OSHA Preferred Partnership Program

A partnering agreement has been agreed upon jointly by the Northern Ohio Chapter ABC and the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Cleveland and Toledo Offices.  The common objective and goal of this agreement is to provide a safe and healthful work environment for employees engaged in construction activities in the Northern Ohio Area, limit the intensity of the OSHA inspection and help prevent serious accidents within the industry through increased training and implementation of enhanced safety and health programs.

The Employers Advantage of the Preferred Partnering Agreement:

OSHA will recognize and consider when inspecting jobsites:

           1) ABC safety training programs of partnering members.

           2) The extent of employee training and instruction.

           3) The ABC member's safety and health program.

OSHA will focus and limit the scope of its investigation to four primary groups of hazards:

           1) Falls

           2) Electrical hazards

           3) Caught in/between hazards

           4) Struck by hazards

The Employers Commitment:

	Sign a letter of agreement with ABC to participate in this partnership and certify that OSHA has not citied their company in the past 3 years for "willful" or "serious violations related to a fatality".
	Verification that a written safety and health program is in place and holds supervisor(s) and employee(s) accountable for following safety rules and OSHA regulations.
	Provide OSHA required training to their employees when needed.
	Ensure that within 1 year after obtaining ABC's acceptance into the partnership program, all supervisory personnel  or other personnel serving as "competent person", will have completed the OSHA 30-Hour Training Course.
	Ensure that within 1 year after obtaining ABC's acceptance into the partnership program, all non-supervisory personnel engaged in construction activities will have completed the OSHA 10-Hour Training Course.
	Ensure that all employees will receive a 4-6 hour safety orientation when hired unless already finished.

If you would be interested in participating in the Preferred Partnering Program, an informational packet, application, and all necessary paperwork will be mailed to you.

"In September 2004, ABC Northern Ohio Chapter signed their renewal of the OSHA Preferred Partnership Agreement.  Three (3) representatives of OSHA joined ABC on that day, from left to right, Rob Medlock, Julie Weis and Darlene Fossum.  The Northern Ohio Chapter of ABC currently has 15 companies in the ABC/OSHA Preferred Partnership Program."

Click here for a the current list of ABC/OSHA Preferred Partnership Members