OSHA and Graphic Arts Coalition (GAC) Alliance Close-Out Report

On June 18, 2002 and July 10, 2002, OSHA and Graphic Arts Coalition (GAC) signed an Alliance to provide GAC's members, and others, with information, guidance, and access to training resources to help them protect employees' health and safety, particularly in addressing ergonomics, hazard communication, machine guarding and lockout/tagout issues. The GAC signatories are:

Envelope Manufacturers Association (EMA) until February 9, 2004
Flexographic Technical Association (FTA)
Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF)
Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA)
Gravure Association of America (GAA) since February 9, 2004

The Alliance was renewed on February 9, 2004 and July 31, 2006.

Because the OSHA and GAC Alliance has achieved its goals, the organizations agreed to conclude the Alliance as of June 18, 2008. A number of successes resulted from the agreement including:

Members of the GAC provided OSHA with their expertise during the agency's development of the Printing Industry Safety and Health Topics page on OSHA's Web site. The Topics page provides the public with numerous resources and information relevant to the industry.
Members of the GAC provided OSHA with their expertise during the agency's development of the Ergonomics in the Printing Industry eTool including the Lithography, Flexography and Screen Printing modules on OSHA's Web site.
FTA, and a number of other Alliance Program participants, helped support the 2007 and 2008 North American Occupational Safety and Health (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.
Through the OSHA and GAC Alliance, OSHA worked with Ritrama to develop the case study "Ritrama Invests in Safety and Improves Its Bottom Line" which describes the success of the company's safety and health program. Ritrama is a member of PIA/GATF and is a manufacturer of pressure sensitive films and labels in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
On March 11, 2008, Jeffry S. Carter, Deputy Commissioner of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration State of Indiana, presented "Electrical Safety and 70E" to OSHA's electrical standard to 300 printing industry safety and health professionals at the National Environmental, Health and Safety Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana.
On March 12, 2007, Joe Roesler, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region IV, Jacksonville, Florida Area Office, USDOL-OSHA, presented "Introduction to OSHA for Printers" at the National Environmental, Health and Safety Conference in Jacksonville, Florida. The presentation was based upon OSHA's "Introduction to OSHA for Small Business" Short Course. In addition, he staffed an Alliance Program exhibit booth and distributed information about the OSHA and GAC Alliance.

Report Prepared by: Adam Brumbergs, Research Assistant, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, June 10, 2008.