NUCA - Alliance Close-out Report - December 6, 2006

OSHA and National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) Alliance
Close-Out Report

On December 6, 2004, OSHA and the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) formed an Alliance to provide NUCA's members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources to protect employees’ health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to underground utility construction hazards associated with trenching and excavation, tunneling, and confined space entry. Through the Alliance, OSHA and NUCA worked together to develop an OSHA 10-Hour Construction Outreach Training Program focusing on trenching and excavation and shared information during speaking opportunities and distributing compliance assistance tools.

Because NUCA has decided to focus on projects and priorities, OSHA and NUCA agreed to conclude the Alliance as of December 6, 2006. A number of successes resulted from OSHA and NUCA working together to meet the Alliance’s goals, including:

  • Representatives from the association worked with OSHA to develop a OSHA 10-Hour Construction Outreach Training Program focusing on trenching and excavation.
     
  • A representative from the association served on OSHA’s Trenching and Excavation Safety and Health Topics page’s editorial board.
     
  • NUCA supported OSHA’s Trenching Initiative by providing expertise to the Agency during its development and disseminating compliance assistance information and products to utility contractors.
     
  • Frank Perrino, Instructor, OSHA Training Institute, USDOL-OSHA made a presentation at the 2005 NUCA Annual Safety Forum.
     
  • On May 5, 2005, Steve Cloutier, then-Senior Occupational Safety and Health Specialist, Office of Construction Services, Directorate of Construction, USDOL-OSHA, provided an update on OSHA's Alliance Program and the activities of the OSHA and NUCA Alliance during the Carolina Association of General Contractors 75th Statewide Safety Conference in Greensboro, North Carolina.
     
  • NUCA instructors delivered the association’s training programs, including the Excavation Safety and Competent Person Training program and the Confined Space Entry Awareness program, to OSHA federal and State Plan State representatives.

Report prepared by: Jess McCluer, Alliance Coordinator, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, March 19, 2007