I. Alliance Background
Date Signed
December 12, 2002
Date Renewed
December 19, 2003
Overview
Through the Alliance, OSHA and the Washington Group International, Inc. are sharing best practices
and technical knowledge in the areas of, but not limited to, cranes and rigging, hearing protection
and ergonomics within the engineering and construction industry.
Implementation Team Members
| OSHA: |
|
| |
|
Ginger Henry
Lisa Ramber
Jerry Hockett
Van Howell |
Directorate of Construction
Office of Outreach Services and Alliances
Region X
Region X |
| |
|
| Washington Group International: |
| |
|
Brad Giles
Willie Piispanen |
|
Evaluation Period
December 12, 2004 - December 11, 2005
II. Implementation Team Meetings
January 14, 2005
April 12, 2005
July 19, 2005
October 11, 2005 |
Implementation Team Meeting
Implementation Team Meeting
Design for Safety Workgroup Meeting (Ken Way)
Design for Safety and Fall Protection Workgroup Meetings (Brad Giles and Ken Way) |
In addition to these formal meetings, the Alliance coordinators from both
groups maintained regular contact throughout the reporting period to monitor the Program's progress
and results.
III. Results
- Events and Products
Training and Education Goals
- Develop safety and health training and educational information that can be incorporated into
existing company programs or develop new courses for employees and contractors.
During this reporting period, OSHA and Washington Group International did not work on projects to
address this goal.
- Encourage employees and contractors to incorporate a proactive safety and health culture into
their day-to-day operations.
Events
OSHA 10 Hour Training - General Industry and Construction
Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, February 22 - 23, 2005
Idaho Falls, Idaho, March 7 - 8, 2005
Washington Group International continued to work with the Idaho State Department of Education,
Division of Professional-Technical Education to organize, teach, and host training programs for
trade school educators in Idaho. The program begins with a two-day Construction Safety
Train-the-Trainer course that provides teachers with a 10-hour OSHA safety certification card. It
continues with 30 hours of online OSHA safety courses that, upon successful completion, qualify the
teachers to participate in the 40-hour OSHA 500 Train-the-Trainer Course. They are then qualified to
use OSHA's 10 hour course to instruct students about OSHA safety and health regulations. When their
students complete the course, they are awarded an OSHA 10-hour safety certification card.
The following OSHA 10 Hour training programs were taught by Washington Group instructors in 2005:
- February 22 - 23, 2005, Coeur D'Alene, ID; 54 people attended
- March 7 - 8, 2005, Idaho Falls, ID; 35 people attended
OSHA Training Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction
Industry
Idaho Falls, Idaho, June 27-30, 2005
The Washington Group assisted OSHA's Region X Boise, Idaho Area Office in arranging the OSHA
Training Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry
train-the-trainer program for Idaho educators. Training was held June 27 – 30, 2005 in Pocatello,
Idaho and OSHA's Training Institute provided an instructor for the course. After completing the
course, the vocational instructors were qualified to teach OSHA's 10-hour and 30-hour courses.
Eighteen Idaho educators completed the training session.
Outreach and Communication Goals
- Participate in the cross training of OSHA personnel, industry safety and health practitioners and
engineering and construction contractors in the Washington Group's best practices and/or effective
approaches in accident prevention.
Events
Intermountain Northwest Safety Conference, Butte, Montana, April, 7, 2005
On April 7, 2005, Aaron Moore, Washington Group International presented "Economics of Safety" at the
Intermountain Northwest Safety Conference in Butte MT. During the conference William Piispanen, also
with the Washington Group, presented "Stretch & Flex, A Workplace Intervention to Reduce Soft Tissue
Injuries." Other presenters at the conference included Jeff Funke from OSHA's Region X Boise Area
Office and Mike Foreman from Region VIII Helena, Montana Area Office.
American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) Professional Development Conference, Safety 2005,
Ernest R. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, June 12-15, 2005
On June 12, 2005, Brad Giles, Washington Group International, participated in a Panel Roundtable on
"OSHA Construction Update" with Stewart Burkhammer, OSHA's Office of Construction Services. During
the roundtable discussions, OSHA's Alliance Program initiatives and cooperative programs were
discussed.
On June 15, 2005, "Supporting SH&E Careers in Government," was presented during ASSE's annual
conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. The workshop panelists included Brad Giles, Stewart
Burkhammer, and Roger Brauer, Board of Certified Safety Professionals (an Alliance Program
participant). Topics covered in the workshop provided government employees in the safety, health and
environmental fields with career development information, including the paths and milestones for
professional level certification.
Safety Fest of the Great Northwest, Boise, Idaho, November 29 - December 2, 2005
The Washington Group International, Associated General Contractors, the Idaho Department of
Technical Education, and OSHA's Region X Boise Area Office held this event at the Washington Group's
office complex in Boise, Idaho. All contractors and workers in the intermountain northwest area were
invited to the free-of-charge event to attend safety and health training programs. Attendees came
from Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and Utah. Keynote presenters at the event included the
Honorable Governor Dirk Kempthorne, OSHA's Region X Administrator Richard Terrell, Region X Boise
Area Office's Compliance Assistance Specialist Bill Bankhead and Brad Giles, Vice President of
Environmental, Safety, Health and Security for the Washington Group.
Washington Group presenters for the safety and health training sessions included:
- John Isham and Willie Piispanen, Noise and Hearing Conservation
- Rick Callor, Equipment Safety Program, Crane Safety, and OSHA 10 Hour
- Aaron Moore, Safety Makes Cents and OSHA 10 Hour
- Jose Melendez, OSHA 10 Hour Course in Spanish
- Susie Vader, Environmental Awareness
During the event a total of 416 seats were filled for the 24 training classes. In addition, 167
attendees completed an OSHA 10 hour training class including 36 participants in the two Spanish
language presentations. Six representatives from OSHA's Region X Boise Area Office participated in
the event and State government entities that sent employees to the event included State of Idaho
Prisons, State Insurance Fund, Idaho Transportation Department, and City of Boise. Local pipe
fitters and plumbers unions also participated in the Safety Fest.
ASSE Regional Operating Committee Meeting, March 3 – 4, 2005
Willie Piispanen attended ASSE's Regional Operating Committee meeting March 3 - 4, 2005 as the Area
Director for ASSE and made a presentation to the Region II ASSE officers on the OSHA Alliance
Program.
Products
OSHA and Washington Group International Job Shadowing Program
The Alliance Implementation Team continued its work on the Alliance's Job Shadowing Program. The
company is reviewing its upcoming projects for an appropriate project for OSHA representatives to
work with the Washington Group for one to three days on the planning and preliminary design phases
of a construction project.
In addition, OSHA identified a Strategic Partnership renewal worksite visit for Washington Group
representatives to accompany OSHA personnel. As a result, on July 19, 2005 Susan O'Very from the
Washington Group's Boise Infrastructure accompanied Dan Dolata from OSHA's Region X Boise Area
office on a worksite visit.
Promoting the National Dialogue on Workplace Safety and Health
Goals
- Seek opportunities to participate in stakeholder groups and other forums for providing input into
the development of safety and health standards for the construction industry.
Events
OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable, Design for Safety and Fall Protection Workgroups
Representatives from the Washington Group International participated in the Alliance Program
Construction Roundtable for construction-related national Alliances on July 8, 2004 in Washington,
DC. The Roundtable participants discussed how the construction-related national Alliances could work
together to address issues such as ergonomics, silica and motor vehicle safety. The Washington Group
has representatives on the Design for Safety and Fall Protection Workgroups that were created during
the roundtable meeting.
Design for Safety Workgroup - The Design for Safety Workgroup is working on a number of projects
including a general PowerPoint® presentation on "Designing for Safety" and a "Design for Safety" Web
page. In addition, a case study, "Design for Safety – Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Facility" based
on a Washington Group project is being developed by the group.
Fall Protection Workgroup - The Fall Protection Workgroup is in the final stages of completing
development of a Fall Protection Safety Tip Sheets for Employers and Employees. In addition, the
workgroup is providing comments to the OSHA Office of Training and Education on the "Fall Hazard
Awareness for the Construction Industry" training course, developed by OSHA's Office of Training and
Education. The Workgroup will also develop "toolbox talks" after the Safety Tip Sheets and the
training course are completed.
Washington Group representatives participated in the following Workgroup meetings:
- July 19, 2005 Design for Safety Workgroup Meeting (Ken Way)
- October 11, 2005 Design for Safety and Fall Protection Workgroup Meetings (Brad Giles and Ken Way)
- Share information regarding the Washington Group's engineering and construction safety and health
best practices, and cost benefit analysis techniques, with others in the industry through outreach
by the Washington Group and OSHA.
Events
Washington Group International Safety Workshop, Washington Group Corporate Offices, Boise, Idaho,
April 11 – 13, 2005
On April 11 - 13, 2005, the Washington Group International held a Safety Workshop at the company's
offices in Boise, Idaho. Three representatives from OSHA's Region X Boise Area Office and Lisa
Ramber from OSHA's National Office and the OSHA and Washington Group International Alliance
coordinator attended the meeting and workshops. Topics covered during the event included crane
safety, accident investigation techniques, equipment safety programs, hearing conservation, and
rigging safety.
Products
OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Pages
Washington Group representatives are continuing as members of the following Safety and Health Topic
pages' Editorial Boards and providing OSHA with input and comments on the pages' content:
- Crane, Derrick, and Hoist Safety, Rick Callor
- Trenching and Excavation, Rick Callor
- Workplace Violence, Joe Herrity
- Safety and Health Programs, Ken Way
- Heavy Metals/Toxic Metals, Willie Piispanen
- Scaffolding, Ron Cross
- Crystaline Silica, Craig Beck
- Promote the Washington Group International's engineering and construction safety and health
success stories through the company's and OSHA's Web sites and publications.
Products
OSHA and Washington Group International Alliance Web Page
The OSHA and Washington Group International Alliance Web page on OSHA's Web site contains
information on the Alliance, Products and Resources, Activities and Events, and Milestones and
Successes. The page is updated regularly.
Washington Group International Alliance Web page
The Washington Group International has an Alliance Program section on its Web page that highlights
the company's commitment to and participation in the Program. In addition, the page links to
information on the Washington Group's involvement in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP).
- Executive Summary
Through the OSHA and Washington Group International Alliance, the organizations are continuing to
focus on training programs that support small business enterprises, educate Idaho technical
instructors, and provide OSHA with insight into how construction contractors' safety and health
programs are operated. In addition, the collaborative relationship that the Washington Group has
established with OSHA's Region X Boise Area Office has significantly contributed to the success of
the Alliance. Both organizations have agreed to renew the Alliance agreement for an additional two
years.
During the past year, OSHA and the Washington Group have provided safety and health
train-the-trainer programs for Idaho technical educators (secondary schools and colleges) so that
they could provide safety and health training to graduating high school students and class
instructors. The program begins with a two-day Construction Safety Train-the-Trainer course that
provides teachers with a 10-hour OSHA safety certification card. It continues with 30 hours of
online OSHA safety courses that, upon successful completion, qualify the teachers to participate in
the 40-hour OSHA 500 Train-the-Trainer Course.
In 2005, training programs were held in Coeur D'Alene and Idaho Falls, Idaho and 90 educators were
trained. In addition, the Washington Group helped OSHA's Region X Boise Area Office organize a
Construction Safety Train-the-Trainer course. The training was held in Pocatello, Idaho for
technical educators and OSHA's Training Institute provided an instructor for the course.
The Washington Group also continued to reach out to numerous groups to make presentations on the
organization's safety and health programs and its participation in the Alliance Program. OSHA
representatives also made presentations at these conferences or were in the audience. For example,
at the Intermountain Northwest Safety Conference, April, 7, 2005, in Butte, Montana, Aaron Moore and
William Piispanen, Washington Group International, spoke to the group about the Economics of Safety
and the company's Stretch and Flex Program. OSHA representatives from OSHA's Region X Boise Area
Office and Region VIII Helena, Montana Area Office also spoke during the conference.
During the ASSE Professional Development Conference, Safety 2005 June 12 - 15 at the Ernest R.
Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, Brad Giles, Washington Group International;
Stewart Burkhammer, OSHA Office of Construction Services; and Roger Brauer, Board of Certified
Safety Professionals (an Alliance Program participant); spoke during a workshop, "Supporting SH&E
Careers in Government." Brad Giles and Steward Burkhammer also spoke during a "Construction
Roundtable" at the event.
In addition, numerous OSHA representatives, including Richard Terrill, Region X Administrator and
Washington Group made presentations to the more than 400 attendees at the Safety Fest of the Great
Northwest, November 29 - December 2, 2005, Safety Boise, Idaho.
The Washington Group is continuing to provide its expertise to OSHA through serving on a number of
OSHA's Safety and Health Topics pages' editorial boards including Trenching and Excavation,
Workplace Violence, and Safety and Health Programs. In addition, representatives from the Washington
Group continue to participate on the Alliance Program Construction Roundtable's Fall Protection and
Design for Safety Workgroups. Through the Design for Safety Workgroup, the company is working with
OSHA to develop a case study that highlights the Washington Group's successful integration of safety
into the design process during its Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Facility project.
The Alliance has also continued its Job Shadowing Program. During the past year, a Washington Group
representative accompanied OSHA Region X, Boise Area Office Strategic Partnership renewal worksite
visit. The Washington Group is evaluating its work sites for opportunities for OSHA to accompany
Washington Group representatives.
Finally, the Washington Group International would like to work with OSHA though the Agency's other
cooperative programs. In 2005, the company submitted a Corporate Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP)
and Brad Giles, Willie Piispanen, and Aaron Moore participated in the OSHA web cast on VPP corporate
programs on December 8, 2005 on behalf of the Washington Group.
- Alliance Program Reach
| Type of Activity (Conference,
Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.) |
Number of Individuals Reached or
Trained |
February 22 - 23, 2005
OSHA 10 Hour Training - General Industry and Construction
Coeur D'Alene, Idaho
March 7 - 8, 2005
OSHA 10 Hour Training - General Industry and Construction
Idaho Falls, Idaho
|
89 |
March 3 – 4, 2005, ASSE Regional Operating Committee
Meeting
Speaker:
Willie Piispanen, Washington Group International |
Data not available |
April 11 – 13, 2005, Washington Group International
Safety Workshop, Washington Group Corporate Offices, Boise, Idaho
OSHA Staff from the National Office and Region X, Boise Area Office attended the Workshop |
150 |
April, 7, 2005, Intermountain Northwest Safety
Conference, Butte, Montana
Speakers:
Aaron Moore, Washington Group International
William Piispanen, Washington Group International |
Data not available |
June 12, 2005, ASSE Professional Development
Conference, Safety 2005, Ernest R. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
"OSHA Construction Update"
Speakers:
- Brad Giles, Washington Group International
- Stewart Burkhammer, OSHA Office of Construction Services
|
75 |
June 15, 2005, ASSE Professional Development
Conference, Safety 2005, Ernest R. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
"Supporting SH&E Careers in Government Workshop"
Speakers:
- Brad Giles, Washington Group International
- Stewart Burkhammer, OSHA Office of Construction Services
- Roger Brauer, Board of Certified Safety Professionals (an Alliance participant)
|
50 |
June 27 – 30, 2005
OSHA Training Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry
Idaho Falls, Idaho |
18 |
November 29 - December 2, 2005, Safety Fest of the
Great Northwest, Boise, Idaho
Speakers from OSHA included:
- Richard Terrell, Region X Administrator
- Bill Bankhead, Region X Boise Area Office's Compliance Assistance Specialist
Speakers from the Washington Group included:
- Brad Giles
- John Isham
- Willie Piispanen
- Rick Callor
- Aaron Moore
- Jose Melendez
- Susie Vader
|
400 |
OSHA Safety and Health Topic pages' Editorial Boards:
- Crane, Derrick, and Hoist Safety Rick Callor
- Trenching and Excavation Rick Callor
- Workplace Violence Joe Herrity
- Safety and Health Programs Ken Way
- Heavy Metals/Toxic Metals Willie Piispanen
- Scaffolding Ron Cross
- Crystalline Silica Craig Beck
|
Data not available |
| OSHA and Washington Group International Alliance Web
page |
3,500 |
| Washington Group International Alliance Web page |
Data not available |
| TOTAL |
4,232 |
IV. Upcoming Milestones
OSHA and the Washington Group International will continue the Alliance's education and training and
outreach and communication efforts in the upcoming year. In addition, the organizations will sign an
Alliance renewal agreement for two years. The company will also continue supporting the Idaho
Department of Education's Safety Training initiative and it will sponsor and hold the second annual
Safety Fest of the Great Northwest.
OSHA staff from Region X will be invited to attend the company's 2006 Safety Workshop in Boise,
Idaho. In addition, Washington Group staff remains committed to speaking to local and regional
groups about its participation in the Alliance Program and the successful safety and health programs
that it has implemented within the company.
OSHA and the Washington Group will continue working on the Alliance's Job Shadowing Program. The
company will offer its Safety Qualified Supervisor Training to OSHA's Regions and it will continue
its review of upcoming projects to identify an appropriate project for OSHA representatives to take
part in during the design phase, including office planning, constructability review, and project
start-up. In addition, OSHA's Region X Boise Area Office will continue to identify sites for
Washington Group representatives to join its staff as worksite reviews of OSHA's Strategic
Partnership's participants are conducted.
The Washington Group remains committed to working with other Alliance participants to develop
compliance assistance information and products for OSHA staff and employers and employees in the
construction industry. The company will continue to attend meetings of the Fall Protection and
Design for Safety Workgroups that were established as a result of the OSHA Alliance Program
Construction Roundtable. Through the Design for Safety Workgroup, the company is working with OSHA
to develop a case study about its Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Facility project that successfully
incorporated safety during the project's design phase. The case study will be completed and posted
on OSHA's Web page in 2006.
Report prepared by: Lisa Ramber, OSHA and Washington Group International Alliance Coordinator,
December 30, 2005
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