Region 3 - Alliance Annual Report - March 30, 2015


ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT
PITTSBURGH AREA OFFICE
THE IRONWORKER EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATION OF WESTERN PA INC.
March 30, 2015


  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed: 3-11-03

    Date Renewed: Last Renewal 3-22-13

    Alliance Overview:

    The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Pittsburgh Area Office and the Ironworker Employers Association of Western Pennsylvania, Inc. (IWEA) aligned to foster and maintain an open line of communication with each other for the meaningful exchange of information on promoting OSHA compliance and Industry best practices in the Construction Industry and to understand the rights of workers and the responsibilities of employers under the Occupational safety and Health Act.

    Implementation Team Members:

    • Bill Ligetti - Executive Director, IWEA
    • Christopher Robinson - Area Director, OSHA Pittsburgh Area Office
    • Robert Carroll - CAS, OSHA Pittsburgh Area Office
  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    April 25, 2014 In-person Pittsburgh, PA
    July 25, 2014 In-person Greentree, PA
    October 27, 2014 Conference Call  
    November 21, 2014 In-person Greentree, PA
    January 13, 2015 In-person Greentree, PA
    March 16, 2015 Conference Call  
  3. Activities and Products

    Evaluation Period

    March 29, 2014 to March 29, 2015

    Alliance Activity

    April 25, 2014 - CAS attended the "Ironworkers Outstanding Apprentice Competition and Annual Contractors/Construction Professionals Open House". This event was held in conjunction with and at the Ironworkers Union Local #3 Apprenticeship School. The CAS received cross training in Ironworker construction activity. In addition, the CAS provided updated OSHA information and answered numerous questions relating to the construction standards from a variety of construction contractors/professionals throughout the day event.

    May 1, 2014 - Member company representatives attended the annual Mid-Atlantic Safety and Health Alliance (MASHA) Safety and health Conference. CAS presented an OSHA update as the closing keynote speaker. AD and CAS participated in an OSHA roundtable question and answer session. In addition, the AD and CAS met with representatives and discussed safety and health issues and concerns throughout the day.

    June 3, 2014 - As part of the Fall Protection Stand Down, member company employees participated in tool box training sessions at a Partnership site. The AD, CAS, and AAD participated by providing fall protection talking points and updated fatality stats.

    June 6, 2014 - As part of the Fall Protection Stand Down and the Ironworkers Local #3 Apprenticeship School, two training classes on steel erection and scaffolds covered specifics on fall protection. The AD and CAS participated by providing fall protection talking points and updated fatality stats.

    July 25, 2014 - CAS met with the Executive Director and discussed/presented information on two new letters of interpretation relating to structural steel erection. In addition, OSHA updated information and issues/concerns were discussed relating to applicable OSHA standards, regulatory agenda, and inspection activities.

    October 2, 2014 - A pre-construction meeting was conducted with site safety and project representatives where member companies will be constructing the ironwork. A variety of safety topics were discussed with the focus on fall protection, cranes, material handling, and site layout.

    November 6, 2014 - Cross training was conducted at the Ironworkers Local #3 Apprenticeship School. AAD, CSHOs, CAS, and third year apprentices participated in a structural steel erection training class that included classroom and hands-on erection of steel. The class covered the elements of safety, quality, and production on a structural steel erection jobsite. OSHA representatives, apprentices, and instructors were able to exchange knowledge in their respective areas. The IWEA had representatives from member companies present that supported and interacted with participants throughout the training. Both the IWEA Executive Director and Ironworker Local #3 Officers attended.

    November 21, 2014 - CAS met with the Executive Director and presented information on the new recordkeeping reporting requirements for the upcoming year. The Director placed a link to the OSHA recordkeeping web page on their website.

    January 13, 2015 - The Executive Director and CAS participated in reviewing packets of a variety of construction jobs that had been submitted for upcoming safety awards. This effort assisted in the recognition of companies and employees that have maintained safety excellence at particular jobsites. In addition, this activity enables OSHA to obtain "Best Practice" information on steel erection construction jobsites.

    Throughout this evaluation period, the CAS has e-mailed safety alerts on product defects relating to a mobile horizontal lifeline and electric powered hand tools.

    The Ironworkers Employers' Association of Western Pennsylvania has periodic Safety and Risk Committee meetings throughout the year. These meetings not only work on planning future events, they act as a forum to exchange safety and health technical information and best practices. In addition, IWEA provides safety educational opportunities throughout the year for members on related industry practices.

    The Ironworkers Employers' Association of Western Pennsylvania is represented on the union joint apprenticeship and journeymen upgrade committee of the Ironworkers Local #3. The Association accomplishes this by appointing contractor members and the Executive Director to the committee. This committee is responsible for providing skilled construction workers through apprenticeship and training programs. Safety and Health information is promoted, supported and conveyed through these programs. The committee also reviews funding, liability, disciplinary and other joint management/labor functions.

    Billl Ligetti, IWEA Executive Director, and member company representatives have called throughout the year for general discussions on OSHA standards/ policy/interpretations and requests for OSHA handouts/publications.

    Alliance Products

    The IWEA's website posted information and links to the safety alerts sent and a link to the OSHA recordkeeping webpage for the new reporting requirements. The website has a safety section, referencing the alliance. The website also posts and maintains various past safety and health information (i.e. OSHA news releases, safety bulletins, product recalls, etc.) for continual review. The website lists electronic links to various government, labor organizations, and contractor associations.

  4. Results

    The activities and information provided were well received. Bill Ligetti, Executive Director, and member representatives found the safety and health outreach activities/communications and the information valuable in assisting them in promoting/ improving their safety and health efforts. In addition, OSHA representatives found the shared information valuable in expanding their knowledge base on the implementation of good safety practices on steel erection construction jobsites.

    Type of Activity (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.) Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
    Ironworkers Outstanding Apprentice Competition and Annual Contractors/Construction Professionals Open House 200
    Mid-Atlantic Safety and Health Alliance Annual Safety and Health Conference 50
    Fall Protection Stand Down - Tool Box Training Sessions at a Partnership Site 30
    Fall Protection Stand Down - Ironworkers Local #3 Apprenticeship School Training (Steel Erection & Scaffolds) 10
    Pre-Construction Meeting 200
    Cross Training Ironworkers Local #3 Apprenticeship School 25
    IWEA Website 1200
    TOTAL 1715

    The working relationship between the Alliance Signatories and the feedback on the Alliance continues to be extremely positive. As a result of the positive working relationship between the Alliance signatories, an Alliance Renewal Agreement is scheduled to be signed on April 6, 2015.

  5. Upcoming Milestones

    As a result of the positive working relationship between the Alliance signatories, an Alliance Renewal Agreement is scheduled to be signed on April 6, 2015. The Alliance continues to look at future opportunities in providing information for affected parties. The Alliance Signatories will continue to work together to address the safety and health needs of the affected parties.

Report Prepared by: Bob Carroll, CAS Pittsburgh Area Office

For more information, contact the Office of Outreach Services and Alliances at (202) 693-2340 or go to www.osha.gov.