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AGREEMENT RENEWING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
THE PRINTING INDUSTRIES OF AMERICA/GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNICAL FOUNDATION, THE SPECIALTY GRAPHIC IMAGING ASSOCIATION, THE FLEXOGRAPHIC TECHNICAL ASSOCIATION AND THE GRAVURE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Graphic Arts Coalition (GAC) consisting of the Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation, the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association, the Flexographic Technical Association and the Gravure Association of America, recognize the value of continuing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and GAC hereby renew their Alliance, signed on June 18 and July 1, 2002, and first renewed on February 9, 2004, to provide GAC members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety, particularly in addressing ergonomics, hazard communication, machine guarding and lockout/tagout issues. In renewing this Alliance, OSHA and GAC recognize that OSHA's State Plan and Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

OSHA and GAC will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:
  • 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 the GAC's Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry.

  • Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or GAC's conferences, local meetings, or other events.

  • Promote and encourage GAC members' or worksites' participation in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP), and the Consultation Program and its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).

  • Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects on ergonomics, hazard communication, machine guarding and lockout/tagout issues that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.
OSHA and GAC will work together to achieve the following goals related to 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 on ergonomics, hazard communication, machine guarding and lockout/tagout issues to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.
OSHA's Alliances provide parties an opportunity to participate in a voluntary cooperative relationship with OSHA for purposes such as training and education, outreach and communication and promoting a national dialogue on workplace safety and health. These Alliances have proved to be valuable tools for both OSHA and its Alliance participants. By entering into an Alliance with a party, OSHA is not endorsing any of that party's products or services; nor does the Agency enter into an Alliance with the purpose of promoting a particular party's products or services.

An implementation team made up of representatives of both organizations will meet to develop a plan of action, determine working procedures, and identify the roles and responsibilities of the participants. In addition, they will meet at least three times per year to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance. Team members will include representatives of OSHA's Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs and any other appropriate offices. OSHA will encourage State Plan States' and OSHA Consultation Projects' participation on the team.

This agreement will remain in effect for two years. Any signatory may terminate it for any reason at any time, provided they give 30 days written notice. This agreement may be modified at any time with the concurrence of all signatories.
 



 
Edwin G. Foulke, Jr.
Assistant Secretary
Occupational Safety and Safety Administration


 
Date


 
Michael F. Makin
President and CEO
Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation


 
Date
   


 
Michael E. Robertson
President and CEO
Specialty Graphic Imaging Association


 
Date
   


 
Mark Cisternino
President
Flexographic Technical Association


 
Date
   


 
William Martin
President and CEO
Gravure Association of America, Inc.


 
Date