NECA - IBEW Joint Safety Committee Meeting   

(Click HERE to download meeting agenda and information packet)                   

Attendance: Theresa Hollan, Jon Orton, Elias Campbell, Danny Gibbs, Gary Fadden, Nancy Cary, Mike Jacobs, J. Brubaker, Alan Keser and Barry Moreland

The meeting was called to order at 1:30 PM and previous meeting minutes were approved as written.

Communications

OR-OSHA Overnight Hospitalization Reports - the group reviewed OR-OSHA overnight hospitalization reports from January through mid-March. Injury trends involving falls and lacerations were identified.

Aerial Work Fall Protection Best Practices - a new publication on aerial work best practices when using fall protection was discussed.

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Old Business

Accident / Injury Reporting - the Committee and guests discussed the importance of reporting and analyzing accidents, near misses and injuries for both the employer and the Joint Safety Committee. Barry reported that all training agents are required to report injuries to apprentices that require more than basic first aid to the NIETC.

Apprentice Requirements - apprentices are required to notify the NIETC of all on or off-the-job injuries which cause them to miss work. For off-the-job injuries, they must also obtain medical clearance to go back to work.

Voluntary Reporting for all Others - The committee discussed the many different accident / injury reports required by customers, G Cs, industry associations and OSHA. Currently, within L U 48 there are no mandatory injury or near miss reporting requirements for workers other than apprentices. The committee and guests agreed to voluntarily provide these reports in the future to Barry Moreland, who will secure and archive them to identify trends and help direct the efforts of the committee. Information about injury reporting will be distributed to all contractors along with a standardized injury reporting form.

  

New Business

NIETC Safety Toe Boot Reimbursement Program

New Claim Form and Program Criteria - Barry reported on the NIETC safety toe boot reimbursement program and how the number of reimbursement requests has risen steadily over the past few years. He indicated that a new claim form will be used for future requests beginning in April. The form will simplify the process for employers and will better identify the reason safety toe boots are required.

Round Table

Gary Fadden suggested revising the sample safety manual chapter to include accident and “injury” reporting and investigation. Barry will revise and send out the new version to employers.

Barry shared information about an upcoming conference on electrical safety and reliability at the NIETC. There will be a training session on bolted pressure switch installation and maintenance procedures. The event takes place on May 14 - 16, 2011.

A discussion of when to take hardhats out of service took place. Confusion as to a maximum of 5 years usage can be attributed to a hard hat vendor and is only a suggested lifespan, not a formal OSHA regulation or interpretation.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 PM.  The next meeting is scheduled for May 19th, at 1:30 PM.