The main goals of the partnership between Clark and OSHA are to prevent illnesses, injuries, and fatalities that are work-related.  They do this be identifying potential hazards and educating the workers at risk for on the job accidents or exposure to hazardous materials.  Specifically, the standards will primarily address accidents involving falls, electricity, struck-by and caught-in equipment dangers.  These accidents are often easily prevented with the right training and common sense.  For instance, equipment that is not used for the purpose indicated in labeling or instructions is sometimes an inherent hazard.  OSHA standards apply common sense safety regulations to the construction project.  Having the proper safety equipment for each task is equally important to using equipment for its intended purpose.  Tested and effective safety gear offers protection from workplace accidents that are sometimes fatal.

As voluntary partner with OSHA, Clark Construction is seeking to reduce the number of accidents, and therefore the number of missed work days, slow down in progress, fines, and medical or legal bills that can result from workplace safety incidents.  The partnership seeks to educate workers and employers on their individual rights and responsibilities, as well as the applicable OSHA standards and regulations.  Adherence to health and safety standards can prevent the majority of accidents from ever happening, keeping the work site healthier and safer for everyone involved.

Employers have the legal responsibility to provide employees with a safe and healthy place to work, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.  Working with OSHA as a part of the Strategic Partnership Program helps employers fulfill these obligations, making them less liable financially.  However, they are not exempt from OSHA inspections and regulations.  OSHA's Strategic Partnership Program enables workers, employers, trade associations, professional organizations, stakeholders, unions, and more to set safety goals, devise strategies, and prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths.

An alliance was formed between NCLR and OSHA as a part of the OSHA Alliance Program.  The Alliance program allows for collaboration between OSHA and groups that promote worker safety (faith-based organizations, community groups, professional associations, unions, consultants, educational institutions, and businesses).  Out of these collaborative relationships, resources are developed, tools and programs created, lines of communication established, and training is given with the purpose of preventing worker injury, illness, or death.  The alliance also seeks to inform all parties on employee rights and employer responsibilities.  OSHA programmed inspections continue to occur in groups that have an alliance with OSHA.

OSHA exists to carry out the mandate in the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 that employers are responsible for the provision of a safe and healthful work environment for all employees.  The duties of OSHA include setting the standards that indicate a safe and healthful workplace within each industry, providing training to the workforce and management of companies in America, offering assistance in compliance, running educational programs and materials on work safety, and enforcing its own standards and regulations (though inspections and fines).

The NCLR and its programs affect more than two and a half million Hispanic workers every year.  Working from a Latino population perspective, the group assesses and analyzes areas like education, employment, and health of Hispanic Americans.  They provide access to their research and support for the Latino population in the United States.

The NCLR/OSHA alliance is focused on the goal of educating and informing vulnerable work populations and those who have been historically hard to reach.   This alliance is committed to making the work place a safer environment for Hispanic individuals, even those in more hazardous industries, such as healthcare, service, construction, and "green" industries.  Workers with low wages and limited education can get information on their rights, advice on specific situations, and safety training through the alliance.

On May 27, 2011, an alliance was formed between the NCLR and OSHA.  This collaboration on Hispanic work safety is a part of the Alliance program.  Within the Alliance program, OSHA works to prevent diseases, injuries, and fatalities while on the job in America.  Possible alliance connections can be made with trade organizations, professional associations, faith-based groups, community organizations, unions, consultants, businesses, and educational institutions.  They create materials and tools, as well as training programs, which educate employees and employers about their rights and responsibilities.  Safety practices and standards set by OSHA are also communicated to workers through training and online and print materials.

The alliance between NCLR and OSHA for Hispanic work safety is focused on helping vulnerable populations of Hispanic workers in construction, "green" industries, health, and services.  These include workers with limited education, low incomes, and those that are hard to reach.  The distribution of materials formed by the alliance will come through NCLR affiliates throughout the country.  NCLR affects more than 2.6 million workers annually.  Because it is so large, it is a natural partnership for OSHA in order to keep Latino workers safe.  NCLR focuses on health, safety, and education.

The Department of Labor's Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) is committed to servicing the many hard workers in the United States who have limited English language abilities.  Many materials on Hispanic work safety put out by OSHA have been translated into Spanish and Portuguese, and more will be in the future.  Accessing migratory populations of Hispanic workers, such as those working on construction sites in various areas of the country, is made easier through multiple affiliates of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR).  It is important that employees be made aware of their rights to a safe and healthy work environment so they can learn to advocate for themselves through the advocacy help from NCLR.  The alliance between NCLR and OSHA will help to educate and empower working Hispanic Americans.

OSHA area director in Des Plaines, Diane Turek, praises the partnership because it establishes and keeps communication going between employers, workers, and OSHA.  It also helps in reducing exposure to hazardous materials and situations.  The partnership develops safety programs, standards, and materials that help to promote safer occupational environments in the future.  One of the goals of the partnership is to get employees involved in achieving a safe and healthy worksite.  Enhanced communication of the standards and regulations of OSHA is also a focus of the partnership.

The St. Alexius Medical Center is located in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.  The construction project of St. Alexius Center East Pavilion is an addition to the Medical Center located on Barrington Road in the 1500 block.  The finished addition will have seven stories and 210,000 square feet.  The construction project will cost $55 million dollars to complete.  The number of workers is expected to range between 150 and 200.  Twelve subcontractors will be used in the process also.  Any subcontractors used are made partners in the OSHA partnership.  The partnership will oversee comprehensive health and safety programs that are written out and specific to each site.

The partnership between OSHA and Power Construction Company (Schaumburg, Illinois) is a part of the Strategic Partnership Program of the US Department of Labor.  Under the rules of the program, OSHA partnerships can include employees, employers, labor organizations, stakeholders, professional groups, trade associations.  The partnerships are focused on employee health and safety through strategies, goals, and performance standards that are specific and measurable.  The communication and training of workers in the set forth standards is also a function of the partnership.  A spirit of collaboration and teamwork with a view to safety is established between labor and management through these partnerships as well.

They seek out potential hazards and set forth common sense standards to reduce the number of accidents that occur within the industry.  In fact, since the beginning of the partnership between Ford and OSHA, there have been noticeable differences in the safety of the workplace.  The total case incidents have decreased seventy-four percent.  DART, or days away from work, restricted duty and job transfers, has decreased eighty-eight percent.  The worksites that participate in the program are reaping major benefits from the work of the partnership.  The DART rates at seventy-five percent of these participating worksites are below the industry averages as reported by the US Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Future goals of the partnership between UAW, ACH, MiOSHA, Ford and OSHA include continuing to reduce DART rates through preventing occupational fatalities, injuries, and illnesses in employees. The participating worksites are located in Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and New York.

Federal OSHA participants include:

Illinois:  Chicago Assembly Plant and Chicago Stamping Plant in Chicago
Missouri: Kansas City Assembling Plant in Kansas City
Ohio:  Cleveland Engine Plants 1 and 2 in Brook Park, Lima Engine Plant in Lima, Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake, Sharonville Transmission Plant in Sharonville, Sandusky Plastics Plant in Sandusky, and Walton Hills Stamping Plant in Walton Hills
New York:  Buffalo Stamping Plant in Hamburg

State-based MiOSHA participating plants include:

Dearborn Tool and Die Plant
Dearborn Truck Plant
Dearborn Diversified Manufacturing Plant
Dearborn Stamping Plant
Dearborn Engine and Fuel Tank Plant
Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne
Woodhaven Stamping Plant
Livonia Transmission Plant and National PDC in Livonia
Van Dyke Transmission Plant and Sterling Transaxle Plant in Sterling Heights
Romeo Engine Plant; Rawsonville Parts Plant
Brownstown Parts Redistribution Center in Romulus
Woodhaven Forge Plant
Saline Instruments and Plastics Plant and the Sheldon Road Plant in Plymouth Township

OSHA designates the types of programs or goals that are eligible to receive Susan Harwood Training Grant Program money.  The Susan Harwood Training Grant program specifically awards grants to non-profit organizations.  The four areas in which there are safety and health training grants available include:

1.  Capacity Building Pilot

A good plan is the foundation for success that many organizations neglect to establish.  Capacity building pilot grants help organizations formulate a capacity building plan and assess their needs.  This is intended for organizations that have not begun a full-scale safety and health education program yet.

2.  Capacity Building Developmental

For organizations that already provide workplace health and safety education, training, and assistance, capacity building developmental grants assist in the expansion of the goals and vision of the organization.  These OSHA training grants help to develop exiting companies so they can create safer and health workplaces.

3.  Targeted Topic Training

Identifying workplace hazards, preventing accidents, and providing safe and healthy work environments are the main goals of OSHA training.  Targeted topic grants focus on developing quality training programs aimed at employees and employers on specific OSHA-designated topics.  These topics include crane safety, safe bin entry in grain handling operations, fall protection, shipyard safety hazards, and hazardous communication for chemical exposure.

4.  Training and Educational Materials Development

Training and educational materials development OSHA training grants offer money to create materials, programs, and training to make occupational environments as safe and healthy as they can be.  The education of employers and workers is the primary goal in the distribution of this grant money.

Government agencies, even local or state government groups, are not eligible to apply for this grant money.  Higher education institutions who receive support from government agencies are eligible, however.  Applications must be submitted electronically.  Other grant opportunities can be found at http://www.Grants.gov/.

During the past history of the alliance between OSHA and SWRI, materials have been created that educate, inform, and train workers and employers on the safety hazards of working in the sealant, waterproofing, and restoration industry.   The materials assist companies in complying with OSHA standards and preventing accidents and illnesses.

The primary dangers in the sealant, waterproofing, and restoration industry include falls, confined spaces, and exposure to chemicals.  The safety and health field manual already produced by the alliance addresses OSHA standards and the identification of key safety hazards.  Competent person, excavation and trenching, aerial and scissor lift, fall protection, and respiratory protection are among the issues specifically included in the manual.

OSHA's web page on safety and health topics was another project worked on by the alliance of OSHA and SWRI, specifically the areas of fall protection, welding and cutting, hazard communication and electrical.  The joint accomplishments of the alliance have created a safer environment for workers in this industry through educating workers of their rights and employers of their responsibilities.

During the next two years, the alliance between OSHA and SWRI intends to provide more information, training, and guidance for protecting worker health to all entities (small businesses too!) related to sealant, waterproofing, and restoration industries.   Their focus is the continued advancement of the safety and health in the workplace as it relates to sealant, waterproofing, and restoration industries.  Setting and enforcing OSHA standards is made easier with the training material created by SWRI with OSHA during the alliance.

When safety standards are followed, accidents and illnesses are prevented.  Injuries, deaths, and health complications can often be avoided by following the common sense safety standards set forth by OSHA.  Employers who are proactive about recognizing and rectifying potentially hazardous situations that can result in confined spaces, falls, and exposure to chemicals in the sealant, waterproofing, and restoration industry.

The purpose of this alliance, which was first signed in 2008, is to help prevent injuries and fatalities that occur in the workplace, especially in the presence of scaffolding or lift equipment.  Information and education are the primary tools of the joint effort of these two groups.  They are dedicated to informing employees and employers not only of the standards of safety in the industry but also of their rights and responsibilities ethically and legally.

The alliance has resulted in safety materials on fall hazards and scaffold safety in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.  They have also released materials that list the American National Safety Institute consensus standards that are applicable to this industry.  The OSHA and SIA alliance has provided valuable resources promoting the prevention of accidents and the safety of workers.

The alliance between OSHA and SIA also has some great goals for the future.  The renewed alliance will focus on preparing new materials that train and educate workers in safety and accident prevention.  It will also design more outreach activities and promote communication of the rights of employees and the responsibilities of employers.  The alliance will design and communicate codes of safe practices.  They will develop educational and informative audiovisual programs.  Focused on the scaffolding industry, the alliance will include information pertaining to aerial life equipment, mast climbing scaffolding, and suspended scaffolding.

OSHA standards of employer provided safety on the job applies to the organizations they are in alliance with as well.  Alliance organizations, like the Scaffolding Industry Association, Inc., are not exempt from OSHA inspections.  SIA is only one of many Alliance program participants.  Alliances have been formed between OSHA and trade or professional organizations, unions, faith-based groups, community-based organizations, consulates, businesses and educational institutions.  These alliances are all formed with the goal of safer workplaces for American employees.

However, it is the prerogative of companies to use natural gas if they choose to do so.  In the event that natural gas blows are used, there are some steps that must be taken legally to protect workers surrounding the process.  The employer is responsible for keeping the workers safe during these procedures.  Employers should plan thoroughly for the procedure to ensure everyone's health and safety.  Here are the top ten safety requirements during a gas blow procedure to clear piping during power plant construction.

1.  Be sure to have vertical vents in place that clear all structures.

2.  Ignition sources should be removed.

3.  All workers who are not essential to the process should be removed from the site of the procedure.

4.  Air quality should be monitored before, during, and after the gas blow.

5.  An employer-provided worker, competent and trained to recognize signs of danger or hazards, should be present.

6.  All employees involved must be trained to recognize worksite hazards.

7.  When natural gas (or another flammable compound) is present, cutting, welding, and heating must cease.

8.  Equipment that can ignite natural gas cannot be used, and all equipment must be used following the labeling, instructions, and certifications.

9.  The employer must keep the worksite free of hazards and is legally responsible and financially liable to do so.

10.  Even if they are not directly involved in the gas blow process during power plant construction, subcontractors must keep their own employees safe and remove them from possible harm.

Violations of OSHA requirements during these procedures can result in a $70,000 civil fine.  If there is loss of life, as in the Kleen Power Plant explosion of 2010, criminal prosecution and millions of dollars in fines are possible.  Employers should check state law as well for additional requirements listed in State Plans.

Step #1:  Have a plan for the work site during dangerously hot seasons.  Planning ahead of time to prevent heat-related illnesses is much less expensive than paying medical bills and lawsuit payouts.  However, make sure to include contingency plans for medical emergency response to the signs of heat-related illnesses.  Training workers to recognize these signs and even assigning a worker at each job site to watch for them is a wise idea.

Some of the more common signs of heat illnesses are heat cramps in the arms, legs, or abdomen; heavy sweating; paleness; weakness; confusion; nausea; dizziness; headache; and irritability.

Step #2:  Provide drinking water and the time to drink it.  On hot days like in the past two months, workers should be drinking a little water every fifteen minutes.  Since conscientious workers can get lost in tasks for much longer than this, reminders to drink often are helpful.

Step #3:  Break times for resting in the air conditioning or shaded areas should be scheduled in the work day.  These designated areas should be near the work site.  Breaks should be scheduled throughout the shift rather than grouped close together.

Step #4:  Be wise when scheduling heavy tasks.  Assign these more strenuous workloads earlier in the day when it is cooler if at all possible.

Step #5:  Take care of new employees.  Ease them into heavy workloads in this heat throughout the course of a week.  A gradual increase in the number and exertion level of tasks will help new employees avoid heat-related illnesses.

Taking these steps can increase productivity and protect against serious (sometimes life threatening) illnesses due to high heat levels.  The three major preventative measures are water, rest, and shade.  These can help keep your workers going even in the midst of extreme heat and humidity.