Region 3 - Alliance Annual Report - March 31, 2015

ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
And the
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
March 31, 2015

  1. Alliance Background

    1. Date Signed

      July 18, 2014

    2. Evaluation Period

      March 5, 2014 – March 5, 2015

    3. Overview

      OSHA and Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry (PCBI) intend to work together to with a continued emphasis on reducing and preventing exposure to hazards associated predominantly with the general industry sector. Specifically, OSHA and PCBI are committed to providing PCBI members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect the health and safety of workers and understand the rights of workers and the responsibilities of employers under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act).

    4. Implementation Team Members

      OSHA

      Kevin G. Kilp
      Area Director/ USDOL/OSHA Harrisburg Area Office.
      Dale Glacken
      Compliance Assistance Specialist/ USDOL/OSHA Harrisburg Area Office.

      Alliance participant

      Susan Smith
      Director, Educational Services/ PA Chamber of Business and Industry.

  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    • May 30, 2014: Results reviewed/received from previous OSHA Roundtables.
    • July 18, 2014: Meeting to renew the alliance between OSHA and the PCBI. Participants discussed possible ideas for next year’s round tables: temporary worker possibly presented by OSHA and WHD, changes to the Hazard Communication Standard that employers will need to be in compliance with. If the Alliance could effectively reach construction companies, it would be good to review: roofing work requirements and residential construction requirements.
    • Sept 4 – 8, 2014: Implementation team discussed details for 2015 events, including possible dates and began discussing potential topics. Team selects topics that are equally importance to OSHA and interesting safety topics that are timely and relevant to the roundtable attendees.
    • Sept 8, 2014: PA Chamber published the OSHA Handbook, 6th edition and distributed it.
    • Sept 18, 2014: Continued dialogue with the PCBI to discuss next year’s sessions.

    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, refine details for each event and discuss results.

  3. Results

    The following table summarizes the Alliance’s activities in support of the goals in the Alliance agreement.

    These tables are best viewed on tablets, notebooks, or desktop computer screens.

    Raising Awareness of OSHA's Rulemaking and Enforcement Initiatives

    Goal 1: To share information on occupational safety and health laws and standards, including the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers.
    Activity Type Activity Name/Summary OSHA Initiative Supported Number Reached
    Other PA Chamber published the OSHA Handbook, 6th edition which describes employer responsibilities and worker rights and sold to their membership. 150 Handbooks have been sold. Worker Rights 150

    Raising Awareness of OSHA's Rulemaking and Enforcement Initiatives

    Goal 2: To encourage worker participation in the PCBI sponsored Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers' Compensation, Health and Safety Division, annual employer safety committee recertification training event.
    Activity Type Activity Name/Summary OSHA Initiative Supported Number Reached
    Exhibit Sept 18, 2014: Annual Recertification and Training for Workers’ Compensation Safety Committees: CAS was provided a table to exhibit OSHA materials. Fall Protection. Hazard Communication. Rights and Responsibilities. Recordkeeping Requirements. Whistleblower Protections. 53
    Speech/Presentation Sept 18, 2014: Annual Recertification and Training for Workers’ Compensation Safety Committees: The session was conducted by Mary Rose Turnpaugh, Health and Safety Training Specialist for the PA Bureau of Worker’s Compensation Health and Safety Division out of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. CAS presented material on the proposed Injury and Illness Prevention Program (I2P2), proposed electronic reporting of injuries and Illnesses, the proposed Updates to the OSHA Recordkeeping/Reporting rules, expectations for Incentive Programs and finally, What is the OSHA Whistleblower program? Recordkeeping/Reporting. 53

    Training and Education

    Goal 1: To develop or assist in the development of effective training and education programs for member companies and others regarding hazards within the general industry sector and to communicate such information to constituent employers and workers.
    Activity Type Activity Name/Summary OSHA Initiative Supported Number Reached
    Speech/Presentation Sept 18, 2014: Annual Recertification and Training for Workers’ Compensation Safety Committees: The session was conducted by Mary Rose Turnpaugh, Health and Safety Training Specialist for the PA Bureau of Worker’s Compensation Health and Safety Division out of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. CAS presented material on the proposed Injury and Illness Prevention Program (I2P2), proposed electronic reporting of injuries and Illnesses, the proposed Updates to the OSHA Recordkeeping/Reporting rules, expectations for Incentive Programs and finally, What is the OSHA Whistleblower program? Recordkeeping/Reporting. 53

    Training and Education

    Goal 2: To present occupational safety and health information at least annually, to PCBI members on OSHA General Industry compliance.
    Activity Type Activity Name/Summary OSHA Initiative Supported Number Reached
    Speech/Presentation

    The Chamber hosted 3 OSHA Roundtables throughout the Commonwealth: March 7, 2014 in Harrisburg, March 13, 2014 in Monroeville and March 20, 2014 in Valley Forge: The following topics were presented: An OSHA Update was given by each of the Area Office Area Directors, Lock Out/Tag Out/Machine Guarding was given by Steve High of High Safety Consulting, and Complying with OSHA’s Electrical Safety Standard by Chuck Baker of Inservco.

     

    May 28, 2014: OSHA and Workplace Safety Conference: The all-day session covered the following topics: Active Shooter given by the PA State Police, Preventing Combustible Dust and Flammable Vapor Explosions presented by Vahid Ebadat, Forklift Safety Compliance presented by Joe Cocciardi and Dale Glacken, and finally Fall Protection and Scaffolding Guidelines presented by Joe Cocciardi and Dale Glacken.

    National and Local Emphasis Programs. Hazardous Machinery.

     

    Combustible Dust, Fall Protection.

    Attendance: Harrisburg = 71, Pittsburgh = 24 and Valley Forge = 41. TOTAL: 136

     

    65

    Outreach and Communication

    Goal 1: To develop information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and to develop ways of communicating such information (e.g., print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools, and OSHA's and the PCBI Web site) to employers and workers in the industry.
    Activity Type Activity Name/Summary OSHA Initiative Supported Number Reached
      No Activities    

    Outreach and Communication

    Goal 2: To speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or PCBI conferences, local meetings, or other applicable events.
    Activity Type Activity Name/Summary OSHA Initiative Supported Number Reached
    Speech/Presentation

    The Chamber hosted 3 OSHA Roundtables throughout the Commonwealth: March 7, 2014 in Harrisburg, March 13, 2014 in Monroeville and March 20, 2014 in Valley Forge: The following topics were presented: An OSHA Update was given by each of the Area Office Area Directors, Lock Out/Tag Out/Machine Guarding was given by Steve High of High Safety Consulting, and Complying with OSHA’s Electrical Safety Standard by Chuck Baker of Inservco.

     

    May 28, 2014: OSHA and Workplace Safety Conference: The all-day session covered the following topics: Active Shooter given by the PA State Police, Preventing Combustible Dust and Flammable Vapor Explosions presented by Vahid Ebadat, Forklift Safety Compliance presented by Joe Cocciardi and Dale Glacken, and finally Fall Protection and Scaffolding Guidelines presented by Joe Cocciardi and Dale Glacken.

    National and Local Emphasis Programs, Hazardous Machinery.

     

    Combustible Dust. Fall Protection

    Attendance: Harrisburg = 71, Pittsburgh = 24 and Valley Forge = 41 TOTAL: 136

     

    65
    Dissemination

    Shared the following information with the PCBI to share with their stakeholders throughout the year:

    • Product recall information.
    • Heat Stress.
    • Employee exposure to the Ebola virus.
    • Cranes and Derricks in Construction—Final Rule
    • OSHA extends compliance date for crane operator certification requirements.
    • Revised OSHA Recordkeeping, Reporting Requirement.
    • Updates to OSHA's Recordkeeping Rule.
    • Labor Rights webinar.
    • 2015 PA Safety Days for PA One Call.
    • Hazard alert: Worker Exposure to Silica during Countertop Manufacturing, Finishing and Installation.
    • Provided information about the 2014 and 2015 National Safety Stand-Down to prevent falls in construction.
    • Heat Stress.
    • Recordkeeping/ Reporting.
    • Worker Rights.
    • NEP: Trenching.
    • NEP: Silica.
    • Fall Prevention.
    		 7000

    Outreach and Communication

    Goal 3: To share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding PCBI good practices or effective approaches through training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any other applicable forum) developed by OSHA and PCBI.
    Activity Type Activity Name/Summary OSHA Initiative Supported Number Reached
    Other In addition to Alliance renewal, participants discussed and decided on the topics for the next year’s round tables: temporary worker possibly presented by OSHA and WHD, changes to the Hazard Communication Standard that employers will need to be in compliance with. Temp worker. Fall protection. Proposed: 130
    TOTAL     7000

  4. Evaluations

    Responses from the attendees were conglomerated for the three OSHA Roundtables. 32% of the attendees participated in the evaluation:

    Overall Quality: 88%
    Speaker Expertise: 95%
    Handouts: 82%
    Facility: 90%

    Participants suggested the following topics for future events:

    • Lockout/Tagout.
    • Driving and travel on company business and fleet safety.
    • Confined Space.
    • Machine Guarding (not combine it with LOTO).
    • Behavior Based Safety Training.
    • Respirator Protection including medical evaluations.
    • Fall Protection.

     

    Workplace Safety Conference. 28% of the attendees participated in the evaluation:

    Overall Quality: 88%
    Speaker Expertise: 94%
    Handouts: 81%
    Facility: 91%

    Participants suggested the following topics for future events:

    • Ergonomics; Respirator Protection.
    • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
    • Electrical/LOTO.
    • Confined Space.
    • Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) 2012.
    • Employee Wellness.
    • Employee Accountability.
    • Roof work fall protection.
    • Contractor Management Systems.
    • OSHA Challenge Program.

     

  5. Upcoming Milestones

    Participants have planned similar events for 2015. The Pa Chamber will begin the half day OSHA Roundtables in Harrisburg in March, with a full day Roundtable in Harrisburg mid-year.

Report prepared by: Dale Glacken, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Harrisburg Area Office, 31 Mar 2015.