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ALLIANCE ANNUAL REPORT

Occupational Safety and Health Administration
and the
Tree Care Industry Association (formerly the National Arborist Association)
July 1, 2004

I. Alliance Background

Date Signed

February 11, 2003

Overview

The TCIA Alliance addresses hazards facing the tree care industry, focusing primarily on the prevention of falls and struck-by incidents, as well as electrical hazards during tree-removal. The Alliance's goals include:

Implementation Team Members
 
TCIA:  
   
Cynthia Mills
David Marren		 President
Director of Regulatory Affairs, Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories
   
OSHA:  
   
Cathy Cronin
Bob Curtis
Douglas Edwards
Patrick Kapust
Lisa Ramber
Doug Simon
Nilgun Tolek		 Office of Training and Education
Salt Lake Technical Center (SLTC)
Region I
Directorate of Enforcement Programs
Office of Outreach Services and Alliances
Office of Training and Education
Office of Outreach Services and Alliances (until November 2003)
   
Contributors  
   
Dick Clark Contractor for OSHA, SLTC

Evaluation Period

February 11, 2003 - February 10, 2004

II. Implementation Team Meetings
 
March 17, 2003
October 10, 2003
October 27, 2003
January 28, 2004		 Kick-off meeting
Team meeting
Team meeting
Team meeting

III. Results
  1. Events and Products

    Training and Education Goals

    • Expanding a pilot training seminar developed by OSHA's Region I Office on compliance with OSHA standards, by delivering it to membership meetings across the country.
    Products

    OSHA Region I and the Massachusetts Arborists Association

    Prior to the Alliance's signing, TCIA participated in a cooperative effort between OSHA Region I and the Massachusetts Arborists Association to help local companies implement safety programs. How to leverage the information developed and the lessons learned from this effort has been an ongoing discussion of the OSHA and TCIA Alliance implementation team.

    • Developing and delivering training in the tree care industry on topics such as struck-by prevention, fall prevention, tree removal and electrical hazard awareness, including the guidance of the ASC Z-133 2000 standard.
    Products

    Tree Care Industry Safety and Health Management Course

    TCIA is working with OSHA's Office of Training and Education (OTE) to develop a Tree Industry Safety and Health Management Training Course. This course will be presented in conjunction with TCIA-related conferences and meetings. The implementation team would also like to present this course at OSHA's Training Institute and Ed Centers. The course discusses the importance and value of developing and implementing a company safety and health program and reviews the components of a successful safety and health program.

    OSHA and Z-133 Comparison

    TCIA's David Marren and David Wallis of OSHA's Directorate of Standards and Guidance produced a side-by-side analysis of ACS Z -133's deviation from federal OSHA standards for the ASC Z-133 Committee. This comparison was submitted to the Z-133 Committee for review so that clarifications can be developed to help eliminate the discrepancies, where possible, between the industry consensus and OSHA standards.

    • Developing or delivering presentations on relevant safety and health topics for TCIA conferences.
    Events

    November 13-15, 2003: 14th Annual TCI EXPO 2003, Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland

    OSHA exhibited during the EXPO and distributed copies of OSHA's CD for General Industry and publications that address hazards in the workplace to more than 100 people. In addition, OSHA staff previewed the draft Safety and Health Topics page for the conference's attendees.

    Outreach and Communication Goals

    • Disseminating information about the variety of safety resources available to the tree care industry from OSHA (such as OSHA's Consultation program and Compliance Assistance Specialists) and TCIA, including mentoring among TCIA members.
    Products

    OSHA and TCIA Alliance Website

    OSHA developed an OSHA and TCIA Alliance Website on the Agency's Webpage that includes the OSHA and TCIA Alliance agreement, news releases, and milestones and successes. This Website is kept up-to-date on a regular basis.

    TCIA Website (www.tcia.org)

    In June 2003, TCIA published on article in the Laws and Standards Update section on its Webpage entitled "What the TCIA/OSHA Alliance Means to the Tree Care Industry." In November 2003 the association also it published "TCIA Alliance with OSHA Paying Dividends" in this section. These articles were first printed in TCIA's official publication, Tree Care Industry.

    Publications and Newsletters

    Information and news releases on the OSHA and TCIA Alliance signing and the activities of the Alliance have appeared in a number of publications produced by OSHA and TCIA. Please see the chart in this report under "Alliance Program Reach" for additional information.

    • Fostering ongoing TCIA-OSHA dialogue on regulatory and compliance trends in the tree care industry, including joint annual review of frequently identified hazards, to assist in meeting the goals of the Alliance.
    Events

    OSHA Second Annual Compliance Assistance Conference, Tysons Corner Marriott, Vienna, Virginia June 9-13, 2003

    TCIA exhibited during the conference and provided the OSHA attendees with information about the tree care industry and the issues and hazards that the industry is addressing.

    Products

    Tree Care Industry Safety and Health Topics Page

    The Alliance has been involved in the development of OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Page for the Tree Care Industry. The page identifies the issues and hazards that impact the industry, addresses safety and health management programs and includes additional sources of information. OSHA's Salt Lake Technical Center is currently reviewing and addressing the comments on the page that have been received from. David Marren, chair of TCIA's Government Affairs Committee, and Peter Gerstenberger, TCIA's vice president of business management, safety and education provided input and recommendations during the page's development.

    Promoting the National Dialogue on Workplace Safety and Health Goals

    • In speeches and other public appearances, leaders in TCIA will attempt to raise others' awareness of, and demonstrate their own commitment to, workplace safety and health.
    Products

    OSHA and TCIA Alliance Program Talking Points

    After the Alliance was signed, OSHA and TCIA developed a set of talking points for use by both organizations. In addition, the Agency has developed an Alliance PowerPoint presentation that is posted on OSHA's Alliance Program Webpage that can be used by the Program's participants.

  2. Executive Summary

    Through the Alliance, OSHA and TCIA have built a more positive relationship and worked to raise awareness of the compliance assistance resources and programs that are offered by both organizations. OSHA and TCIA have demonstrated that they are committed to working together to benefit the tree care industry's employees. In addition, the Alliance has helped to improve the communications between TCIA and OSHA's regional offices.

    TCIA provided OSHA with expertise to help in the development of the draft Tree Care Industry Safety and Health Topics page. Through the Alliance, TCIA has worked very closely with OSHA's Office of Training and Education to develop the Tree Care Industry Safety and Health Management Training Course. The information that the TCIA implementation team members is providing to OSHA is helping to increase the value of these tools as resources for safety and health professionals and the public.

    In addition, TCIA has been vocal in its support of the Alliance and has published articles in its magazine Tree Care Industry and the association's Website. OSHA has also been updating and adding information to the OSHA and TCIA Website on OSHA's Webpage, including Milestones and Successes.

    Speaking and exhibiting opportunities have proven to be valuable for both OSHA and TCIA. OSHA participated in TCIA's 2003 EXPO in Baltimore, Maryland and was able to share safety and health information with employees in the tree care industry. In addition, OSHA staff helped to educate and inform the EXPO's attendees about the role of the Agency and its compliance assistance resources. Through exhibiting at the 2003 Annual OSHA Compliance Assistance Conference, TCIA was able to meet OSHA representatives and talk about the hazards in the tree industry and the information that the association has developed to help its members provide safe and healthy workplaces.

    The OSHA and TCIA Alliance has helped to provide resources for OSHA's Regional staff. For example, OSHA's compliance officers have called TCIA to discuss tree care industry operations and hazards and how tree care equipment is used in the field. In addition, the Alliance has helped to introduce TCIA to OSHA's National and Regional staff to discuss safety and health issues including cranes, drug-free workplaces, storm situations and safety and health statistics. The Alliance also provided the opportunity to OSHA and TCIA to work together to develop a side-by-side analysis of how ACS Z -133 deviates from federal OSHA standards.

  3. Alliance Program Reach
Type of Activity (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.) Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
OSHA and TCIA Alliance Website 4,000
June 9-13, 2003, OSHA Second Annual Compliance Assistance Conference, Tysons Corner Marriott, Vienna, Virginia, TCIA Exhibited 200
February 27, 2003, "OSHA, National Arborist Association Form Alliance Will Focus on Reducing Tree Service Hazards," OSHA News Release 25 News Services
March 1, 2003, "Alliances Formed with SWRI and National Arborist Association" OSHA's QuickTakes 40,000
March 3, 2003, "OSHA Forms Alliance With Tree Care Industry Group," Inside Health Policy, www.InsideHealthPolicy.com Data Not Available
March 6, 2003, "In Brief: Alliance Formed with Tree Service Industry," Occupational Safety & Health Reporter Data Not Available
June 2003, "What the TCIA/OSHA Alliance Means to the Tree Care Industry," Tree Care Industry (TCIA's official publication) Data Not Available
November 13-15, 2003, 14th Annual TCI EXPO 2003, Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland, OSHA Exhibited 1,000
November 2003, "TCIA Alliance with OSHA Paying Dividends," Tree Care Industry (TCIA's official publication) Data Not Available
TOTAL 45,200

IV. Upcoming Milestones

OSHA and TCIA are committed to continuing to work together to develop safety and health training and compliance assistance resources for the tree care industry. Both organizations are looking forward to the posting of the Tree Care Industry Safety and Health Topics on OSHA's Website. Once the page is posted, TCIA will also be a member of the editorial board.

The Alliance will continue its work on the Tree Industry Safety and Health Management Training Course. The team expects that the course will be completed by September 2004 and has discussed tentative plans to present it in the Northeast or Upper Midwest. The Alliance team has also discussed presenting the course at OSHA's Training Institute. In addition to inviting industry representatives to the course, the team will invite staff from the appropriate OSHA Region, Consultation Programs and State Plan States.

OSHA and TCIA will also be participating in various conferences and meetings during 2004 including TCIA's 2004 Fall and Spring Expos and OSHA's Compliance Assistance Training Sessions. Bill Willson, from OSHA's Office of Outreach Services and Alliances will be sharing TCIA's exhibit booth during the TCI EXPO '04 at the COBO Conference/Exhibition Center in Detroit, Michigan. On March 11, 2005, Paula White, Director, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, USDOL-OSHA, will make a presentation on the Alliance Program and OSHA's compliance assistance efforts during TCIA's Spring EXPO 2005 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California. TCIA will be exhibiting during OSHA's Compliance Assistance Training Sessions in June 2004.

On February 23, 2004, OSHA signed an Alliance with the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), (formerly known as the Associated Landscape Contractors of America). The OSHA and TCIA implementation team have discussed the possibility of holding team meetings with PLANET to work on issues that impact the tree and landscaping industries. The Alliance implementation team will also explore different ways that it can work with Regional Alliances, e.g. Region I's Alliance with the Massachusetts Arborist Society, to leverage resources.

In addition, OSHA and TCIA plan to continue sharing information regarding safety and health issues and regulations and encouraging OSHA's regional staff to contact TCIA's experts to answer questions regarding tree care industry operations and equipment. Both organizations agree that a proactive, collaborative relationship helps OSHA and TCIA share information and has a positive impact on the safety and health of the tree care industry's employees.


Report prepared by: Lisa Ramber, Alliance Coordinator, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, July 1, 2004