American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA)

(signed January 25, 2007; renewed February 25, 2009; renewed January 30, 2012; renewed October 15, 2015)

Through the OSHA and APCA Alliance, both organizations are committed to providing APCA members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help to protect the health and safety of workers, as well as promote a better understanding of worker rights and the responsibilities of employers under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act). The Alliance will continue to promote a culture of safety within the pipeline construction industry, including small businesses and non-English and limited English speaking employees, to reduce workplace incidents and prevent worker exposures to hazards such as those associated with equipment operation (e.g. bulldozer, excavator and sideboom), trenching and excavation, hydrostatic testing, and distracted driving. The Alliance's goals include:

Raising Awareness of OSHA's Rulemaking and Enforcement Initiatives
  • Share information on OSHA's National Emphasis programs, enforcement initiatives, Regulatory Agenda, and opportunities to participate in the rulemaking process.
  • Disseminate information on occupational safety and health laws and standards, including the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers.
Outreach and communication
  • Develop information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and to develop ways of communicating such information (e.g., print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools, and OSHA's and APCA's websites) to employers and workers in the industry.
  • Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or APCA's conferences, local meetings, or other events such as the APCA Annual Meeting.
  • Encourage APCA members and other industry stakeholders to build relationships with OSHA's Regional and Area Offices to address health and safety issues in the pipeline construction industry; participate in OSHA's Cooperative Programs, including Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) and the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP); and utilize OSHA's On-site Consultation Program to improve health and safety in the pipeline construction industry.
Training and Education
  • Promote industry-wide use of safety and health management systems, encouraging employers to develop new or enhance existing performance programs.
then-Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels, USDOL-OSHA, with J.D. Lormand, Executive Director, APCA, at the alliance renewal signing ceremony on October 15, 2015.

Then-Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels, USDOL-OSHA, with J.D. Lormand, Executive Director, APCA, at the alliance renewal signing ceremony on October 15, 2015.

Milestones and Successes

Alliance Agreements
Alliance Annual Reports
Alliance News Releases

Activities and Events

Archive
  • May 4-10, 2014: North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week. American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) and a number of other Alliance Program participants support 2014 NAOSH Week. Sponsored annually by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE), the Week focuses on the importance of preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace.
  • May 5-11, 2013: 2013 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week. The American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance and a number of other Alliance Program participants support 2013 NAOSH Week. Sponsored annually by the American Society of Safety Engineers and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, the Week focuses on the importance of preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace. 2013 Theme: "Worker Safety Works for Everyone."
  • May 6-12, 2012: 2012 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week. The American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) and a number of other Alliance Program participants support 2012 NAOSH Week. Sponsored annually by ASSE and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, the Week focuses on the importance of preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace. 2012 Theme: "Safety, What Every Business Needs."
  • June 12-15, 2011. ASSE Annual Professional Development Conference (PDC), Safety 2011, Chicago, Illinois.
    • June 15, 2011: Elizabeth Way, Director, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, Directorate of Cooperative and State Plans, USDOL-OSHA; Diana M. Cortez, Area Director, Region II, Tarrytown, New York Area Office, USDOL-OSHA; Marilyn Cole, Consultant, American Pipeline Contractors Association; and Elisonia Valle, Assistant Manager to Human Resources, Wenner Breads, Inc., will present "Safety and Health Resources for Diverse Workforces."
  • May 1-7, 2011: 2011 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week. The American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) and a number of other Alliance Program participants supported 2011 NAOSH Week. Sponsored annually by the American Society of Safety Engineers, an Alliance Program participant, and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, the Week focuses on the importance of preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace. The theme for 2011 was "Celebrating a Century of Safety."

Products and Resources

Alliance Program Participant Developed Products
Best Practices Fact Sheets

2017

2016

  • Telehandler Operation – For Supervisory Personnel and Operators (English) (PDF). Addresses pre-operation, operation, and post operation of telehandlers. (2014, September). This fact sheet is also available in Spanish (PDF) as an APCA product, which was developed outside of the Alliance Program. (Spanish translation 2016, May).
  • Vacuum Lift Systems Best Practices (English) (PDF). Provides best practice guidelines for personnel during pre-operation, operation, and post operation of vacuum lifts. (2015, September). This fact sheet is also available in Spanish (PDF) as an APCA product, which was developed outside of the Alliance Program. (Spanish translation 2016, May).
  • Best Practice for Cold Weather Awareness (PDF). Provides employees in the industry with information on safe practices and standards for working in cold temperatures, including cold injury risk factors and warning signs. Also includes measures that employers should take to protect workers from cold stress. (2016, March)

2015

2013

  • Locating Underground Lines English (PDF) Spanish (PDF). Addressing issues associated with locating and identifying underground pipelines/utilities before beginning an excavation. (2012, July; Spanish Translation March 2013).

2009

  • Excavation and Trenching Best Practices for Operators English (PDF), Spanish (PDF). Addressing issues associated with excavation and trenching activities such as worksite preparation, personal protective equipment, and collapse prevention. (2008, February; Spanish Translation 2009, March).
  • Horizontal Directional Drilling Best Practices for Supervisory Personnel English (PDF), Spanish (PDF). Addressing issues associated with supervision of workers who are engaged in the operation of horizontal directional drilling equipment such as pre- and post-operation procedures and safe operation considerations. (2008, February; Spanish Translation 2009, March).
  • Horizontal Directional Drilling Best Practices for Operators English (PDF), Spanish (PDF). Addressing issues associated with the operation of horizontal directional drilling equipment such as pre- and post-operation procedures and safe operation considerations. (2008, February; Spanish Translation 2009, March).
  • Excavator Operation Best Practices for Supervisory Personnel, Operators, and Workers English (PDF), Spanish (PDF). Addressing issues associated with the operation of excavation equipment such as pre- and post-operation procedures, safe operation considerations, and supervisory recommendations. (2008, February; Spanish Translation 2009, March).
  • Excavation and Trenching Best Practices for Supervisory Personnel English (PDF), Spanish (PDF). Addressing issues associated with supervision of workers who are engaged in excavation and trenching activities such as worksite preparation, personal protective equipment, and collapse prevention. (2008, February; Spanish Translation 2009, March).
  • Dozer Operation Best Practices for Supervisory Personnel and Operators English (PDF), Spanish (PDF). Addressing issues associated with the operation of dozer equipment such as pre- and post-operation procedures and safe operation considerations. (2008, February; Spanish Translation 2009, March).
  • Backhoe Operation Best Practices for Supervisory Personnel and Operators English (PDF), Spanish (PDF). Addressing issues associated with the operation of backhoe equipment such as pre- and post-operation procedures and safe operation considerations. (2008, February; Spanish Translation 2009, March).
  • Pressure Testing Best Practices for Personnel Conducting the Test English (PDF), Spanish (PDF). Addressing issues associated with pressure testing activities such as pre-test preparation, connection hazards, and worker protection. (2008, February; Spanish Translation 2009, March).
  • Pressure Testing Best Practices for Supervisory Personnel English (PDF), Spanish (PDF). Addressing issues associated with the supervision of workers who are engaged in pressure testing activities such as pre-test planning, leak testing, and test medium disposal. (2008, February; Spanish Translation 2009, March).
  • Sideboom Operation Best Practices for Supervisory Personnel, Operators, and Workers English (PDF), Spanish (PDF). Addressing issues associated with the operation of sideboom equipment such as understanding sideboom operational/equipment requirements and safe operation considerations. (2008, February; Spanish Translation 2009, March).
Toolbox Talks

2017

  • Working with Silica (PDF). APCA developed a toolbox talk for workers focusing on the hazards related to silica. (2017, April). The toolbox talk covers requirements of the final rule for construction employers and was adapted for this industry from a toolbox talk developed by the Sealant Waterproofing and Restoration Institute.

2016

  • Tool Box Safety Topic: Working in Close Proximity to Overhead Powerlines (English) (PDF). Focuses on the hazards related to working close to overhead power lines. (2010, December). This Tool Box Safety Topic is also available in Spanish (PDF) as an APCA product, which was developed outside of the Alliance Program. (Spanish translation 2016, May).

2013

  • Tool Box Safety Topic: Hazard Communication English (PDF), Spanish (PDF). Developed a toolbox talk addressing hazard communication issues such as hazardous materials written programs, material safety data sheets, respirators, and hazardous materials identification systems. (2009, October; Revised 2013, February; Spanish Translation September, 2013).

2012

  • Tool Box Safety Topic: The Spotter English (PDF), Spanish (PDF). Developed a toolbox talk addressing issues associated with the use of spotters such as when to use a spotter, equipment operator and spotter responsibilities, and hand signals. (2010, July; Spanish Translation 2012, October).
  • Tool Box Safety Topic: Excavation and Trenching English (PDF), Spanish (PDF). Developed a toolbox talk addressing issues associated with excavation and trenching activities such as cave in hazards, competent person, and occupied excavation. (2009, October; Spanish Translation 2012, October).
  • Tool Box Safety Topic: Electrical Safety English (PDF), Spanish (PDF). Developed a toolbox talk addressing issues associated with electrical safety such as the most frequent causes of electrical injuries and ground fault protection. (2009, December; Spanish Translation 2012, October).
  • Distracted Driving English (PDF) Spanish (PDF). Developed a toolbox talk on distracted driving, including the types of distractions and common distractions, such as texting. (2012, September).

2011

  • Tool Box Safety Topic: Personal Protective Equipment English (PDF), Spanish (PDF). Developed a toolbox talk addressing personal protective equipment issues such as eye protection, foot protection, and hearing protection. (2009, October; Spanish Translation 2011, February).
  • Tool Box Safety Topic: Respiratory Protection English (PDF), Spanish (PDF). Developed a toolbox talk addressing issues associated with respiratory protection such respiratory protection written programs and respirator use. (2009, October; Spanish Translation 2011, February).

2010

  • Tool Box Safety Topic: Working Around Heavy Equipment (PDF), Spanish (PDF). Developed a toolbox talk addressing issues associated with working in the "Danger Zone" around heavy equipment such as blind spots, rotating machinery, overhead hazards, and swing radius. (2010, December).
  • Tool Box Safety Topic: Bloodborne Pathogens English (PDF), Spanish (PDF). Developed a toolbox talk addressing issues associated with bloodborne pathogens such as personal protective equipment, cleaning and sanitizing the workplace, and waste handling. (2009, December; Spanish Translation 2010, December).
Safety and Health Topics Pages
Publications and Newsletters
  • Underground Construction. The pipeline contractor industry's publication, Underground Contractor, includes an article, "OSHA Signs New Alliance with APCA," that discusses the signing and goals of the OSHA/APCA Alliance. (2007, March).
Additional Resources