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The WCC

ADSC-WCC signs Alliance with Federal OSHA Region X

John Dillenburg

The ADSC West Coast Chapter (ADSC-WCC) signed an Alliance with Federal OSHA Region X. Region X is comprised of four states, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. These states are part of the ADSC-WCC territories. The Alliance is an agreement that will remain in affect for two years. It is also an agreement that can be modified during that period. Representatives of both organizations will meet to develop a plan of action, determine working procedures, and identify the roles and responsibilities of the participants. They will meet three times per year and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance.

On October 21, 2005 at the Seattle, Washington Federal Building the official meeting and ceremony took place. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) was represented by: Richard S. Terrill, C.I.H., Regional Administrator, U.S Department of Labor, Dale R. Cavanaugh, P.E., Assistant Regional Administrator, Office of Technical Support, David L. Mahlum, Federal State Operations, and W. Walter Liang, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Secretary. The ADSC WCC was represented by Michael Kennedy, WCC President, (Anderson Drilling), John Dillenburg, Past WCC President and WCC Executive Director, Robert Birdsall, Past WCC President, (D.B.M. Contractors), Co-Chairman WCC Safety Committee, and Colin Perkins, Co-Chairman WCC Safety Committee, (Condon-Johnson & Associates). Not present, Rick Marshall ( Richard Goettle, Inc.), ADSC International Safety Committee Chairman. Rick attended a previous meeting OSHA along with Colin Perkins and Bob Birdsall to establish the Alliance guidelines with OSHA, and established the National Alliance.

Region X OSHA and the West Coast Chapter will work together to achieve the following training and education goals:

1. Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop training and education programs for small businesses and non-English or limited English speaking employees regarding fall protection, silica, pinch-point and equipment operation hazards and to provide expertise in communicating such information to employers and employees in the industry.
2. Work with OSHA to provide expertise in developing information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and to provide expertise in developing ways of communicating such information (e.g. print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools and OSHA’S and ADSC-WCC Web sites) to employers and employees of the industry.
3. Speak, exhibit or appear at OSHA’S or ADSC-WCC conferences, local meetings or other events such as the West Coast Chapters Safety Committee meeting.
4. Share Information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding ADSC-WCC best practices or effective approaches and publicize results through outreach by ADSC and through OSHA’S or ADSC-WCC’S developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any other applicable forum).
5. Promote and encourage ADSC members’ or worksites’ participation in OSHA’S cooperative programs, and the Consultation Program and its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.
6. Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects related to foundation drilling, fall protection, pinch-point and equipment operation hazards that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.
7. Raise others’ awareness of and demonstrate their own commitment to workplace safety and health whenever ADSC-WCC leaders address groups.
8. Develop and disseminate case studies illustrating the business value of safety and health publicize their results.
9. Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on foundation drilling issues such as fall protection, silica, pinch-point and equipment operation hazards, to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) works with the public to promote safety and health in the workplace by offering compliance assistance services and programs to businesses and organizations. These services and programs help organizations work collaboratively with the Agency and comply with Occupational and Safety Act of 1971.

In March 2002, OSHA created the Alliance Program. This cooperative program enables organizations committed to safety and health work with OSHA to prevent injuries, illnesses and fatalities in the workplace. OSHA and Alliance participants work together to reach out to, educate, and lead the nation’s employers and their employees’ in advancing workplace safety and health. Groups that can form and Alliance with OSHA include employers, labor unions, professional groups, and educational institutions.

There are many benefits to participating in an Alliance with OSHA. The agreements, which are signed for two years help organizations to:

1. Build trusting, cooperative relationships with the agency.
2. Network with others committed to workplace safety and health.
3. Leverage resources to maximize worker safety and health protection.
4. Gain recognition as proactive leaders in safety and health.

In addition to the Region X Alliance, the ADSC-WCC is currently pursuing an Alliance with Region IX (California, Nevada, and Arizona) to achieve the same results. With this additional Alliance the West Coast Chapter will have all its’ U.S. territory covered. Our Safety Committee is also in the process of an Alliance (when allowed) with each state OSHA program.