An Exciting Year

Successful NASSCO testimony on OSHA’s proposed confined-space regulations helps save members and the industry millions of dollars

I paused when I sat down to write this final column of the year. While I have much to share about the year ahead, I felt compelled to reflect on all that’s happened in 2008 at our growing organization. In my 20-plus years with this organization, I’ve never seen a more productive year. Here are just a few of the many highlights:

• We updated our image with new branding and a new Web site.

• Our new offices provide space for demonstrations, training and education.

• Grout boot camp in the new office space brought competitors together.

• We signed a record number of new members.

• We introduced TAG-R — an industry-first.

• We announced a new Inspector Training and Certification Program for CIPP.

• PACP became the industry standard in Quebec Province.

• We provided seed money for the “Liquid Assets” program that educates consumers about our industry.

The accomplishment I would like to highlight most is our impact on the OSHA Hearing on the Proposed Rules Changes for Confined Spaces Regulations, held in Washington, D.C., in July. Proactive outreach by NASSCO at this hearing helped save our members and our entire industry millions of dollars.

Given the significant impact the proposed changes could have with regard to assessing conditions, complying with the new regulations, and the cost to comply, we invested in legal counsel to help in this matter. NASSCO has been following this issue for months and was one of the leading organizations to voice concerns.

Additionally, to prepare for our testimony, I surveyed members and learned that our 350 members (whose employees total nearly 35,000 people) open 4 million manholes per year, and members send a technician down a manhole more than 2,700 times per day.

Why are these statistics important? Because I wanted to show that we’re working safely under the current rules. The number of OSHA-reportable incidents experienced by our members is under 0.01 percent for the past three years. I also wanted to demonstrate the financial impact the changes would have on our industry. In fact, we calculated that the proposed rule would cost NASSCO members $7.5 million annually.

NASSCO was the only trade association in attendance that represented the pipeline rehabilitation industry. Representatives of other industries, such as road building, water tower construction and home building, were present and testified. NUCA members were well represented as installers of new pipe systems.

NASSCO testimony was presented by Kathy Romans, board member, officer and chair of the Health and Safety Committee. Earlier meetings with our legal counsel helped prepare us for the hearing. We received on-the-record statements that if the regulations are issued, OSHA will continue to classify the majority of the work conducted by our members as maintenance work and therefore exempt from the construction regulations.

NASSCO members safely enter and work in thousands of confined spaces every day. Confined-space safety is clearly a priority, and we’re committed to working with OSHA to improve the safety and health of the confined-space work environment.

I’m thrilled to have had another year with NASSCO, and I’m even more excited about the year ahead. If you’re not already a member, I invite you to join us. Learn more at www.nassco.org or contact Andrea Carter at andrea@nassco.org or 410/486-3500.

Irvin Gemora is executive director of NASSCO. He can be reached at director @nassco.org. The NASSCO headquarters is at 11521 Cronridge Dr., Suite J, Owings Mills, MD 21117.



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