IMPACT Programs

Substance Abuse Program | Insurance | Training

The goal of the IMPACT National Substance Abuse Program is to make union ironworkers more employable and IMPACT contractors more competitive. It creates a pool of safe, drug-free workers and eliminates repetitive testing. This, in turn, saves IMPACT contractors and customers valuable time and money along with reducing lost work time and creating a safer work environment.

The IMPACT program recognizes tests performed within the last 12 months as a valid pre-employment test. Participants of the IMPACT program share a member’s current test record eliminating the need to retest individual workers for a new job.

The IMPACT program utilizes an independent third party administrator (TPA) to coordinate program testing and administer the random portion of the program. The TPA also provides a 24-hour online verification system that enables Ironworker unions, IMPACT contractors, and owners to verify that an Ironworker is prequalified to work. The Ironworkers’ database of welding certifications is linked to the system which allows contractors to review a members employment credentials online as well.

Every day Ironworkers are gaining access to jobsites using the IMPACT program, which satisfies owner requirements across the country. Acceptance of the program has been instrumental to the program’s growth. The IMPACT program has gained national recognition by U.S. Steel, Reliant Energy, Toyota, and General Motors (Fort Wayne, IN) and has also been accepted by the Ohio and Tennessee State Workers Compensation Funds.

The IMPACT National Substance Abuse Program maintains reciprocity with National Building Trades Substance Abuse program, the Boilermaker’s MOST program, Detroit’s MUST program, Cleveland’s CISAP program and Pittsburgh’s MBA program which allows Ironworkers in those pre-existing programs to be recognized within the IMPACT program.

The IMPACT program was jointly developed by labor and management to promote union Ironworkers and IMPACT contractors nationwide. This comprehensive program includes contractor training, a strong random test component, testing for reasonable suspicion and member rehabilitation. Each local union is assigned a program coordinator who works closely with both labor and management to implement the program. The program coordinator works with the business manager or union designated representative to get the program started. The TPA provides training classes for IMPACT contractors and customers, attends union meetings to answer member questions, schedules group testing dates at union halls and develops a convenient network of collection facilities for the area.

Contact Kevin Hilton, Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer, for more information.

A Program Coordinator Contact List is now available for the National Substance Abuse Program. The list provides regional contact information for the third party administrator should an issue arise.

Program Coordinator Contact List

Access the substance abuse employee verification system.

IMPACT has developed a national Safety Insurance Program for its signatory contractors to help address the rising costs of workers compensation, general liability, and auto coverage premiums. The foundation of the IMPACT Safety Insurance Program is geared toward increasing safety performance and improving the delivery of medical benefits to Ironworkers injured on the jobsite through the cooperative efforts of the Union, signatory employers, and the insurance industry.

IMPACT has entered into Alliance Agreements with several carriers to develop underwriting criteria to provide maximum allowable discounts for implementing a variety of accident prevention programs and claims management procedures. The application process is not intended to interfere with the employers' annual insurance renewal process, existing relationships with insurance carriers, insurance brokers, or authorized agents.

IMPACT has established an application packet that provides contractors with specific information regarding participation requirements and the application process. In order to expedite the application process to accommodate insurance renewal dates, here are some basic steps to follow:

Review the IMPACT Safety Insurance Program Packet and Application.

Contact your company's insurance broker regarding participation in the IMPACT Safety Insurance Program.

Complete and submit the application and questionnaire form to IMPACT.

It is important for your insurance broker to contact the following representatives regarding participation in the IMPACT Safety Insurance Program and to submit the Safety Insurance Program application 60 days prior to your insurance renewal date.

Zurich Financial Services Mr. Seth Hausman Senior Vice President 3600 Minnesota Drive, Suite 200 Minneapolis, MN 55435 (952) 229-3689	Old Republic Construction Program Group Ms. Pat Murphy Executive Vice President 199 Water Street, 11th Floor New York, NY 10038 (212) 607-2623
SeaBright Insurance Company Mr. Rae Farese Senior Vice President 2101 4th Avenue, Suite 1600 Seattle, WA 98121 (206) 819-2915	Chartis Ms. Kitti Peters Chief Underwriting Officer 175 Water Street, 6th Floor New York, NY 10038 (212) 458-2456

These insurance carriers have established a special underwriting unit to work with your insurance broker regarding participation in the IMPACT Safety Insurance Program. A dedicated claims handling unit has been created to work with contractor accounts and injured workers to improve the delivery of medical benefits in accordance with our Alliance Agreement.

IMPACT is committed to working with its signatory contractors to improve safety performance and address insurance issues that affect our industry. Contact Steve Rank, IMPACT Western Regional Director, for more information.

IMPACT and the Ironworkers National Training Fund are working together to upgrade and enhance the Ironworkers training program. IMPACT is assisting the Training Fund in developing a new core curriculum, a local union certification program, college credit for Ironworker apprenticeship training and a foreman training program. In addition IMPACT is contributing to the Training Funds comprehensive updating and modernization of all of its apprenticeship and journeyman upgrading training materials.