The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and "The Airline Group" comprised of Air Canada, AirTran Airways, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, ATA Airlines, America West Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Midwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways, and in affiliation with the International Air Transport Section of the National Safety Council, recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful workplaces. OSHA and The Airline Group therefore agree to renew the Alliance, signed on November 12, 2002, to use their collective expertise to help advance a culture of prevention while sharing best practices and technical knowledge, especially in the area of ergonomics. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and The Airline Group recognize that OSHA’s State Plan and Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

OSHA and The Airline Group agree to establish an Alliance addressing ergonomic issues related to the handling of passenger checked baggage through exploring methods of promoting training and education, outreach and communication, and continuing the national dialogue on workplace safety and health.

OSHA and The Airline Group will work together to achieve the following training and education goal:

• Continue the development of an industry training manual (referred to as a training module in the Alliance signed 11/12/02), with OSHA input, for employees on the handling of checked baggage and make it available, without charge, to the aviation industry, OSHA, and other interested parties.

OSHA and The Airline Group will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:

• With OSHA's input, continue development of an industry Awareness/Education Program for passengers, including, for example, a “Fact Sheet” and/or brochure with suggestions on how to pack baggage so it is easier to handle while traveling. Distribute the brochure at the National Safety Council’s National Safety Congress and Exposition and through working with Alliance Program participants.
  
  
• Work with OSHA to provide expertise on the periodic review and update of OSHA’s Baggage Handling eTool and the Airline Industry Safety & Health Topics page. Begin converting the industry training manual into an eTool.

OSHA and The Airline Group will work together to achieve the following goals related to promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:

• Conduct an informational seminar with and disseminate information to regulatory agencies, international organizations and other interested parties such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Transportation Security Administration and the American Association of Airport Executives to share information about ergonomic issues.
  
  
• Educate interested parties on and solicit ideas for improvement of ergonomics associated with the handling of checked baggage during a national safety related conference, such as the National Safety Council’s National Safety Congress and Exposition.

OSHA Alliances provide parties an opportunity to participate in voluntary cooperative relationships with OSHA for purposes such as training and education, outreach and communication, and promoting national dialogue on workplace safety and health. The Alliances have proven 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 OSHA enter into an Alliance with the purpose of promoting a particular party’s products or services.

An implementation team made up of representatives of all organizations will meet to develop a plan of action to accomplish the above goals, determine working procedures, and identify the roles and responsibilities of the participants. In addition, the implementation team will meet at least three times per year to track and share information on activities and progress in achieving the goals of the Alliance. OSHA will also encourage State Plan States’ and OSHA Consultation Projects’ participation on the team.

This agreement will remain in effect for one year from the date of signing. Once the above goals have been met or at the end of one year, whichever comes first, representatives of all organizations will meet to review the Alliance and consider additional goals. This agreement may be modified at any time with the concurrence of all signatories and may be terminated by any individual signatory for any reason with 30 days written notice to the other signatories, provided such termination shall be effective only with respect to the terminating party.