PATH Goal #4: Reduce by at least 10 percent the risk of loss of life, injury and property destruction from natural hazards and reduce by at least 20 percent residential construction work illness and injuries.

Planned Near Term Actions Milestone End Date Sponsoring
Agencies
Industry Partici- pation (footnote) Status of Progress in Completing Planned Actions
Objective #1: Develop an approach for systematically improving the quality of housing that is better able to resist the forces of natural hazards.
  • Evaluate how PATH technologies may reduce incidence of property and casualty claims on home owners insurance, and whether such reduction may offer innovative insurance products for homeowners.
6/30/99 FEMA See note below.18
  • Expansion of the FEMA program with Fannie Mae to 10-15 states.
6/30/00 FEMA  
  • Expand the program nationwide.
On-going FEMA  
  • FEMA is working with insurance industry groups to develop insurance incentives (discounts, deductible reductions/waivers, etc.) for properties using disaster-resistant technologies in the construction process.
Objective #2: Evaluate alternative materials that can improve the ability of building systems to resist fire and natural disasters.
  • Study alternative affordable strategies and products for fire suppression in existing housing.
9/30/00 DOC/NIST

 
  • HUD is sponsoring this work at NIST which is just starting.
Objective #3: Evaluate emerging technologies for their potential to meet PATH goals of housing affordability and disaster mitigation.
  • Review FEMA materials for impact on affordability.
6/30/99 HUD  
  • The Housing Affordability Through Design Efficiency program sponsored by HUD and industry partners has initiated this review.
  • Develop methods of evaluating structural performance, including the connections of wood-frame housing after natural disasters and develop low-cost methods of repair.
On-going USDA/FS  
  • Work in progress with $65K of USDA/FS funding.
Objective #4: Deliver technical assistance through HUD on disaster relief in Latin American countries that were hit by Hurricanes Mitch and Georges.
  • Deliver technical assistance through HUD on disaster relief in Latin American countries that were hit by Hurricanes Mitch and Georges.
6/30/99 HUD  
  • Initial technical assistance has been provided to countries hit by Hurricane Mitch. Additional work dependent on Congressional funding.
5/30/99 HUD  
  • HUD is providing seminars on disaster resistance.
Objective #5: Demonstrate disaster mitigation approaches in the rehabilitation of damaged housing and the construction of new housing in the communities damaged by Hurricanes Mitch and Georges.
  • As part of rebuilding assistance in Central America, demonstrate at least 10 innovative technologies that can make homes more disaster resistant yet remain affordable to the Central American housing market.
  HUD  
  • Demonstration work dependent on Congressional funding.
Objective #6: Conduct evaluations and document the costs and performance attributes of PATH technologies that have been incorporated into recently completed demonstration projects.
  • Conduct pilot demonstrations of FEMA’s Tornado Saferoom technology in 10 homes.
10/99

FEMA

 
  • HUD has transferred PATH funds to FEMA to initiate the pilots.
  • Conduct pilot demonstrations of the incorporation of mitigation and energy efficiency technologies and practices through DOE’s Weatherization Program.
10/99 FEMA  
  • HUD has transferred PATH funds to FEMA to initiate the pilots.
Objective #7: Conduct extensive field testing and evaluations with builders, remodelers, and product manufacturers on the installation and field performance of innovative products, designs, and construction practices that contribute toward enhanced resistance to fire and natural disasters.
  • Conduct building performance evaluations in the aftermath of Presidentially declared disasters to determine the effectiveness of certain building technologies and practices used in that area.
On-going FEMA  
  • FEMA has developed an internet based collection database for mitigation success stories and is conducting benefit/cost analysis on some mitigation efforts.
  • Document "success stories" associated with the use of mitigation technologies and practices (i.e., the reduction of damages).
On-going FEMA  
  • FEMA has established "Building Performance Assessment Teams" to deploy to selected disaster areas.
  • Begin evaluations of technology and construction process options that can improve disaster resistance.
7/31/99 HUD  
  • Over 130 technologies have been included in the PATH technology inventory. An evaluation procedure was developed using building industry input for initial screening. Up to 12 promising technologies will be evaluated in the field by builders this summer.
  • Develop improved disaster resistant installation technologies for manufactured housing.
12/31/99 HUD  
  • HUD has issued a cooperative agreement with the Manufactured Housing Alliance to investigate technical solutions for new manufactured housing
12/31/99 HUD  
  • HUD has issued a task order with Steven Winter Associates to investigate retrofit solutions.
  • Identify and characterize residential fire hazards and examine mitigation technologies. Develop test protocols.
5/31/00 DOC/NIST  
  • Work initiated at NIST.
Objective #8: Based on the results of previous evaluations, identify a set of high-priority technologies that, if accepted into practice, would help achieve PATH disaster mitigation goals.
  • Conduct building performance evaluations in the aftermath of Presidentially declared disasters to determine the effectiveness of certain building technologies and practices used in that area.
On-going FEMA

 

 
  • FEMA has established "Building Performance Assessment Teams" to deploy to selected disaster areas.
Objective #9: Develop wide ranging product and systems demonstrations throughout the U.S. incorporating high-priority PATH technologies and evaluate methods for stream-lining acceptance of advanced technologies and communicate the results to the industry and the general public.
  • Conduct demonstrations in disaster prone communities of disaster mitigation approaches that meet PATH goals.
9/30/00 HUD  
  • FEMA’s Project Impact is working in local communities to showcase disaster mitigation strategies.
Objective #10:Develop partnerships and other cooperative efforts with the PATH partners to identify and address significant workplace hazards, emphasizing those targeted by OSHA’s performance goals.
  • Continue implementing the HomeSafe Partnership with the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Denver. The Partnership has a ten point program based on actual accident experience to address specific hazards causing fatal and serious accidents and a design solution for managing the risks inherent in the residential home building industry (OSHA).
On-going DOL/OSHA

 

 
  • Program is up and running. Additional partnerships are under development.
Objective #11: Deliver an appropriate mix of interventions and compliance assistance tools to assist home builders in complying with OSHA safety regulations.
  • Provide expert assistance to small and medium employers, including residential contractors and other employers with no more than 250 employees (OSHA).
9/30/99

DOL/OSHA

 
  • Over 3,000 consultation site visits were completed in FY98. A larger number of consultations are projected for FY99.
  • Develop a focused inspections guidance document for the construction industry (OSHA).
On-going DOL/OSHA  
  • Work is underway.
Objective #12: Develop a standardized, valid safety and health program evaluation measurement tool which can be used to assess the quality of a safety and health program. Use the results from application of the tool to assist home builders in implementing or improving their safety and health programs.
  • Implement a method for acquiring data specially designed to measure incidence of residential construction workplace illness and injury.
On-going

DOL/OSHA

 
  • OSHA is working with Colorado St. University on developing this methodology.
  • Develop Safety and Health Program Partnerships with the American Subcontractors’ Association, the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America and the National Electrical Contractors of America to promote an automated (computerized) system to assist member contractors to develop site-specific safety and health programs for their sites, and provide recognition for contractors who use this automated system.
On-going DOL/OSHA  
  • OSHA is reviewing the interactive video training programs that have been developed by these associations.
Objective #13: Make safety and health information and materials easily accessible to home builders and workers via both the Internet and paper based publications.
  • OSHA will continue developing and delivering safety and health information through its web site, the OSHA CD-ROM, Compliance Advisors Software, and the Job Safety and Health Quarterly.
On-going DOL/OSHA  
  • OSHA is continually updating and revising information.
Objective #14: Develop and disseminate occupational safety and health training and reference materials which address the needs of small home builders and workers.
  • The train-the-trainer construction outreach program organizations include construction trade unions, construction associations, and insurance companies.
8/31/99

DOL/OSHA

 
  • Train-the-trainer materials are under development by NAHB Research Center. Train-the-trainer sessions will be held during the summer of 1999.
  • The NAHB Research Center training grant provides training and specialized materials to builders and contractors in 50 communities. Additional training through the National Safety Council/United Brotherhood of Carpenters training grant and the Scaffolding Training Partnership.
3/31/99

DOL/OSHA

 
  • Over 24 eight-hour training seminars have been held throughout the US to date. Another 26 are under development for other cities.
  • Disseminate the Jobsite Safety Handbook for small contractors, jointly produced by OSHA and NAHB, the Construction Regulations for the Home Building Industry manual, pocket cards on OSHA requirements for use in the field by supervisors and workers, and Fatal Facts and hazard information bulletins to alert home builders to hazards.
3/31/99 DOL/OSHA  
  • The Handbook and other OSHA safety materials were added to the Catalog of Building Products that is distributed on CD-ROM and the Internet. The CD-ROM version is provided to all seminar attendees.


18 FEMA has an agreement with Fannie Mae to develop and deliver a non-collateralized mitigation loan product available to homeowners through Fannie Mae-sponsored mortgage transactions. The product is being piloted in Florida.