(a) The Congress finds that personal injuries and illnesses arising out of work situations impose a
substantial burden upon, and are a hindrance to, interstate commerce in terms of lost production,
wage loss, medical expenses, and disability compensation payments.
(b) The Congress declares it to be its purpose and policy, through the exercise of its powers to
regulate commerce among the several States and with foreign nations and to provide for the general
welfare, to assure so far as possible every working man and woman in the Nation safe and healthful
working conditions and to preserve our human resources --
(1) by encouraging employers and employees in their efforts to reduce the number of occupational
safety and health hazards at their places of employment, and to stimulate employers and employees to
institute new and to perfect existing programs for providing safe and healthful working conditions;
I. Introduction and Identification of Partners
In an effort to more fully realize the objectives of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
to provide a safe and healthful work environment for all workers engaged in the electrical
construction and maintenance industry; The Central Ohio Chapter, National Electrical Contractors
Association, Inc. (NECA) and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Unions 683 and
1105 (IBEW), an industry partnership, by this Charter enter into an agreement with the United States
Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Region V, Columbus Area Office
(OSHA).
For over 100 years NECA/IBEW labor - management partnerships have provided its respective members
and the entire construction industry with model programs designed to meet industry specific issues.
These models are as diverse as award winning Columbus State Community College credit joint training
programs for the professional development of apprentices and journeymen. The Council on Industrial
Relations which provides a means for labor and management to settle disputes without strikes or
lockouts, to multiple trust agreements to manage benefit and other industry funds. It is because of
these relationships that our business proudly bears the moniker of a “strike - proof industry”, our
issues are settled in house between peers.
The NECA/IBEW partnership is pleased to extend the hand of cooperation and consideration to the
Columbus Area OSHA Office, not only in the construction industry but in general industry as well;
once more building groundbreaking relationships and expanding the umbrella of partnership to the key
organization within the safety community.
Our organizations have enjoyed a high level of cooperation though the year, the development of a
national electrical worker safety curriculum is just one of many examples. This Charter builds on
this important foundation, and denotes a new era of labor - management - agency cooperation and
insight. And, of course, in the end meaningful increases in workplace health and safety benefits the
central Ohio electrical worker, and their employers.
Employers who perform electrical construction and maintenance contracting services within the
jurisdictional boundaries of, and are signatory to, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers,
Local Union 683 and Local Union 1105 and are a member in good standing of The Central Ohio Chapter,
National Electrical Contractors Association, Inc. shall be eligible to apply to this charter.
Figure 1 Ohio IBEW Jurisdictional Map LU 683 = 13, LU 1105 = 12 |
II. Purpose and Scope
Working as partners and associates the above parties are committed to achieve measurable, meaningful
improvements in electrical worker safety using the following blueprint:
- It is the objective to design, and build an open, and continuous communication channel between
OSHA, the NECA/IBEW partnership and participating firms. This channel will appreciate the unique
role electrical workers and their employers play in today’s construction industry and indeed society
in general.
- Actively research, share and implement the top safety and health programs for electrical workers.
This includes technology, innovations and best practices that provide measurable improvement in
electrical worker safety. These will be shared with the NECA/IBEW Charter members at the quarterly
meetings.
- Continuously develop, build and share improved, effective safety programs specifically for
electrical workers.
- With help from the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC) develop and build
improved, effective, meaningful safety training programs specific enough for our trade, yet broad
enough to be effective in every facet of our diverse industry.
- Constantly recognize and promote electrical worker safety excellence.
- Through consequential and honest communication ensure that enforcement policies and practices are
consistent, fair and effective.
- Understand that any and all parties to this Charter may withdraw from this agreement 30 days
following submission of written notification of intent to withdraw.
III. Goals, Strategies and Measures
| GOALS |
STRATEGIES |
MEASURES |
- Decrease in the participating employee injury illness rate over the life of the Charter.
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- Increase implementation of effective safety and health program through training,
self-inspections, use of NFPA 70e Electrical Safe Work practices
and employee involvement.
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- Comparison of DART injury/illness rate to the most recently published BLS data.
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- Increased accessibility to quality safety training and education, thereby raising safety
awareness for both employee and employer.
|
- Provide quarterly meeting for Charter participants and stakeholders
- Collect local accident and near-miss data.
- The use of on the job tool box talks appropriate to the project will be encouraged
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- Document quarterly meetings
- Use the collected data to focus training efforts in a meaningful manner to empirically
identified topics.
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- All parties will work to promote and encourage new members
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- Charter will be promoted at industry events and functions.
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- Track the number of new employers who apply to this Charter.
- Track the number of new employers who become members of this charter
|
These outcomes will be obtained using the following methods:
- Adopt an industry standard checklist designed to exceed OSHA requirements that will be required to
be used when working energized circuits. This policy will be based on the most recent National Fire
Protection Association® (NFPA®) 70e Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee
Workplaces which can be found in Appendix A of this partnership.
- Part II, Appendix C of this standard provides a typical description of Electrical Safety Programs
that are built around NFPA 70e. To quote:
C-1 Typical Electrical Safety Program Principles. Electrical
safety program principles can include, but are not limited to, the following:
(a) Inspect/evaluate the electrical equipment
(b) Maintain the electrical equipment’s insulation and enclosure integrity
(c) Plan every job and document first-time procedures
(d) De-energize, if possible (see 2-1.1.3)
(e) Anticipate unexpected events
(f) Identify and minimize the hazard
(g) Protect the employee from shock, burn, and blast, and other hazards that are due to the working
environment
(h) Use the right tools for the job
(i) Assess people’s abilities
(j) Audit these principles
C-2 Typical Electrical Safety Program Controls. Electrical
safety program controls can include, but are not limited to, the following:
(a) Every electrical conductor or circuit part is considered energized until proven otherwise.
(b) No bare-hand contact is to be made with exposed energized electrical conductors or circuit parts
above 50 volts to ground, unless the “bare-hand method” is properly used.
(c) De-energizing an electrical conductor or circuit part and making it safe to work on is in itself
a potentially hazardous task.
(d) Employer develops programs, including training, and employees apply them.
(e) Use procedures as “tools” to identify the hazards and develop plans to eliminate/control the
hazards.
(f) Train employees to qualify them for working in an environment influenced by the presence of
electrical energy.
(g) Identify/categorize tasks to be preformed on or near exposed energized electrical conductors and
circuit parts.
(h) Use a logical approach to determine potential hazard of task.
(i) Identify and use precautions appropriate to the working environment.
C-3 Typical Electrical safety program Procedures. Electrical safety
program procedures can include, but are not limited to, the following:
(a) Purpose of task
(b) Qualifications and number of employees to be involved
(c) Hazardous nature and extent of task
(d) Limits of approach
(e) Safe work practices to be utilized
(f) Personal protective equipment involved
(g) Insulating materials and tools involved
(h) Special precautionary techniques
(i) Electrical diagrams
(j) Equipment details
(k) Sketches/pictures of unique features
(l) Reference data
- Mandatory OSHA 10 hour courses for all field employees and mandatory OSHA 30 hour courses for all
field supervisors. All employees will receive refresher courses every three years.
- Site specific safety training for new hires.
- Regular safety program third party audits.
- Quarterly meetings discussing best industry practices.
All parties will be consulted on a continuing basis for feedback to assess the progression and
potential amelioration of these goals.
IV. Performance Measures
- The measurement system will use OSHA recordable fatalities and accidents identified.
- Activity measures shall include:
- The applicable number of employers, supervisors, and employees trained.
- Number of job safety analyses conducted.
- Number of work-site audits.
- Increased employee involvement.
- Enhanced communication between management and employees.
- Outcome measures will be gathered on an annual basis and will be comprised of data analyzing the
number of hours worked, number of injuries, illnesses, and fatalities during
the baseline year.
- All Participants will monitor and submit an Incident Worksheet on all accident and near-misses.
Forms will be submitted to the NECA office on quarterly basis utilizing the worksheet found in
Appendix B. All information will remain confidential as to company name and employee. The only
purpose of this data is to assess performance and to target specific training requirements.
V. Annual Evaluation
The annual evaluation shall use the Strategic Partnership Annual Evaluation Format measurement
system as specified in Appendix C of CSC 03-02-002, OSHA Strategic Partnership Program for Worker
Safety and Health Directive.
All data for the annual evaluation shall be submitted to the NECA/IBEW partnership no later than
August 15th of each year.
New applications and re-certifications shall be submitted by June15th to be considered for the
upcoming year. Applications turned in past the June 15th deadline will not be considered for the
partnership.
It will be the responsibility of the NECA/IBEW partnership to gather participant data to evaluate
and track the overall results and success of the Charter. Data collected will be given to OSHA as
well.
The OSHA liaison will use the collected data to write the annual evaluation and submit to the Area
Director. The final draft will be made available to the NECA/IBEW partnership
VI. NECA/IBEW Partnership Management and Operation
Representative(s) from the NECA/IBEW partnership will administer this program as outlined herein and
will serve as the primary safety resource, supporting the participating employers and employees. To
fulfill this Charter the NECA/IBEW partnership will also provide the following services:
- Act as a liaison for NECA/IBEW members with OSHA. Members will be able to call the NECA/IBEW
Partnership with questions and the NECA/IBEW Partnership will contact OSHA for responses, if
required. The OSHA primary contact will be appointed by the OSHA Area Director and the NECA/IBEW
Partnership will be notified in writing.
- In concert with The Electrical Trades Center, offer ongoing, quality training on topics of
importance for members - specifically the focused areas of fall protection, electrical hazards,
trenching, etc.
- Provide up-to-date informational materials and brochures to NECA/IBEW Partnership members (from
OSHA, OSHA Ohio On-Site Consultation Service, the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) and other
appropriate organizations).
- Organize and provide to participating employers OSHA’s interpretations of major standards, as
well as local inspection perspectives.
- Develop and build written safety and health policies and programs for participating employers,
including emphasis on employer/employee responsibilities.
- Promote construction safety excellence through an annual NECA/IBEW Partnership Safety Recognition
Program.
- Administer the overall Charter, including but not limited to the initial evaluation of potential
participating employer applications to determine whether the firm meets the criteria specified
within the Charter. Information considered by the NECA/IBEW Partnership will include pertinent
company information as referenced in Section VII (demonstrated safety and health program, training
commitments, OSHA citation history, fatalities, injury/illness experience and similar factors). Any
and all information garnered by the NECA/IBEW partnership will be held with the greatest
confidentiality.
- Notify OSHA on a regular and recurring basis with the name(s) of contractors which have met the
partnership criteria.
- Conduct periodic audits to determine the impact and effectiveness of this partnership with OSHA.
- A representative(s) from the NECA/IBEW Partnership and a representative(s) from OSHA together
will conduct random on-site verification of 10 percent or more of participating employers, to ensure
that participating employers are fulfilling their commitment to the partnership. During these on
site evaluations, if an OSHA representative observes serious hazards these hazards will be addressed
in a comprehensive and systematic manner, which may include citations.
- If necessary, terminate employers from the partnership, if findings indicate unacceptable
performance or submission of falsified documentation. (Note: At the discretion of the NECA/IBEW
Partnership and OSHA a participating employer may be permitted to correct deficiencies within 30
days of notification and apply to the NECA/IBEW Partnership for continued recognition as a partner
in good standing before termination would take effect.)
- Although providing mandatory fall protection at the 6’ level is not required by the current OSHA
construction standards and is not mandated by OSHA as a requirement for participation in any OSHA
partnership agreement, the contractors on this partnership are committed to providing a greater
level of protection to the employees working at this site and will require protection at the 6’
level and above.
OSHA and the NECA/IBEW Partnership have the discretion to jointly veto employers from participating
for just cause. The OSHA Area Director has the discretion to unilaterally veto employers from
participating in this Charter, for just cause upon providing notification and explanation to the
NECA/IBEW Partnership.
VII. OSHA’s Commitment/Role
Upon acceptance into this program, OSHA will provide the following initiatives and benefits to
participating employers:
- OSHA will conduct quarterly meetings with the NECA/IBEW partnership and participating employers,
to provide information on “what’s hot” and to answer general and specific questions. Additionally
these meetings will serve as evaluation sessions as provided in Section IX.
- Participating employers will not be cited for other-than-serious items that are fixed “on the
spot”.
- Unplanned inspections will occur only for imminent danger, national emphasis programs, local
emphasis programs, fatalities/catastrophes or signed complaints (all other complaints will go
through the phone/fax process).
- Formal complaints will be handled by the phone/fax process, if the complainant agrees.
- For inspections resulting from formal complaints, the inspection will only address the complaint
item and those in plain view.
- Participating employers will receive the maximum allowable good-faith discount (35%).
- The OSHA Area Director will meet with participating employers to address their role in the
partnership.
- During inspections, if minor (ex: missing midrail) problems are found; OSHA may review the
participating employer’s records and provide limited on-site training as needed.
VIII. Participating Employer Verification
To become and take full advantage of participating employer status, a firm must:
- Must submit application and be willing to submit documents to the NECA/IBEW Partnership for
review by OSHA (such as the OSHA Log 300 and the company’s safety program).
- In Ohio, must not have had willful or repeat violations in the last three years. Nationwide, must
not have had serious violations that resulted in a fatally(s) or catastrophe(s).
- Must have a written safety and health program that complies with ANSI A-10.38 recommendations or
OSHA’s 1989 Voluntary Guidelines. The program must include active employee involvement.
- All new field employees must receive site-specific training before beginning work. And receive at
least a 2-hour safety orientation within the first week of hire. Topics for the orientation must
include fall protection, electrical, struck-by, trenching/caught-between and personal protective
equipment.
- Within a year, all field employees must attend an OSHA 10-Hour Training Course. Field employees
must receive refresher training in the 10-Hour Course every three years.
- Within a year, all field supervisors must attend an OSHA 30-Hour Training Course. Field
supervisors must receive refresher training in the 30-Hour Course every three years.
- Note: A supervisor is defined as someone who directs/controls work.
- Must have a Days Away Restricted and Transfer (DART) rate for work in Ohio at least 25 percent
below the BLS national average for the company’s North American Industry Classification Code
(NAICS).
- The company will submit individual DART rates for the past three years, and will be evaluated on
a three-year average.
- If a company fulfills all other requirements, but does not have a qualifying DART, it may appeal
for inclusion in the partnership. OSHA and the NECA/IBEW partnership will review these appeals on a
case by case basis, and may allow the company to participate if the improvement can be shown.
- Must show evidence that both employees and supervisors are held accountable for safety.
- Allow OSHA access to sites for inspection, if the employer has the authority to allow an
inspection of the site. OSHA will follow the guidelines for inspections as outlined in the Field
Inspection Reference Manual (FIRM).
- The participating employers recognize that OSHA implements Local Emphasis Programs (LEP) and
National Emphasis Programs (NEP) to better manage specified hazards. These specific programs will
involve inspections. The NECA/IBEW Partnership will be informed by OSHA of all LEP’s and NEP’s and
will pass this information to all participating employers.
- Must participate in a site audit by an outside, independent source approved by the NECA/IBEW
partnership. The audit must include an action plan to prevent future hazards, as well as methods to
abate current hazards. These audits will be made available to OSHA upon request.
- All work on energized circuits will be performed under an industry standard permit policy to be
developed and built in accordance with the current National Fire Protection Association publication
70e. This policy will cover hazard/risk evaluation, and procedures including protective barriers and
shields, communication, insulated tools and equipment, and personal protective equipment.
- Must be a member in good standing of the National Electrical Contractors Association.
IX. Employer/Employee Rights
This partnership does not preclude employees and/or employers from exercising any right provided
under the OSH Act (or federal employees, 29 CFR 1960), nor does it abrogate any responsibility to
comply with rules and regulations adopted pursuant to the Act.
Routine employee involvement in the day to day implementation of worksite safety and health programs
is expected to be assured, including employee participation in employer self-audits, site
inspections, job hazard analysis, safety and health program reviews and near miss investigations.
X. Termination of this Charter
Any party may withdraw from this Charter by providing written notification to the other parties.
Termination will be effective 30 days after receipt of said notification. Furthermore an individual
participating employer may withdraw from this agreement by providing written notification to the
NECA/IBEW partnership and OSHA, termination shall be effective 30 days after receipt of
notification.
An individual participating employer’s violation of this Charter shall not be grounds for OSHA to
terminate this Charter.
The NECA/IBEW partnership and OSHA may terminate an individual employer from the partnership if the
employer fails to meet the qualifications or otherwise violates the terms and conditions of this
Charter.
Any party may propose modification or amendment to this Charter subject to concurrence by the every
other party to the Charter.
Unless modified or superseded this Charter will remain in effect until 31st day of July, 2008
Agreed this 28th day of July, 2006
Deborah Zubaty
Area Director
U.S. Department of Labor OSHA
Columbus Area Office |
Mario Ciardelli
Business Manager, Financial Secretary
Local Union 683, IBEW
Columbus, Ohio |
Brian Damant
Chapter Manager
Central Ohio Chapter, NECA, Inc.
Columbus, Ohio |
William Hamilton
Business Manager, Financial Secretary
Local Union 1105, IBEW
Newark, Ohio |
|
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