NECA - IBEW JOINT SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING

February 21st, 2007

The meeting was called to order at 1:30 PM and was followed by the approval of the January 17th, 2008 minutes. Self introductions were given.

COMMUNICATIONS

• OSHA’s Top 10 Violations for Construction

• NSC – Working and Driving 24/7

• OR-OSHA Construction Depot

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

• Vehicle Safety - OR-OSHA Best Practices Final Product - copies of the OR-OSHA publications were distributed to committee members. A fact sheet to accompany the document will be sent to all contractors in March.

• From the many discussion topics available within OR-OSHA's Construction Depot the committee reviewed the information on Silica and the possible changes to the Permissible Exposure Limit.

• Mobile Cranes Update - No report from the recent Travelers Insurance training was available. Barry will follow up with Travelers and report next month.

• OR-OSHA & HB 2222 – Safety Committees - OR-OSHA proposed changes to the structure and format of safety committees was discussed. The revisions, if adopted, would allow jobsite safety meetings to count towards compliance to the existing safety committee regulations. This ruling will allow more options - one as a formal safety committee - and another as a "safety meeting" to communicate about workplace safety and hazard recognition. Once adopted, Barry will produce an informational flyer to inform contractors as to their new options.

• Compact Fluorescent Lamps, Accumulation and Disposal - Information regarding removal, storage and transportation of regulated materials, such as PCB containing ballasts and mercury containing lamps was presented. Clarification on the allowance for removing and shipping a PCB containing ballast within a light fixture was discussed. Barry will provide an interpretation on that practice at the next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

• Future NJATC courses - The group was surveyed to identify what courses from the NJATC would be appropriate for 2008. NFPA 70E Train the Trainer course will be scheduled for the fall to address revisions to the 2004 edition.

OPEN FORUM

• New Product Information LOTO - A flyer showing an interesting type of lock out device that mechanically prevents the panel door from being opened was reviewed. The committee agreed that the device would be useful - especially when used in service type activities. Barry will provide examples at an upcoming meeting.

• Driving Accident - a service van driver, while trying to merge into traffic, rear ended a school bus. Fortunately, there were no injuries - just damage to the bus and a totaled van.

• Stute Decision & Oregon Multi-employer Worksite Doctrine - A discussion on the relationship of general contractors and their subs for safety responsibility took place. With the Washington State Stute decision and the existing Oregon Multi-employer worksite doctrine a general contractor can be held responsible for the overall safety on a project. Variables include scope of control and extent of knowledge of hazards through communication from the subcontractors.

TRAINING MATERIAL

• March - First Aid Response

• OSHA Interpretations on the requirement to have employee first aid trained / availability of medical response services

CLOSING

• Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned and the next scheduled meeting will be held on March 20th, at 1:30 PM.