Alliance -- An OSHA Cooperative Program << Back to National Alliances

(signed September 16, 2008)

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Alliance Program

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Compliance Assistance


Through the OSHA and ASA Alliance, the organizations will work together to provide the associations members and others, including small businesses, with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety. In particular, the agreement will focus on addressing exposure to hazards associated with material handling and forklift operations and hazard communication issues. The Alliance's goals include:

Outreach and communication:

  • Work with OSHA to provide expertise in developing information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and to provide expertise in developing ways of communicating such information (e.g. print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools and OSHA's and ASA's Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry.
  • Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or ASA's conferences and local meetings, such as ASA's Annual Convention, Regional Conferences, and Peer Networking Council Meetings.
  • Share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding ASA's best practices or effective approaches and publicize results through outreach by ASA and through OSHA- or ASA-developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars, webinars, publications and lectures (or any other applicable forum).
  • Promote and encourage ASA members' participation in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Programs, and the On-site Consultation Program and its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.
  • Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects on hazards that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.

Promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:

  • Develop and disseminate case studies illustrating the business value of safety and health and publicize their results.
  • Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings to provide input on safety and health issues or to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace.

Related Documents

Alliance Agreements


Alliance News Releases


Activities and Events

  • August 30, 2011: "30 Years of OSHA's Hearing Conservation Amendment to the Noise Standard - How Are We Doing?". Through the OSHA and American Supply Association (ASA) Alliance, ASA and HTI are sponsoring this webinar that reviews the key components of an effective hearing conservation program. It also focuses on outcome metrics gauging the effectiveness of a hearing conservation program specifically centered on an 8-year review of recordable noise-induced hearing loss cases. The webinar is geared towards individuals responsible for creating safety procedures and implementing OSHA requirements.
  • May 1-7, 2011: 2011 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week. The American Supply Association and a number of other Alliance Program participants supported 2011 NAOSH Week. Sponsored annually by the American Society of Safety Engineers, an Alliance Program participant, and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, the Week focuses on the importance of preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace. The theme for 2011 was "Celebrating a Century of Safety."
  • April 28, 2011: "A Practical Guide to Machine Safeguarding". Through the OSHA and American Supply Association (ASA) Alliance, ASA and Lovegreen Risk Management, LCC sponsored this webinar that provides an overview of the basics of machine safeguarding and the regulatory requirements behind them. The webinar provides participants access to Lovegreens DIY Machine Guarding Survey, covering 17 types of common shop equipment. In addition, the survey will allow participants to conduct their own company assessments to uncover the most common machine safeguarding problems. This webinar was presented to Alliance Program participants, as well as OSHA staff nationwide. The webinar can be replayed and presentation slides can be downloaded by clicking on the hyperlink provided.
  • February 17, 2011: "Protect Your Employees and Company from the #1 At-Work Killer". Through the OSHA and American Supply Association (ASA) Alliance, ASA and Cardiac Science sponsored this webinar that provides an overview of sudden cardiac arrest and its potential impact to your workplace. In addition, it discusses how to build the case for an AED program, overcome budget committee obstacles, and implement an AED program. You will learn about AED legislation and liability and the 5 “musts” your AED program should have. This webinar was presented to Alliance Program participants. The webinar can be replayed and presentation slides can be downloaded by clicking on the hyperlink provided.
  • December 15, 2010: Protection VS. Prevention - Why Safety Knives?. Through the OSHA and American Supply Association (ASA) Alliance, ASA and Martor USA sponsored this webinar that discusses the importance of determining the level of current cutting tools used, looking at the tasks being performed, and picking the proper tool for the job. In addition, it addresses training for safety knives and how to implement safer cutting procedures. This webinar was presented to Alliance Program participants, as well as OSHA, State Plan, and On-site Consultation representatives nationwide. The webinar can be replayed and presentation slides can be downloaded by clicking on the hyperlink provided.
  • September 14, 2010: Reducing Hand Injuries and Managing PPE Costs While Maintaining OSHA Compliance. Through the OSHA and American Supply Association (ASA) Alliance, ASA and Ansell sponsored this webinar that describes safety factors that contribute to reducing hand injuries and managing PPE costs while maintaining OSHA compliance. In addition, it identifies common hand injuries and their causes along with proper PPE selection. This webinar was presented to Alliance Program participants, as well as OSHA, State Plan and On-site Consultation representatives nationwide. The webinar can be replayed and presentation slides can be downloaded by clicking on the hyperlink provided.
  • May 2-8, 2010: 2010 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week. The American Supply Association and a number of other Alliance Program participants supported 2010 NAOSH Week, "Mission NAOSH 2010: Safe Workplaces." Sponsored annually by the American Society of Safety Engineers and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, the Week focuses on the importance of preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace.
  • December 10, 2009: Ergonomics & Back Safety for Material Handling. Through the OSHA and American Supply Association (ASA) Alliance, ASA and Humantech, Inc. sponsored this webinar that describes how safety factors contribute to musculoskeletal injuries in the low back, as well as provides strategies for measuring and managing the level of risk in a facility or field operation. In addition, it addresses the Hierarchy of Controls and how you can create an effective, proactive plan that contains all the key elements in a program. This webinar was presented to Alliance Program participants, as well as OSHA, State Plan, and On-site Consultation representatives nationwide. The webinar can be replayed and presentation slides can be downloaded by clicking on the hyperlink provided. 
  • October 19-25, 2009: 2009 Drug-Free Work Week. Association for High Technology Distribution and a number of other Alliance Program participants supported the 2009 Drug-Free Work Week. Sponsored annually by the U.S. Department of Labor's Working Partners for an Alcohol and Drug-Free Workplace Program, the Week focused on educating employers, employees and the public about the importance of being drug-free as an essential component of a safe and healthful workplace.
  • October 14 - 17, 2009: American Supply Association Annual Convention, NetworkASA 2009, Washington, DC.
    • October 16, 2009: Elizabeth Way, Director, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances (OOSA), Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs (DCSP), USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation "OSHA Alliance Program" to industry professionals.
    • October 16, 2009: William Willson, Program Analyst, OOSA, DCSP, USDOL-OSHA, staffed an Alliance Program exhibit booth.
  • August 25, 2009: Loading Dock & Door Safety Webinar. Through the OSHA and American Supply Association (ASA) Alliance, ASA and NIBCO sponsored a webinar describing safety issues associated with the loading dock areas and possible solutions. This webinar was presented to Alliance Program participants, as well as OSHA, State Plan, and On-site Consultation representatives nationwide. The webinar can be replayed and presentation slides can be downloaded by clicking on the hyperlink provided. 
  • May 3-9, 2009: 2009 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week. American Supply Association and more than 55 other Alliance Program participants supported 2009 NAOSH Week. Sponsored annually by the American Society of Safety Engineers, an Alliance Program participant, and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, the Week focuses on the importance of preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace. The theme for 2009 NAOSH Week was "Safety Means Always Coming Home."
  • October 20-26, 2008: 2008 Drug-Free Work Week. The American Supply Association and a number of other Alliance Program participants supported the 2008 Drug-Free Work Week. Sponsored annually by the U.S. Department of Labor's Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace Program, the Week focused on educating employers, employees and the public about the importance of being drug-free as an essential component of a safe and healthful workplace.

Products and Resources

Alliance Program Participant Developed Products

  • Toolbox Talks for Employees. Through the OSHA and American Supply Association (ASA) Alliance, ASA developed the following toolbox talks for industry employers and employees:
    • Using the Toolbox Templates (also available as PDF - 370 KB) This document is designed to help employers effectively use the ASA - developed toolbox talks in the workplace. (2009, October)
    • Making Safety a Priority (also available as PDF - 400 KB) This Toolbox Talk helps employers and others to inform their employees how to make safety a priority in their everyday experience by obeying safety rules. (2009, October)
    • Attitudes that Contribute to Accidents (also available as PDF - 371 KB)  This Toolbox Talk helps employers and others to identify the attitudes and behaviors in the workplace that cause accidents in the workplace. (2010, March)
    • Powered Industrial Truck Safety (also available as PDF - 371 KB) This Toolbox Talk provides employers and workers with safety rules they should follow to stay safe on the job when operating powered industrial trucks. (2010, March)
    • Hazard Communication (also available as PDF - 86 KB) This Toolbox Talk provides workers with information about the chemicals they are working with or around, what hazards those chemicals pose and how they can protect themselves from those hazards. (2010, April)
    • Safe Material Handling (also available as PDF - 370 KB) This Toolbox Talk provides information about lifting and safe handling of materials to avoid injuries when engaged in these activities. (2010, April)
    • Effective Workplace Housekeeping (also available as PDF - 371 KB) This Toolbox Talk helps employers and workers to identify good housekeeping basics needed to provide a safe and clean workplace. (2010, February)
    • Guidelines for Dealing with Summer Heat (also available as PDF - 49 KB) This Toolbox Talk helps inform employers and workers of precautions to take when the heat index is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. (2010, June)
    • Safe Cell Phone Best Practices (also available as PDF - 50 KB) This Toolbox Talk helps employers and workers to identify best practices for using cell phones and other hand held devices safely. (2010, August)
    • Hand Safety (also available as PDF - 49 KB) This Toolbox Talk provides information about avoiding hand injury by keeping hands out of the "danger zone" while performing a work task. (2010, October)
    • Fire Prevention (also available as 92 KB PDF) This Toolbox Talk helps employers and workers identify the three elements required to have a fire occur and steps to control these elements. (2010, November)
    • Portable Fire Extinguisher Types and Use (also available as 92 KB PDF) This Toolbox Talk helps employers meet their responsibility to educate employees on the types, labeling, and use of portable fire extinguishers. (2010, November)
    • Portable Fire Extinguisher Use (also available as 92 KB PDF) This Toolbox Talk helps employers to familiarize workers with the proper practices of using a fire extinguisher and the hazards associated with fighting small or developing fires. (2010, November)
    • Preventing Injuries from Slips, Trips and Falls (also available as 94 KB PDF) This Toolbox Talk helps employers and workers identify the hazards which result in slips, trips and fall injuries along with key steps to reduce the risks. (2011, March)
    • Arc Flash Electrical Safety [PDF* - 133 KB] This Toolbox talk helps employees protect themselves from arc flash by identifying critical facts regarding arc flash electrical safety procedures. (2011, August)
    • Lighting in the Workplace [PDF* - 111 KB] This Toolbox talk helps employers and employees ensure proper lighting in the workplace. (2011, September)

OSHA Safety and Health Topics Pages

OSHA eTools

Additional Resources

**Alliance Implementation Team members serve on the editorial board.

Areas of Emphasis


Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs at 202-693-2200 for assistance accessing PDF materials.

*These files are provided for downloading.