AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
AMONG
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AUGUSTA AREA OFFICE
AND
THE MAINE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STANDARDS
MAINE 21(d) CONSULTATION PROJECT
AND
MAINE OCCUPATIONAL RESEARCH AGENDA

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Augusta Area Office; the Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Standards, Maine 21(d) Consultation Project (Maine 21(d)); and the Maine Occupational Research Agenda (MORA) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA, Maine 21(d) and MORA hereby form an Alliance to provide MORA and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees’ health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to general industry and construction hazards and fatalities, including but not limited to, occupational asthma, toxic exposures, musculoskeletal disorders, and pesticides. In developing this Alliance, OSHA, Maine 21(d) and MORA recognize that the State Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

MORA works to improve the health and safety of Maine workplaces by fostering health and safety research, building research partnerships, hosting conferences and outreach programs, promoting a comprehensive occupational injury and illness data system for Maine, and setting research priorities.

OSHA, Maine 21(d) and MORA will work together to achieve the following research and education goals:

• Provide expertise to develop training and education programs on the safety and health hazards found in the workplace particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to general industry and construction hazards including but not limited to occupational asthma, toxic exposures, fatalities, musculoskeletal disorders, and pesticides, and provide expertise in communicating such information to employers and employees within construction and general industry.
  
  
• Coordinate and enhance training activities to inform employers and employees of specific safety and health hazards within their occupations.
  
  
• Increase the use of OSHA’s, Maine 21(d)’s and MORA’s technical and educational assistance to employers and employees throughout Maine.

OSHA, Maine 21(d) and MORA will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:

• 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; Maine 21(d)’s and MORA’s Web sites) to employers and employees within construction and general industry.
  
  
• Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA, Maine 21(d) and MORA conferences, local meetings, or other safety and health related events.
  
  
• Share information on best practices and effective approaches as jointly determined by OSHA, Maine 21(d) and MORA with others within construction and general industry and publicize the results through outreach by OSHA, Maine 21(d) and MORA.
  
  
• Work with OSHA, Maine 21(d) and MORA on specific issues and projects that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.

OSHA, Maine 21(d) and MORA will work together to achieve the following goals related to promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:

• Raise others’ awareness of and demonstrate their own commitment to workplace safety and health whenever OSHA, Maine 21(d) or MORA leaders address groups.
  
  
• Develop and disseminate case studies illustrating the business value of safety and health and publicize their results.
  
  
• Identify areas of concern of employers and employees which could be addressed by OSHA, Maine 21(d) or MORA to improve the safety and health culture in Maine and the nation.

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 quarterly to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance.

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.