the current reporting period includes:

      • Photo of the Alliance Renewal Signing, March 26, 2008
      • Renewal Agreement
      • OSHA Alliance Renewal Press Release
      • 2008 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week

      For more information on the number of visits to the OSHA and NTSP Alliance Web page, please see the Alliance Program Reach Table.

      NTSP Web Site

      The NTSP Ergonomics Web page on the association’s Web site features information about the OSHA and NTSP Alliance including a link to the OSHA and NTSP Alliance Web page on the Agency’s Web site and the NTSP’s Ergonomics Guidelines for Common Job Functions in the Telecommunications Industry. In addition, the NTSP added links to a number of OSHA’s safety and health resources such as OSHA’s Ergonomics: Solutions for Electrical Contractors eTool. Recently, NTSP added an "Office Lighting" presentation first given as a Webcast on November 19, 2008 that OSHA staff attended.

      For more information on the number of visits to the NTSP Web site, please see the Alliance Program Reach Table.

      Solutions for Electrical Contractors eTool

      Through the Alliance, Marie Robinson, Ergonomist, AT&T serves on the editorial board for OSHA’s Ergonomics eTool: Solutions for Electrical Contractors and provides the Agency with her expertise and feedback.

      • Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA’s or NTSP’s conferences, such as the International Telecommunications Safety Conference, local meetings, or other events.

      Events

      2008 International Telecommunications Safety Conference, Park City, Utah, September 9-11, 2008

      On September 9, 2008, Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., former-Assistant Secretary (posting request has been sent), USDOL-OSHA, gave the keynote address at the 2008 International Telecommunications Safety Conference in Park City, Utah.

      On September 10, 2008, Brett Besser, Ergonomist, SLTC, DTSEM, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation "OSHA Update, Computer Work Stations and Editorial Boards," to 55 attendees.

      On September 10, 2008, Dan Crane, Lead Physical Scientist, SLTC, DTSEM, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation on material failure issues in the telecommunications industry to 55 attendees.

      In addition, on September 11, 2008, Frank Bannister, Ergonomist, Sprint Nextel and member of the OSHA and NTSP Alliance Implementation Team, gave a presentation entitled "NTSP Ergonomics Committee and OSHA and NTSP Ergonomics Alliance Update."

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

      Products

      Web Cast Seminar "Office Lighting"

      Through the Alliance, NTSP invited OSHA staff to participate in a Web Cast Seminar entitled "Office Lighting." The seminar was given by Kathleen Turner, Ergonomist, AT&T, and Alliance Implementation Team member, on November 19, 2008. OSHA staff participating in the Seminar included Brett Besser and Joanna Sznajder, both Implementation Team members. The presentation is currently posted on the NSTP Web site.

      Office Lighting Fact Sheet

      Through the Alliance, NTSP developed a draft Office Lighting Fact Sheet to help companies and individuals identify and correct the ergonomic or safety and health aspects of office lighting. The final draft of the Fact Sheet is in the OSHA vetting process and, once finalized, will be posted on the NTSP Web site and linked to from the OSHA and NTSP Alliance Web page on the Agency’s Web site.

      Events

      2008 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week May 4-9, 2008

      On May 5, 2008, Deputy Assistant Secretary Donald Shalhoub, USDOL-OSHA spoke to OSHA staff, Alliance Program participants and other safety and health professionals during the 2008 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week kick-off event at the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C. Sponsored annually by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), an Alliance Program participant, and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, the Week focuses on the importance of preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace. The theme for the 2008 NAOSH Week was "Safety is Good Business." The OSHA and NTSP Alliance, along with a number of other Alliance Program participants, supported the Week.

      Stakeholder Meeting with the National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) January 23, 2009

      Through the Alliance, OSHA was able to arrange a meeting between NTSP and NATE to discuss a number of topics of interest to both groups including:

      • Cooperative outreach activities
      • Addressing sub-contractor issues including identification of qualified sub-contractors
      • Educational and speaking opportunities

      In addition, NTSP and NATE exchanged invitations to have speakers address their respective groups.

      Promoting the National Dialogue on Workplace Safety and Health Goals

      • Develop and disseminate case studies illustrating the business value of ergonomics and publicize their results.

        During this reporting period, OSHA and NTSP did not work on projects to address this goal.

    2. Executive Summary

      During the reporting period, OSHA and NTSP Alliance have continued to work together through the Alliance to address ergonomic issues in the telecommunications industry by developing information, guidance and access to training resources.

      Through the Alliance, OSHA and NTSP shared information through speaking opportunities. For example, at the 2008 International Telecommunications Safety Conference in Park City, Utah:

      • September 9, 2008, Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., gave the keynote address
      • September 10, 2008, Brett Besser, gave the presentation "OSHA Update, Computer Work Stations and Editorial Boards"
      • September 10, 2008, Dan Crane, gave a presentation on material failure issues in the telecommunications industry
      • September 11, 2008, Frank Bannister, gave the presentation "NTSP Ergonomics Committee and OSHA and NTSP Ergonomics Alliance Update"

      On January 23, 2009 OSHA arranged a meeting between NTSP and NATE to discuss a number of topics of interest to both groups. As a result of the meeting the associations agreed to continue discussions regarding working together on outreach activities, sub-contractor issues, and educational and speaking opportunities.

      Finally, NTSP Alliance members and a number of Alliance Program participants supported 2008 NAOSH Week, May 4-10, 2008.

    3. Alliance Program Reach

      Type of Activity (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.) Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
      OSHA and NTSP Web page on OSHA’s Web site 2,639
      NTSP’s Ergonomic Web page 7,500
      April 21, 2008, "OSHA Renews Alliance with the National Telecommunications Safety Panel," CCH Safety NetNews Data Not Available
      May 30, 2008, "New OSHA and Alliance Program Participant Products," ASSE Government Affairs Updates 5,500
      September 19, 2008, Keynote Address 2008 International Telecommunications Safety Conference, Park City, Utah
      Speaker:
      Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., former-Assistant Secretary, USDOL-OSHA      		 50
      September 10, 2008, "OSHA Update, Computer Work Stations and Editorial Boards" 2008 International Telecommunications Safety Conference, Park City, Utah
      Speaker:
      Brett Besser, Ergonomist, SLTC, DTSEM, USDOL-OSHA      		 55
      September 10, 2008, presentation on material failure issues in the telecommunications industry
      Speaker:
      Dan Crane, Lead Physical Scientist, SLTC, DTSEM, USDOL-OSHA,      		 55
      September 11, 2008, "NTSP Ergonomics Committee and OSHA and NTSP Ergonomics Alliance Update," 2008 International Telecommunications Safety Conference, Park City, Utah
      Speaker:
      Frank Bannister, Ergonomist, Sprint Nextel      		 55
      November 19, 2008, "Office Lighting" Web Cast Seminar
      Speaker:
      Kathy Turner, Ergonomist, AT&T      		 50
      TOTAL 15,904

  4. Upcoming Milestones

    OSHA and NTSP will work together to complete work on the Fact Sheet "Office Lighting" which will be posted to the NTSP Web site and linked to from the OSHA and NTSP Alliance Web page on the Agency Web site.

    The group will begin developing telecommunications-related safety and health Fact Sheets addressing issues in the industry including:

    • Retail sales
    • Shoveling

    In addition, OSHA and NTSP representatives will promote the OSHA and NTSP Alliance and discuss ergonomic issues through speeches at meetings, such as NTSP’s 2009 International Telecommunications Safety Conference in September 2009. The NTSP will work with NATE to exchange safety and health information including the possibility of providing speakers to each others conferences in 2009.

    In addition, the NTSP is planning on offering future Webcasts on various safety and health-related topics including powered industrial trucks. OSHA staff nationwide and Alliance Program participants will be invited to participate in future NTSP Webcast seminars.

    Further, as part of the OSHA and NTSP’s Alliance’s ongoing activities NTSP will support the 2009 NAOSH Week along with a number of other Alliance Program participants.

    In the upcoming year, the OSHA and NTSP Alliance will continue to maintain and update the OSHA and NTSP Alliance Web page on OSHA’s Web site and NTSP’s Ergonomics Web page on its Web site.

    Finally, an OSHA and NTSP Alliance implementation team member will continue to serve on the editorial board for OSHA’s eTool, Ergonomics: Solutions for the Electrical Contractors, and provide OSHA with input and expertise to keep the eTool up to date.

Report prepared by: Bill Willson, Alliance Coordinator, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, April 21, 2009.