Alliance Program Forum Meeting Notes

April 4, 2019

Representatives of the following organizations participated in the April 4, 2019 Alliance Program Forum:

During the April 4, 2019 meeting, Doug Kalinowski, Director, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs (DCSP), welcomed the group and thanked them for their support of OSHA's Safe + Sound Campaign and the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls. Scott Ketcham, Director, Directorate of Construction (DOC), provided an update on the 2019 National Safety Stand-Down Week, OSHA’s agency priority goal (AGP) to reduce trenching and excavation hazards, and OSHA's top 10 violations in the construction industry. Frank Hearl, Chief of Staff, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provided information on their programs, including surveillance and health hazard evaluations, mission and resources, and the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA). He also discussed NIOSH information resources and tools, including free applications (apps). Maureen Ruskin, Deputy Director, Directorate of Standards and Guidance (DSG) provided an in-depth review of the Safe + Sound Campaign, as well as updates on the silica and beryllium rules, and OSHA’s regulatory agenda. Next, Anthony Rosa, Deputy Director, Directorate of Whistleblower Protection Programs (DWPP), provided a brief overview of their program, initiatives, and outreach materials and events. Krisann Pearce, Chief Of Staff, OSHA, thanked the group for their support of OSHA’s Alliance Programs, initiatives, and national outreach campaigns. She also provided an update on the agency's current direction, activities, and major initiatives. This was followed by a session where several attendees provided Alliance Program participant-related updates, along with a networking event in a more casual atmosphere to promote further informal engagement with and between participants. Art Buchanan, Director, Directorate of Enforcement Programs (DEP) - Office of General Industry and Agricultural Enforcement, provided an overview of the top 10 violations in both general industry and construction. Lastly, Tina Jones, Director, DCSP-Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, provided an overview of activities to date within the office, and discussed some key elements identified in a potential Alliance Program directive revision expected out this summer/fall.

May 3, 2018

Representatives of the following organizations participated in the May 3, 2018 Alliance Program Forum:

During the meeting, Arlene Williams, Acting Deputy Director, DCSP, USDOL-OSHA, welcomed the group and thanked them for their support of OSHA's Safe + Sound Campaign and the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction. The Directorate of Construction (DOC) provided an update on the 2018 National Safety Stand-Down Week, as well as provided information on construction workplace injuries and fatalities, and information on OSHA's top 10 violations in the construction industry. DOC also announced a new agency initiative focusing on reducing trenching and excavation hazards. The Directorate of Standards and Guidance provided an overview of the Safe + Sound Campaign and thanked the group for their support. The Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management provided an overview of the new OSHA recordkeeping rule. OSHA's Directorate of Enforcement Programs provided an overview of the top 10 violations in both general industry and construction. In addition, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provided information on their National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA), updated strategic plan, as well as provided examples of outreach resources and products, including free apps. Loren Sweatt, Deputy Assistant Secretary, OSHA, thanked the group for their support of the Alliance Program and provided an overview of the agency's current direction, activities, and major initiatives, including information on the silica and beryllium rules. Lastly, the attendees provided Alliance Program participant-related updates focusing on their respective projects and activities, including their respective support for the agency's outreach initiatives, including Safe + Sound Week and the OSHA falls campaign.