Alliance -- An OSHA Cooperative Program<< Back to Concluded Regional Alliances - Region V

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed

    Renewed September 18, 2009 (Two year agreement)

    Alliance Overview

    The Northwest Ohio Carpenters Alliance provides union leaders and others in the construction industry with information and guidance that will help protect the health and safety of their members. Goals of the Alliance include:
     
    • Training and Education
       
      • Continue the development of training and education programs based on best practices for working safely in the construction industry and give recognition to the members for taking said training. Share information on best practices, as jointly determined by OSHA and Northwest Ohio Carpenters and their employers through jointly developed training programs and materials. Promote their implementation through print or electronic media, at conferences, or by other means of outreach.
         
      • Deliver or arrange for the delivery of educational courses specific to the construction industry.
    • Outreach and Communication
       
      • Provide OSHA with access to Northwest Ohio Carpenters newsletters, meetings, and other resources as the means to disseminate information and guidance on workplace safety and health issues.
         
      • Speak, exhibit, or appear at conferences, local meetings, or other events.
         
      • Continue liaison contact between Northwest Ohio Carpenters and OSHA to answer compliance questions, discuss current jobsite findings, and current violation trends.
         
      • Cross-train OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals on the Northwest Ohio Carpenters best practices or effective approaches.
         
    • Promoting the National Dialogue on Workplace Safety and Health
       
      • Increase others' awareness of and demonstrate their own commitment to workplace safety and health whenever Northwest Ohio Carpenters leaders address groups.
         
      • On a quarterly basis, convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings to discuss safety and health issues and topics of importance to both OSHA and the Northwest Ohio Carpenters.
         
  2. Implementation Team Members and Meetings

    Carpenters

    Ron Rothenbuhler, Executive Regional Director
    Tim Moran, Business Representative
    Dan Morey, Business Representative

    OSHA

    Jule Hovi, Area Director
    Charles Shelton, Compliance Assistance Specialist
    Chad Positano, Compliance Assistance Specialist
    Darin Von Lehmden, Compliance Safety and Health Officer

    Meetings

    September 2009 the office met with several carpenter representatives and renewed the OSHA/NW OH Carpenters' Alliance. General topics were covered at this meeting so the group could refresh our goals and objectives.

    March 4, 2010, a group of carpenters visited the Toledo OSHA office for a brief training session with the Response Team Leader. The meeting covered OSHA's complaint process and procedures. New business agents and union stewards needed guidance on how best to contact OSHA for general guidance verses filing complaints.

    A meeting was held in person on April 13, 2010. In attendance were Ron Rothenbuhler, Tim Moran, Dan Morey, Jule Hovi, and Chad Positano. OSHA shared information on the most recent UTENN fatality event report, the proposed increases in OSHA penalties, the SVEP program, and discussed record-keeping rules. The Carpenters are in a state of transition in regards to announced retirements, and this transition was also discussed.
     
  3. Activities and Products

    Evaluation Period

    March 11, 2009 - May 11, 2010

    Alliance Activity

    Outreach and Communication
     
    • OSHA/Carpenter Liaison CSHO received several calls throughout the year from Business Agents with various safety and health questions and referrals for unsafe activity.
    • Informed Union of VPP companies within Northwest Ohio.
    Alliance Products
     
    • Due to time constraints and various other conflicts, no OSHA staff members could attend the Carpenters' training courses this year.
    • The Carpenters' leadership has continued to be in a state of transition. Mr. Moran is planning to retire in the summer of 2010, so a meeting was held on April 23, 2010 to discuss this transition.
    • Discussions were held with the implementation team to encourage members of the carpenters union to be diligent in their responsibilities to follow contractor and OSHA safety and health requirements, especially given the difficult economic climate and relatively high unemployment of its membership.
       
  4. Results
     
    • Open communication continues between the Northwest Ohio Carpenters and the Toledo OSHA office.
       
  5. Upcoming Milestones

    The OSHA/Northwest Ohio Carpenters Alliance implementation team has discussed activities for the upcoming year:
     
    • The Carpenters will continue to allow all of OSHA's Region V personnel to attend any of their Continuing Education Classes at their training facility.
    • A representative of OSHA will continue to speak to classes of Carpenter apprentices, upon request.
    • A representative of the Carpenters will conduct a scaffold and residential construction training presentation for the Toledo area office.
    Report Prepared by: Jule A. Hovi, Area Director