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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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