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Alabama Struck-By Alliance
AlabamaAGC is signatory to the
“Alabama Struck-By Alliance” with OSHA along with several
other associations in an attempt to address the serious issue of
“struck-by” fatalities in work zones. An alliance is a
special OSHA program that allows industry to collaborate with
OSHA in a non-enforcement arena. Alliance goals include training
and education, outreach and communication and the promotion of a
national dialogue on workplace safety and health.
The Alliance has grown to include the following entities:
· The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
· U.S. Department of Labor
· Alabama - Associated General
Contractors of America, Incorporated;
· Alabama Road Builders Association,
Incorporated;
· Safe State of Alabama;
· Alabama Department of
Transportation;
· The Federal Highway Administration
– Alabama Division;
· 3M Corporation;
· Lamar Outdoor Advertising; and
· Alabama T-2 Center - Auburn
University
The “Alabama Struck-By Alliance” began in 2001 when Paul
Weaver, President of H.O. Weaver & Sons, Inc. in Mobile, was
discussing a fatal struck-by accident with the Mobile OSHA Area
Director, Lana Graves. She suggested he contact the local trade
associations he was involved with to form an Alliance, which
could provide desperately needed struck-by training to
contractors statewide. Weaver, a Past President of Alabama Road
Builders Association and a member of AlabamaAGC began talking
with these groups. The group immediately grew to include
SafeState of Alabama, ALDOT, and 3M Corp.
The newly formed Alliance worked together and soon developed a
training seminar which could be utilized across the state to
educate hundreds of contractors and ALDOT employees. The
training seminar included presentations which addressed several
areas of concern.
· OSHA discussed fatality data for Struck-By accidents and
therefore the need for training;
· AlabamaAGC presented training on traffic control
planning;
· ALDOT discussed the implementation of MUTCD
requirements;
· Safe State of Alabama discussed their free consultation
services and the need for training in and out of the work zone;
and
· 3M discussed ANSI Standard 107-1999 and the need for
retro-reflective clothing.
Nine separate seminars were held throughout the state with the
final seminar, video taped by Alabama Technology Center at
Auburn University. Alabama Technology Center then produced CD’s
for the Alliance members to distribute to their memberships and
other interested parties.
In 2004, Lamar Advertising joined the Alliance. During “Work
Zone Awareness Week” Lamar provided Billboards around the
State boasting the slogan “Slow Down” Moms and Dads Work
Here. Over 55 Billboards were posted with an estimated
62,892,000 viewers over a three month period.
In 2005, the Alliance
continued ongoing projects and engaged in new activities.
Alliance member AlabamaT2 Center
trained ALDOT workers in the correct implementation of the MUTCD
requirements.
Alliance members, AlabamaT2
Center and 3M, are working together in an effort to create a
Hazard Assessment Document which can be used by Contractors to
help assess the hazards on their jobsites.
During 2005, Alliance contractor members
participated in a "Wear Test on Retro-reflective
T-Shirts"
which was conducted by 3M.
Alliance Members participated in the first
Alabama - Federal Highway Summit.
Alliance members supported
"National Work Zone Safety Week" in 2005 and 2006 by
assimilating information to contractors and others statewide.
The Alliance created a safety brochure which was distributed
throughout the State. Members of the committee also participated
in several local and statewide TV outreach efforts during the
week.
Post Hurricane Efforts:
One of the most significant safety
challenges that the devastation of Hurricane Katrina brought
to the gulf coast has been the increase in workers exposed to
"Struck-By" hazards. Thankfully, the Struck By alliance
members were ready and willing to assist by donating PPE and
coordinating worker training; including a successful
Construction Safety Conference. The alliance also created and
placed a safety message on a billboard off Interstate-10 at
the Alabama/Mississippi border; reminding drivers to drive
safety during the rebuilding.
2006
In response to the Alliance's
interest in highway work zone safety, Alliance member AlabamaT2
has applied for a grant which will allow them to identify
commonalities between the interaction between construction
workers in highway work zones and the motoring public in
Alabama.
This spring, Alliance members
were instrumental in initiating a free Construction Safety
Conference which focused on the needs of workers engaged in
post hurricane construction.
Through grants provided to
Georgia Tech and Construction Safety Council, the
Alliance has been able to help host and advertise additional
free safety training for workers engaged in post-hurricane
construction along the Coast.
The Alabama Struck-By Alliance has far reaching goals, from
making employees aware of the hazards in their working
environment; to training OSHA’s compliance officers to
understand MUTCD; to working with contractors to make their
jobsites a safer place for employees to work; and to making
driver’s education students and motorists aware of the dangers
involved in roadway work zones.
The Alliance strives to make construction
employers, employees, and motorists, aware of the hazards
involved in roadway work zones in Alabama.
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