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ALLIANCE ANNUAL REPORT

Occupational Safety and Health Administration
and the
Graphics Arts Coalition
July 31, 2007

I. Alliance Background

Date Signed

June 18, 2002 and July 1, 2002

Date Renewed

February 9, 2004; July 31, 2006

Evaluation Period

June 18, 2006 through June 17, 2007

Overview

The Graphic Arts Coalition (GAC) is comprised of the four following associations:
  • Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF)
  • Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA)
  • Flexographic Technical Association (FTA)
  • Gravure Association of America (GAA)
Through the Alliance, OSHA and the organizations are providing GAC 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.

Implementation Team Members:

 
OSHA:  
   
Brett Besser
Cathy Cronin
Kimberly Greenberg
Lisa Ramber**
Beth Sherfy*
Patrick Showalter
Rob Swick***
Salt Lake Technical Center (SLTC)
Office of Training and Education (OTE)
Office of Small Business Assistance (OSBA)
Office of Outreach Services and Alliances (OOSA)
OOSA
OSBA
OOSA
   
GAC:  
   
Rick Hartwig
Gary Jones
Marcia Kinter
Jim Kyger
Doreen Monteleone
Marisabel Torres
PIA/GATF
PIA/GATF
SGIA
PIA/GATF
FTA
SGIA

* Beth Sherfy served as the Alliance Coordinator until November 1, 2006
** Lisa Ramber served as the Alliance Coordinator from November 1, 2006 to January 8, 2007
*** Rob Swick serves as the Alliance Coordinator since January 8, 2007

II. Implementation Team Meetings

 
June 22, 2006
September 6, 2006
October 3, 2006
October 25, 2006

February 1, 2007
February 2, 2007
May 30, 2007
Implementation Team Meeting
Meeting to Revise OSHA's "Introduction to OSHA for Small Business" Short Course
Implementation Team Meeting
Alliance Program Promoting the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification an Labeling of Chemicals Workgroup
OSHA Small Business Roundtable
Implementation Team Meeting
Implementation Team Meeting

III. Results
  1. Events and Products

    Outreach and Communication Goal


    • Work with OSHA to provide expertise in developing information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and to provide expertise in developing ways of communicating such information (e.g. print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools and OSHA's and the GAC's Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry.
    Products

    Printing Industry Safety and Health Topics Page


    The OSHA and GAC Alliance is continuing to maintain OSHA's Printing Industry Safety and Health Topics page. The page provides numerous resources that have information relevant to the flexography, gravure, lithography and screen printing segments of the printing industry. The following members of the OSHA and GAC Alliance serve on its editorial board and provide an ongoing review of the Topics page:

    • Rick Hartwig (PIA/GATF)
    • Gary Jones PIA/GATF)
    • Marcia Kinter (SGIA)
    • Doreen Monteleone (FTA)
    • Lisa Ramber (OOSA)
    • Bill Sunter (GAA)
    Ergonomics in the Printing Industry eTool

    The Alliance implementation team members provided input into the development of OSHA's Ergonomics in the Printing Industry eTool – Flexography Module, launched on August 28, 2006. The Flexography Module identifies potential hazards and possible solutions found in flexography printing process addressing pre-press, press and post-press activities. In addition the Alliance implementation team members provided input into the development of OSHA's Ergonomics in the Printing Industry eTool – Screen Printing Module, launched on October 25, 2006. The Screen Printing Module describes possible hazards and potential solutions found in the screen printing process addressing pre-press, press, post-press and materials handling activities.

    OSHA and GAC Alliance Web page

    OSHA maintains an OSHA and GAC Alliance Web page on the Agency's Web site. The Web page includes links to the OSHA and GAC Alliance agreement and renewal agreements, news releases, annual reports, and milestones and successes. The OSHA and GAC Alliance Web page also links to OSHA's Printing Industry Safety and Health Topics page, industry conferences, articles and other resources. During the reporting period, information about speeches and OSHA's Ergonomics in the Printing Industry eTool – Flexography and Screen Printing Modules were added to the OSHA and GAC Alliance Web page. For information on the number of visits to the OSHA and GAC Alliance Web page, please see the Alliance Program Reach table.

    PIA/GATF's Alliance-related Web page

    PIA/GATF maintains an Alliance-related Web page on the association's Web site. It includes information about the OSHA and GAC Alliance, links to OSHA's Web site, OSHA-developed articles and other safety and health materials.

    Print and Electronic Media

    Articles about the OSHA and GAC Alliance have appeared in a number of print and online publications, including: Occupational Hazards Magazine, FTA's EHS Direct eNewsletter, as well as OSHA's News Releases, QuickTakes and Alliance Quarterly Review. In addition, David Lanska published his book Common-Sense Flexography through PIA/GATF Press. In Common-Sense Flexography's Chapter - Pressroom Safety is No Accident, under the subtitle Ergonomics & Lifting Issues, the book mentions the OSHA eTool on the agency's Web site and provides a link to it. For more information on the articles, please see the Alliance Program Reach table and Appendix B.

    • Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or GAC's conferences, local meetings, or other events.
    Events

    2007 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week May 6-12, 2007


    FTA and a number of other Alliance Program participants supported 2007 NAOSH Week: "All Modes of Transportation." 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. FTA distributed ASSE's Be Safe at Work – Celebrate NAOSH Week posters at the National Environmental Health & Safety Conference, held March 10-14, 2007, and the INFO*FLEX Exhibition, held May 6-9, 2007.

    National Environmental, Health & Safety Conference '07 for the Graphic Communications Industries, March 12–14, 2007, Jacksonville, Florida

    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 Conference. 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 March 12–14, 2007.

    SGIA's Basic Screenmaking Workshops, June 29-30, 2006 and August 7-11, 2006, Alexandria, Virginia

    Marci Kinter, Vice President – Government and Business Information, SGIA discussed the OSHA and GAC Alliance during SGIA's Basic Screenmaking Workshops on June 29-30, 2006 and August 7-11, 2006.

    • Promote and encourage GAC members' or worksites' participation in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP), and the Consultation Program and its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).
    PIA/GATF Presentations

    During the Alliance's reporting period, June 18, 2006, to June 17, 2007, Gary Jones, Manager, Environmental, Health and Safety Affairs, PIA/GATF, gave a presentation on ergonomics, "Ergonomics Regulation Update and Printing Industry Response," and the Alliance Program to a number of groups reaching more than 1060 people. For more information, see Appendix A.

    FTA's EHS Direct Newsletter

    During the Alliance's reporting period, June 18, 2006, to June 17, 2007, the Flexographic Technical Association printed dozens of articles in its EHS Direct Newsletter providing information about OSHA and the Alliance Program. For more information, see Appendix B.

    Events

    Promoting the National Dialogue on Workplace Safety and Health Goals


    • Develop and disseminate case studies illustrating the business value of safety and health and publicize their results.
    Products

    "Ritrama Invests in Safety and Improves its Bottom Line" Case Study


    Through the OSHA and GAC Alliance, OSHA worked with Ritrama to develop the case study "Ritrama Invests in Safety and Improves Its Bottom Line." The study details how Ritrama designed and implemented a safety and health program to educate the company's managers, supervisors and employees about safe work practices and company-specific procedures at its manufacturing plant in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As a result of the program, the company reduced its workers' compensation premiums, increased productivity and product quality, and improved its employee recruitment and retention. The study was posted on the OSHA and GAC Web page on the Agency's Web site in June 2007 and can be found here.

    • Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on ergonomics, hazard communication, machine guarding and lockout/tagout issues to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.
    Events

    OSHA Small Business Roundtable, February 1, 2007, Washington, DC

    On February 1, 2007, Marisabel Torres, Manager, Government Affairs, SGIA, and representatives from five Alliances, OSHA and the On-site Consultation Program participated in the OSHA Small Business Roundtable. During the meeting, the Alliance Program participants were updated on the status of the recommendations to enhance small business compliance assistance activities and resources that they provided during the September 8, 2005 Roundtable meeting. The Roundtable also reviewed new training resources that were developed by the Florida On-site Consultation Program and OSHA Training Institute.

    Promoting the Globally Harmonized System for the Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) Workgroup, October 25, 2006, Washington, DC

    Marisabel Torres, Manager, Government Affairs, SGIA; James Coates, HR Research Associate, PIA/GATF; and Jim Kyger, Director, Human Relations HR Research, PIA/GATF, participated in the October 25, 2006 Alliance Program Hazard Communication Roundtable's Promoting the GHS Workgroup meeting, in Washington, DC. During the Workgroup meeting, representatives from 15 Alliance Program participants identified compliance assistance tools and products to educate the public, particularly small businesses, about the GHS. They also provided recommendations on the target audiences, subjects and formats of and methods for distributing the information. The meeting was held as a follow-up to the February 15, 2005 Alliance Program Hazard Communication Roundtable and the August 1, 2005 Promoting the Globally Harmonized System for the Classification and Labeling of Chemicals Workgroup meeting.

  2. Executive Summary

    Over the past year, the OSHA and GAC Alliance engaged in many projects to provide GAC members and others with information, guidance and access to training resources to help protect employees' health and safety, particularly by addressing ergonomics, hazard communication, machine guarding and lockout/tagout issues.

    For example, GAC members continued to serve on OSHA's Printing Industry Safety and Health Topics page's editorial board, providing expert input on an ongoing basis to OSHA to help maintain the page. In addition, the Alliance implementation team provided expertise and information during the development of OSHA's Printing Industry Ergonomics eTool – Flexography and Screen Printing Modules, which were posted on OSHA's Web site in 2006. The eTool describes possible hazards and potential solutions found in the screen printing process addressing prepress, press, post-press and materials handling activities.

    The OSHA and GAC Alliance implementation team helped to maintain the OSHA and GAC Alliance Web page on OSHA's Web site. In addition, PIA/GATF maintained an Alliance-related Web page on the association's Web site. It includes information about the OSHA and GAC Alliance, links to OSHA's Web site, OSHA-developed articles and other safety and health information.

    The OSHA and GAC Alliance also took advantage of many speaking and exhibiting opportunities to reach the printing industry. For example, Marci Kinter, Vice President – Government and Business Information, SGIA discussed the OSHA and GAC Alliance during SGIA's Basic Screenmaking Workshops on June 29-30, 2006 and August 7-11, 2006.

    In addition, 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 & Safety Conference '07 for the Graphic Communications Industries. He also staffed an Alliance Program exhibit booth and distributed and OSHA and GAC Alliance Activities Summary and other OSHA compliance assistance publications.

    GAC members worked with other Alliance Program participants on projects to address the Alliance's goals. Marisabel Torres, Manager, Government Affairs, SGIA, James Coates, PIA/GATF, Jim Kyger, PIA/GATF participated in the Alliance Program's Promoting the GHS Workgroup meeting October 25, 2006, in Washington, DC. The GAC contingent and other Alliance Program participants identified compliance assistance resources and activities that could be developed to educate the public about the GHS. Moreover Marisabel Torres participated in the Small Business Roundtable on February 1, 2007 in Washington, D.C. Marisabel and other Alliance Program participants were updated on the status of the recommendations to enhance small business compliance assistance activities and resources that they provided during the September 8, 2005 Roundtable meeting, as well as reviewed new training resources that were developed by the Florida On-site Consultation Program and OSHA Training Institute.

    The Alliance also used the print media to promote the Program and OSHA's compliance assistance resources and other cooperative programs. Announcements about Alliance activities were routinely published in FTA's EHS Direct eNewsletter (see Appendix B).

  3. Alliance Program Reach
Type of Activity (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.) Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
OSHA and GAC Alliance Web page on OSHA's Web site 7,405
OSHA Printing Industry Safety and Health Topics Page 24,534
OSHA Ergonomics in the Printing Industry eTool 21,252
OSHA and Ritrama Case Study 6,492
PIA/GATF/OSHA Alliance Web Page Data Not Available
June 29-30, 2006: SGIA's Basic Screenmaking Workshops, Alexandria, Virginia

Speaker: Marci Kinter, Vice President – Government and Business, SGIA
10
August 7-11, 2006: SGIA's Basic Screenmaking Workshops, Alexandria, Virginia

Speaker: Marci Kinter, Vice President – Government and Business, SGIA
10
March 12, 2007: National Environmental, Health & Safety Conference '07 for the Graphic Communications Industries, Jacksonville, Florida, "Introduction to OSHA for Printers"

Speaker: Joe Roesler, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region IV, Jacksonville, Florida Area Office, USDOL-OSHA
150
July 27, 2006: "SGIA & Industry Partners Renew OSHA Alliance," Piranha Daily News Data Not Available
July 27, 2006: "SGIA & Industry Partners Renew OSHA Alliance," SGIA News Data Not Available
July 27, 2006: "SGIA & Industry Partners Renew OSHA Alliance," Sign Industry News Data Not Available
July 27, 2006: "SGIA and Partners Renew OSHA Alliance," Screen Web Data Not Available
August 2, 2006: "SGIA and Industry Partners Renew OSHA Alliance," Printing News Data Not Available
August 4, 2006: "SGIA & Industry Partners Renew OSHA Alliance," Signshop Network Data Not Available
August 28, 2006: "OSHA Adds Flexography Module to Printing Industry Ergonomics eTool,"
OSHA Trade news release
69 News Services
August 29, 2006: "OSHA Launches eTool for Flexography Printing," Facility Safety Management Data Not Available
August 30, 2006: "OSHA Adds Flexography Module to Printing Industry Ergonomics eTool," Usernomics Data Not Available
August 31, 2006: "OSHA Launches Flexography Module as Part of Ergonomics eTool," Occupational Hazards Magazine Data Not Available
August 31, 2006: "SGIA & Industry Partners Renew OSHA Alliance," Wide Format Imaging News Update Data Not Available
August 31, 2006: "New eTool From OSHA For Flexographers: OSHA Adds Flexography Module to Printing Industry Ergonomics eTool in Alliance with the Graphic Arts Coalition," Print on Demand News Data Not Available
September 1, 2006: Flexography Module Added to Printing Industry Ergonomics eTool," QuickTakes 55,226
September 5, 2006: "Tip of the Week," Occupational Health & Safety Magazine Data Not Available
September 2006: "Flexography industry ergonomic issues focus of new eTool module," Alliance Quarterly Review 300
October 4, 2006: "Latest OSHA Alliance Activity," News for OSC Data Not Available
October 10, 2006: "OSHA, Graphics Arts Coalition Continue Alliance," OSHA News Brief 69 News Services
October 12, 2006: "OSHA Announces Renewal of Health Safety Alliances with Six Organizations," BNA Occupational Safety and Health Reporter Data Not Available
November 1, 2006: "Screen Printing Module Added to Printing Industry Ergonomics eTool," QuickTakes 55,226
November 1, 2006: "Screen Printing Module Added to Printing Industry Ergonomics eTool," EHSSuite Data Not Available
November 20, 2006: "OSHA Adds Screen Printing Module to Printing Industry Ergonomics eTool," OSHA Trade News Release 69 News Services
November 27, 2006: "OSHA Adds Screen Printing Module to Printing Industry Ergonomics eTool," Occupational Health & Safety Magazine Data Not Available
November 27, 2006: "OSHA Adds Screen Printing Module to Printing Industry Ergonomics eTool," EMS Insurance Companies Safety News Data Not Available
December 2006: "OSHA Alliances," OSHA Up To Date Data Not Available
January 2007: "Ergonomics in the Printing Industry - New OSHA eTool," SAF-T-GARDIAN Newsletter Data Not Available
June 2007: "Company improves job safety and health: reduces employees' injuries, illnesses Alliance Program case study reveals process, tactics," Alliance Quarterly Review 300
TOTAL 170,905

IV. Upcoming Milestones

During the next reporting period, the OSHA and GAC Alliance implementation team will develop fact sheets that address machine guarding and preventing amputations. The Alliance also will develop a case study, "Midland Information Resources," which details Midland's implementation of a safety and health program and the benefits derived therefrom. The Alliance implementation team will also review and update, as necessary, OSHA's Printing Industry Safety and Health Topics page and Ergonomics in the Printing Industry eTool.

The Alliance implementation team has also identified a number of opportunities to reach out to the printing industry's employers and employees regarding workplace safety and health through speeches, exhibits, publications or their associations' Web sites. OSHA will provide copies of the Alliance Activities Summary and other OSHA compliance assistance publications for distribution at GAC members' events including SGIA '07 -- The Specialty Printing & Imaging Technology Expo, 2008 National Environmental Health & Safety Conference, and INFO*FLEX 2008 Exhibition. The team members will also identify opportunities to publish articles developed by OSHA, on topics such as OSHA's electronic resources or the business case for safety and health, in their associations' newsletters and magazines and on their Web sites.

Report prepared by: Rob Swick, Program Analyst, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, July 31, 2007.


 
OSHA and GAC Alliance Annual Report
Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Graphic Arts Coalition
July 31, 2007

Appendix A
 
Presentations by Gary Jones
June 18, 2006, to June 17, 2007
Event Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
6/19/2006: Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology, Chicago, IL

Speaker: Gary Jones, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Affairs, PIA/GATF
32
10/12/2006: PIANY State Annual EHS Program, Batavia, NY

Speaker: Gary Jones, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Affairs, PIA/GATF
30
10/13/2007 PIANY State Annual EHS Program, Albany, NY

Speaker: Gary Jones, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Affairs, PIA/GATF
7
11/5/2006: UV Workshop, Pittsburgh, PA

Speaker: Gary Jones, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Affairs, PIA/GATF
20
11/8/2006: NAA's EPA/OSAH Update Webinar, Pittsburgh, PA

Speaker: Gary Jones, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Affairs, PIA/GATF
13
11/9/2006: Printing Industry of Ohio and Northern KT's Membership Meeting, Cleveland, OH

Speaker: Gary Jones, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Affairs, PIA/GATF
21
11/15/2006: Printing Industry of Ohio and Northern KT's Membership Meeting, Columbus, OH

Speaker: Gary Jones, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Affairs, PIA/GATF
10
11/16/2006: Printing Industry of Ohio and Northern KT's Membership Meeting, Cincinnati, OH

Speaker: Gary Jones, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Affairs, PIA/GATF
39
1/25/2007: PIA/GATF EPA/OSHA Compliance Webinar, Pittsburgh, PA

Speaker: Gary Jones, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Affairs, PIA/GATF
88
2/6/2007: PIAS EPA/OSHA Update, Louisville, KY

Speaker: Gary Jones, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Affairs, PIA/GATF
20
2/7/2007: PIAS EPA/OSHA Nashville, TN

Speaker: Gary Jones, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Affairs, PIA/GATF
20
2/8/2007: PIAS EPA/OSHA Update, Memphis, TN

Speaker: Gary Jones, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Affairs, PIA/GATF
8
2/8/2007: PIAS EPA/OSHA Update, Little Rock, AR

Speaker: Gary Jones, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Affairs, PIA/GATF
12
3/12/2007: National Environmental Health and Safety Affairs Annual Conference, Jacksonville, FL

Speaker: Gary Jones, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Affairs, PIA/GATF
30
3/13/2007: National Environmental Health and Safety Affairs Annual Conference, Jacksonville, FL

Speaker: Gary Jones, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Affairs, PIA/GATF
30
3/14/2007: National Environmental Health and Safety Affairs Annual Conference, Jacksonville, FL

Speaker: Gary Jones, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Affairs, PIA/GATF
145
4/21/2007: NEXPO (Annual Newspaper Association of America's Convention), Orlando, FL

Speaker: Gary Jones, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Affairs, PIA/GATF
40
5/1/2007: Offset and Beyond EPA/OSHA Update, Toronto, Canada

Speaker: Gary Jones, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Affairs, PIA/GATF
45
5/2/2007: Offset and Beyond EPA/OSHA Update E2, Toronto, Canada

Speaker: Gary Jones, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Affairs, PIA/GATF
31
5/11/2007: UV Workshop, Pittsburgh, PA

Speaker: Gary Jones, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Affairs, PIA/GATF
22
5/15/2007: Paperboard Packaging Council Sustainability Program, Atlanta, GA

Speaker: Gary Jones, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Affairs, PIA/GATF
61
5/20/2007: PIA/GATF Board of Directors, Pittsburgh, PA

Speaker: Gary Jones, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Affairs, PIA/GATF
36
6/14/2007: PIA/GATF Green Printing Webinar, Pittsburgh, PA

Speaker: Gary Jones, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Affairs, PIA/GATF
300
TOTAL 1060

 
Alliance Annual Report
Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Graphic Arts Coalition
July 31, 2007

Appendix B
 
FTA's EHS Direct Newsletter
Date Topics
June 2006 Medical & First Aid Programs
June 2006 OSHA Targets Workplaces for Unannounced Inspections
July 2006 New on OSHA Compliance Assistance Webpage
July 2006 OSHA Quick Card on Heat Stress
August 2006 FTA Continues Alliance with OSHA
August 2006 Scam Alert from OSHA
September 2006 Flexography Ergonomics eTool Now Available
September 2006 OSHA Quick Card: Safe Driving Practices for Employees
October 2006 Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals
October 2006 Fundamentals of a Workplace First-Aid Program Webinar Archived
October 2006 Making the Business Case for Safety and Health
January 2007 Workplace Violence Information
January 2007 Eye & Face Hazards in the Workplace
February 2007 Making the Business Case for Safety & Health
February 2007 Hurricane eTool
February 2007 Did You Post Your Illness/Injury Summaries?
March 2007 Printing Included in OSHA Machine Guarding Publications
March 2007 New "It's the Law" Poster
March 2007 VPP Update
May 2007 New OSHA Training Policy
June 2007 OSHA's CAS Directory Updated
June 2007 OSHA/U.S. EPA Occupational Chemical Database
June 2007 Is Your Worksite Prepared for Emergencies? Webinar
 
 
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