Reg 4 - Alliance Annual Report - September 30, 2004

U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Atlanta Regional Office
61 Forsyth Street, S.W., Room 6T50
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
(404) 562-2300; Fax (404) 562-2295

Region IV Alliance Annual Status Report
September 30, 2004

Project: IBEW, SELCAT & NECA Alliance focused on reducing and preventing exposure to electrical transmission and distribution equipment hazards

Signed September 26, 2003

Overview of Goals

Training & Education Goals:

  • Delivery of safety and health training to experienced workers, as well as apprentice linemen, accomplished by the IBEW, SELCAT, and SLCC/NECA.
     
  • Development of training and education programs for employees focusing on safety and health issues related to the electrical utility industry.
     
  • Develop workplace safety and health curricula focusing on the primary causes of fatal accidents in the electrical utility industry, including improper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), failure to maintain a safe distance, and failure to utilize proper equipotential grounding techniques.

Outreach & Communication Goals:

  • Develop and disseminate information through print and electronic media.
     
  • Speak, exhibit, or attend annual IBEW, SELCAT, and SLCC/NECA conferences, local labor meetings, training sessions, or other events.
     
  • Sharing industry safety and health-related best practices.
     
  • Promote OSHA’s cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Program, Consultation, and SHARP.

Promoting National Dialogue on Workplace Safety Goals:

  • Raise others’ awareness of and demonstrate their own commitment to safety and health whenever IBEW, SELCAT, and SLCC/NECA groups.
  • Develop and disseminate case studies illustrating the business value of safety and health and publicize their results.
     
  • Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings to discuss electrical industry safety and health issues.

Overview of Milestone Met in FY 2004

  • During the December 2003 chapter meeting the alliance with OSHA was promoted.

  • During Labor/Management meetings in Georgia, Florida and Arkansas the alliance with OSHA was promoted.

  • Alliance was presented and copies provided to the NECA membership.

  • Alliance was promoted in the NECA National Newsletter, distributed to 128 national and international chapters.

  • Developed a fact sheet addressing the health hazards of welding galvanized metals.

  • Implementation team members attended the IBEW Tenth and Fifth District Progress meetings.

  • Developed a Lineman/Foremen training course, which focuses on a wide range of safety and health issues with the goal of changing the safety culture. An instructor for the course is currently being recruited.

  • Developed a SELCAT safety training course, as well as a course catalog which list all of the training courses offered by the organization.

Milestones Achievement Targeted in FY 2005:

  • The NECA Electrical Contracting Foundation (ELECTRI 21) is currently researching equipotential grounding. The results of the research conducted by ELECTRI 21 will be shared with OSHA.

  • Implementation of Newsletter with information about alliance.

  • Identify and share best practices between contractors.

  • Conduct an injury prevention assessment to evaluate the alliance’s impact.

  • Development of a unified industry safety manual