Region 3 - Alliance Annual Report - December 19, 2018


ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT

THE PITTSBURGH AREA OFFICE (OSHA)
And the
CONSTRUCTORS ASSOCIATION OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
December 19, 2018

  1. Alliance Background

    1. Date Signed

      December 19, 2005 Renewed: December 15, 2015

    2. Evaluation Period

      December 19, 2017 – December 19, 2018

    3. Overview

      The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Pittsburgh Area Office and The Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania (CAWP) aligned to provide Council members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to the hazards associated with the heavy and highway construction industry.

    4. Implementation Team Members

      OSHA

      Christopher Robinson – Area Director, Pittsburgh Area Office
      Robert Carroll – Compliance Assistance Specialist, Pittsburgh Area Office

      Alliance participant

      Jason Koss – Director of Industry Relations, CAWP
      Richard Barcaskey – Executive Director, CAWP
      Joseph F. Casillis – President, CAWP

  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    February 1, 2018
    April 12, 2018
    August 31, 2018
    November 20, 2018
    December 17, 2018

      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.

    • Results

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

      Raising Awareness of OSHA’s Rulemaking and Enforcement Initiatives:

      • To share information on OSHA's National/Regional/Local Emphasis Programs, Regulatory Agenda, and opportunities to participate in the rulemaking process.
      • To share information on occupational safety and health laws and standards, including the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers.
      • To convene or participate in forums, roundtable discussions, or stakeholder meetings on hazards associated with the heavy and highway construction industry to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.
      • To encourage worker participation in workplace safety and health by working with member contractors, subcontractors and the heavy and highway joint union apprenticeship committees to promote workplace safety through informational materials, discussions, meetings, organizational events, and training.
      Activity Type Activity Name/Summary OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported Number Reached
      Dissemination
      Training
      Region III "Focus Four Hazards" Campaign - Throughout this evaluation, the CAS has e-mailed the tool box talks on the Focus Four Hazards (Falls, Electrocutions, Struck by, Caught-in/between). The campaign was to raise awareness in the recognition, evaluation, and control of these hazards. CAWP members utilized information for training at jobsites. Construction
      Struck-By Hazards
      Electrocutions
      Caught-in/Between
      Fall Prevention
      4000
      Speech/Presentation
      Exhibit
      Training
      The Mid-Atlantic Safety and Health Alliance held its annual conference. CAWP promotes this event annually through their website. The CAWP Director of Industry Relations and member representatives attend the event for the educational tracks on construction and oil-gas operation safety. The Pittsburgh OSHA Area Office staffed an information booth. The OSHA presented an OSHA update as the closing keynote speaker. Worker Rights
      Employer Rights and Responsibilities
      Construction
      Oil & Gas
      Fall Prevention
      Heat Stress
      Safety and Health Programs/Systems
      Recordkeeping
      Temporary Workers
      Hazard Communication
      Silica
      Small Business
      20
      Meetings
      Dissemination
      Speech/Presentation
      Training
      The Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania is represented on all heavy and highway union joint apprenticeship committees operating in western Pennsylvania. The Association accomplishes this by appointing contractor members to each of these programs, which include the following trade unions: Carpenters, Cement Masons, Laborers, Operating Engineers, and Pile Drivers. In addition, a training fund is used for education of Teamsters. These committees are responsible for providing skilled construction workers through apprenticeship and training programs. Safety and Health information is promoted, supported and conveyed through these programs.
      CAS meets with the Apprenticeship Coordinator/Instructors of the CAWP applicable construction trades unions. CAS presented/discussed OSHA update information. In addition, safety and health issues/concerns relating to OSHA standards/regulatory agenda and OSHA inspection activities and initiatives were discussed.
      Worker Rights
      Employer Rights and Responsibilities
      Construction
      Silica
      Workzone Safety
      Fall Prevention
      Heat Stress
      Young Workers
      (Union Apprentices)
      12,500
      (Total Member Employees)
      Training CAWP contracted a third party expert/consultant to conducted three "Silica Competent Person" training classes and one IH Silica Sampling training class Construction
      Silica
      112
      Training CAWP hosted a "Fall Protection in Construction" training day conducted by instructors from the Associated General Contractors of America. The training/materials were funded by a Susan Harwood Grant through OSHA. Construction
      Fall Protection
      24
      Exhibit
      Speech/Presentation
      Dissemination
      Training
      PA One Call Western PA Safety Day - Pittsburgh Area Office representatives staffed an information table and provided presentations on trenching/excavation safety. The staff provided handouts and answered a variety of question relating to excavation safety, construction standards, fall protection, heat stress, workers' rights and OSHA policies/procedures. The CAWP Director of Industry Relations and member representatives participated and discussed issues and concerns relating to but not limited to OSHA policies/procedures, work zone safety, silica fall protection, and excavation safety. In addition, CAWP staffed an information table. Construction
      Fall Protection
      Worker Rights
      Employer Rights and Responsibilities
      Heat Stress
      Silica
      150
      Meetings
      Dissemination
      Speech/Presentation
      The Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania has quarterly Safety and Risk Committee meetings. These meetings not only work on planning future training/educational events, they act as a forum to exchange safety and health technical information and best practices. OSHA update information is presented/discussed during these meetings Construction
      Workzone Safety
      Safety and Health Programs/Systems
      Fall Prevention
      Heat Stress
      Hazard Communication
      Silica
      Oil and Gas
      Small Business
      Recordkeeping
      25
      Dissemination
      Media
      PennDot Worker Memorial Media Event - CAWP Director of Industry Relations and CAS participated in the PennDot media event. The event was covered by the three major news networks in the Pittsburgh area. Information presented focused on workzone safety and state driver laws. PennDot representatives, CAWP Director of Industry Safety and a spokesperson from the State Police presented the safety information and concerns on camera. Construction
      Workzone Safety
      50 (in-person)
      100,000 (estimated TV media households)
      Training
      Dissemination
      Speech/Presentation
      Fall Stand Down Event at the MSA training Facility - OSHA and MSA Representatives conduct fall protection training. OSHA regulations, local fatality stats, fall hazards, and fall prevention systems were discussed. Construction
      Fall Protection
      30
      Training CAS, Director on Industry Relations - CAWP, and Executive Director participated in a "Technology Roadshow" at the Operating Engineers Apprenticeship School. The event focused on the new technology used in Highway Construction. Representatives from member contractors and Union apprentices received hands on training demonstrating the new products being utilized in making Highway construction more efficient. OSHA received information for providing staff with update on technology available and being used in Highway construction. Construction
      Workzone Safety
      50
      Training CAWP sponsored and promoted a variety training classes/workshops/webinars throughout the past year covering the following topics: OSHA 10 Hour; First Aid/CPR/AED/Blood Borne Pathogens; Confined Space Entry - Competent Person; Rigging; Flagger Train-The Trainer; Defensive Driving; Workzone Safety; DOT Compliance; Crane Qualification; DOT Driver Safety; NSC on-line Defensive Driving. Construction
      Silica
      Workzone Safety
      Oil & Gas
      Worker Rights
      807
      Training
      Dissemination
      Director of Industry Relations presented a variety of information at the OSHA staff to include but not limited to the organization's history and function, project funding, upcoming highway/bridge projects & Shell's Cracker Plant project, Joint union management training set up for union apprenticeship schools, workforce development strategy, outreach/media activities to include youth outreach, new training videos and Apps, work zone safety and awareness, PENNDOT regulations and initiatives and CAWP sponsored safety training programs (to include training on new silica and crane standards). Construction
      Workzone Safety
      Workforce Development
      Silica
      Mobile Crane
      17
      Dissemination
      Training
      CAWP website is utilized to provide safety information and promote the various safety activities the organization conducts. The website has a variety of sections to include but not limited to OSHA Alliance agreement, listing of local fatality statistics, frequently cited standards, Safety Bulletins, Crane Safety (link to OSHA standard, preamble, frequently asked questions), Safety Library of DVDs and Videos, a link to the on-line safety training provided by the AGC of America, Several Apps (i.e. Traffic Controller, Bridge Harness Hero, Future Road Builders), and a Government Affairs Section (updates government actions and encourages member to get involved). In addition, a specific section with the Focus Four Toolbox Talks was available on the website. Construction
      Workzone Safety
      Safety and Health Programs/Systems
      Fall Prevention
      Heat Stress
      Hazard Communication
      Silica
      Oil and Gas
      Small Business
      Recordkeeping
      15,000
      (Total employees represented by members and associate members)
      Training
      Dissemination
      CAWP members conducted fall protection safety stand downs at 22 sites. Consisting of fall protection toolbox training talks. Fall Prevention 553
      Training and Education:
      • To review or provide input on effective training and education programs for member contractors and others regarding hazards associated with the heavy and highway construction industry and to communicate such information to member employers and workers.
      • To review or provide input on effective training and education programs for heavy and highway construction employers and employees to promote an understanding of workers' rights, including the use of the OSHA complaint process, the responsibilities of employers, and to communicate such information to workers and employers.
      Activity Type Activity Name/Summary OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported Number Reached
      Meetings
      Dissemination
      Speech/Presentation
      The Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania has quarterly Safety and Risk Committee meetings. These meetings not only work on planning future training/educational events, they act as a forum to exchange safety and health technical information and best practices. OSHA update information is presented/discussed during these meetings Construction
      Workzone Safety
      Safety and Health Programs/Systems
      Fall Prevention
      Heat Stress
      Hazard Communication
      Silica
      Oil and Gas
      Small Business
      Recordkeeping
      25
      Training
      Dissemination
      CAWP members conducted fall protection safety stand downs at 22 sites. Consisting of fall protection toolbox training talks. Fall Prevention 553
      Training CAWP contracted a third party expert/consultant to conducted three "Silica Competent Person" training classes and one IH Silica Sampling training class Construction
      Silica
      112
      Training CAWP sponsored and promoted a variety training classes/workshops/webinars throughout the past year covering the following topics: OSHA 10 Hour; First Aid/CPR/AED/Blood Borne Pathogens; Confined Space Entry - Competent Person; Rigging; Flagger Train-The Trainer; Defensive Driving; Workzone Safety; DOT Compliance; Crane Qualification; DOT Driver Safety; NSC on-line Defensive Driving. Construction
      Silica
      Workzone Safety
      Worker Rights
      807
      Dissemination
      Training
      Region III "Focus Four Hazards" Campaign - Throughout this evaluation, the CAS has e-mailed the tool box talks on the Focus Four Hazards (Falls, Electrocutions, Struck by, Caught-in/between). The campaign was to raise awareness in the recognition, evaluation, and control of these hazards. CAWP members utilized information for training at jobsites. Construction
      Struck-By Hazards
      Electrocutions
      Caught-in/Between
      Fall Prevention
      4000
      Exhibit
      Speech/Presentation
      Dissemination
      Training
      PA One Call Western PA Safety Day - Pittsburgh Area Office representatives staffed an information table and provided presentations on trenching/excavation safety. The staff provided handouts and answered a variety of question relating to excavation safety, construction standards, fall protection, heat stress, workers' rights and OSHA policies/procedures. The CAWP Director of Industry Relations and member representatives participated and discussed issues and concerns relating to but not limited to OSHA policies/procedures, silica, work zone safety, fall protection, and excavation safety. In addition, CAWP staffed an information table. Construction
      Fall Protection
      Worker Rights
      Employer Rights and Responsibilities
      Heat Stress
      Silica
      150
      Training
      Dissemination
      Speech/Presentation
      CAWP hosted a "Fall Protection in Construction" training day conducted by instructors from the Associated General Contractors of America. The training/materials were funded by a Susan Harwood Grant through OSHA. Fall Protection
      Construction
      24
      Training Fall Stand Down Event at the MSA training Facility - OSHA and MSA Representatives conduct fall protection training. OSHA regulations, local fatality stats, fall hazards, and fall prevention systems were discussed. Fall Protection
      Construction
      30
      Training
      Dissemination
      Director of Industry Relations presented a variety of information at the OSHA staff to include but not limited to the organization's history and function, project funding, upcoming highway/bridge projects & Shell's Cracker Plant project, Joint union management training set up for union apprenticeship schools, workforce development strategy, outreach/media activities to include youth outreach, new training videos and Apps, work zone safety and awareness, PENNDOT regulations and initiatives and CAWP sponsored safety training programs (to include training on new silica and crane standards). Construction
      Workzone Safety
      Workforce Development
      Silica
      Mobile Crane
      17
      Exhibit
      Dissemination
      Speech/Presentation
      Training
      The Mid-Atlantic Safety and Health Alliance held its annual conference. CAWP promotes this event annually through their website. The CAWP Director on Industry Safety and member representatives attend the event for the educational tracks on construction and oil-gas operation safety. The Pittsburgh OSHA Area Office staffed an information booth. The OSHA presented an OSHA update as the closing keynote speaker. Worker Rights
      Employer Rights and Responsibilities
      Construction
      Oil & Gas
      Fall Prevention
      Heat Stress
      Safety and Health Programs/Systems
      Recordkeeping
      Temporary Workers
      Hazard Communication
      Silica
      Small Business
      20
      Meetings
      Dissemination
      Speech/Presentation
      Training
      The Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania is represented on all heavy and highway union joint apprenticeship committees operating in western Pennsylvania. The Association accomplishes this by appointing contractor members to each of these programs, which include the following trade unions: Carpenters, Cement Masons, Laborers, Operating Engineers, and Pile Drivers. In addition, a training fund is used for education of Teamsters. These committees are responsible for providing skilled construction workers through apprenticeship and training programs. Safety and Health information is promoted, supported and conveyed through these programs.
      CAS meets with the Apprenticeship Coordinator/Instructors of the CAWP applicable construction trades unions. CAS presented/discussed OSHA update information. In addition, safety and health issues/concerns relating to OSHA standards/regulatory agenda and OSHA inspection activities and initiatives were discussed.
      Worker Rights
      Employer Rights and Responsibilities
      Construction
      Silica
      Workzone Safety
      Fall Prevention
      Heat Stress
      Young Workers
      (Union Apprentices)
      12,500
      (total member employees)
      Outreach and Communication:
      • 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 CAWP Web sites) to employers and workers in the industry.
      • To speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or CAWP conferences, local meetings, or other applicable events.
      • To share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding CAWP good practices or effective approaches through training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any other applicable forum) developed by the Participants.
      Activity Type Activity Name/Summary OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported Number Reached
      Meetings
      Speech/Presentations
      Exhibit
      Training
      Dissemination
      All activities in previous sections apply (See Previous sections for reference) Construction
      Safety and Health Programs/Systems
      Fall Prevention
      Heat Stress
      Worker Rights
      Employer Rights and Responsibilities
      Small Business
      Oil & Gas
      Recordkeeping
      Temporary Workers
      Hazard Communication
      Silica
      Workzone Safety
      Youth Workers
      (Union Apprentices)
       
      Dissemination Throughout this evaluation period, the CAS has e-mailed eight safety alerts on product defects relating to ladders, a harnesses, hard hats, safety boots, self-retracting lifeline, safety switches, and a confined space rescue kit. The Director of Industry relations distributes the alerts to the Safety Committee via e-mail. Fall Prevention
      Construction
      PPE
      Electrical
      Confined Space
      12,500
      (total member employees)
      Dissemination
      Training
      Media
      CAWP developed twenty construction apps to raise awareness for youths interested in heavy/highway construction careers. The Apps incorporate applicable construction and safety information. Construction
      Fall Prevention
      Workzone Safety
      Youth
      20,000
      (App downloads )
      Dissemination
      Media
      CAWP in conjunction with AGC launched a pilot program using mobile technology to send a workzone safety message. The effort used what is known as "Geofencing to identify mobile phones that frequently pass through a specific highway workzone. Construction
      Workzone Safety
      714,000 (Devices/motorists that have seen the safety message)
      2800 (motorists that clicked/followed the link in the Ad)
             
       
      TOTAL     33,338

      100,000
      (Estimated TV households - PennDot Worker Memorial Media Event

      20,000
      (App downloads)

      714,000 (Geofencing Program - Devices/motorists that have seen the safety message)
      2800 (Geofencing Program - motorists that clicked/followed the link in the Ad)
    • Evaluations

      The activities provided during this evaluation period were well received. The member representatives and the recipients of the safety and health outreach activities/communications found the information valuable in assisting them in promoting and improving their safety and health efforts at their heavy and highway construction jobsites.

      The individuals reached by the outreach activities/communication activities represent companies/unions with many employees/members that would be directly affected by the safety and health information provided. The working relationship between the Alliance Signatories and the feedback on the Alliance continues to be very positive

    • Upcoming Milestones

      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