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AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR SURFACE FINISHING

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and The National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and NASF hereby form an Alliance to provide NASF's members and others, such as small businesses and other than English-speaking employees, with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to chemical hazards, including hexavalent chromium. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and NASF recognize that OSHA's State Plan and On-site Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

OSHA and NASF will work together to achieve the following training and education goal:
  • Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop training and education programs regarding chemical hazards and to provide expertise in communicating such information to employers and employees in the industry.
OSHA and NASF 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 NASF's Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry.

  • Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or NASF's conferences local meetings, or other appropriate industry meetings such as the industry's annual technical conference and trade show, SUR/FIN.

  • Share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding NASF best practices or effective approaches and publicize results through outreach by NASF and through OSHA- or NASF- developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars, lectures, and other appropriate industry meetings.

  • Encourage local NASF affiliates and branches to build relationships with OSHA's Regional and Area Offices to address health and safety issues, including preventing exposure to chemical hazards.
OSHA and NASF will work together to achieve the following goal related to promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:
  • Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on workplace safety and health 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, Directorate of Standards and Guidance, and any other appropriate offices. OSHA will encourage State Plan States' and OSHA On-site Consultation Projects' participation on the team.

Nothing in this agreement supersedes or otherwise affects the settlement agreement between the Surface Finishing Industry Council (SFIC), OSHA, Public Citizen Health Research Group, and the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union dated October 25, 2006, which resolved SFIC's legal challenge to OSHA's hexavalent chromium standard.

This agreement will remain in effect for two years. Either 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 both signatories.
 



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


 
Date


 
William D. Wiggins
Chairman
Government Advisory Committee
National Association for Surface Finishing


 
Date