On August 16, 2004, OSHA and SMACNA formed an Alliance to focus on providing
the organization's members and others in the sheet metal and air conditioning construction contracting
industries, including small businesses, with information, guidance, and access to training resources
to help protect employees' health and safety. The Alliance particularly focused on motor vehicle safety,
fall protection and personal protective equipment with an emphasis on cuts and eye injuries, and
reducing and preventing exposure to amputation and welding hazards.
Because SMACNA has decided to focus on other projects and priorities, OSHA and SMACNA agreed to
conclude the Alliance as of August 16, 2007. Through the organizations work together to meet the
agreements' goals, a number of successes resulted from the Alliance, including:
- On May 6-12, 2007, SMACNA participated in the 2007 North American Occupational Safety and
Health Week activities, sponsored annually by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), 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.
- On December 5, 2006, Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., Assistant Secretary, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation
on the
OSHA Alliance Program at the SMACNA Council of Chapter Representatives Meeting in South
Beach, Florida.
- On October 8-12, 2006, SMACNA held its Annual Convention in Phoenix, Arizona, where
representatives from the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health and OSHA Region IX
staffed the Alliance Program exhibit booth during the conference.
- On December 6, 2005, Mike McCullion, Director, Safety and Health, SMACNA, made a presentation
to 100 attendees about the OSHA and SMACNA Alliance at the SMACNA Council of Chapter
Representatives annual meeting.
- On July 8, 2004, SMACNA representatives attended the Alliance Program Construction Roundtable
in Washington, D.C. The Roundtable brought together representatives from 15 construction-related
Alliances to share information on safety and health issues such as fall protection, electrical
hazards and ergonomics and to discuss ways of working together on Alliance-related projects. As a
result of the Roundtable, a SMACNA representative participated on the Construction Roundtable's
Fall Protection Workgroup, which has developed a number of products including the “Fall Hazard
Awareness for the Construction Industry” training course.
- Through the OSHA and SMACNA Alliance, SMACNA developed the Construction Vehicle and Service
Vehicle Safety Card that provides pre-use inspection checklists for the vehicle operator and tips
on how to safely operate both construction and service vehicles.
- A representative from the association served on OSHA's Motor Vehicle Safety and Health Topics
page's Editorial Board.
Report prepared by: Blair Lapres, Research Assistant, Office of Outreach
Services and Alliances, July 24, 2007
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