Alliance -- An OSHA Cooperative Program<< Back to Region I

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Region I and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. To that end, OSHA and the NFPA hereby form an Alliance to mutually provide NFPA members, OSHA Staff, and others with information, guidance and access to training resources that will help them protect the health and safety of workers, particularly by reducing and preventing exposure to recognized electrical hazards in the workplace, and understanding the rights of workers and the responsibilities of employers under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act). In developing this Alliance, OSHA and the NFPA recognize that OSHA’s State Plan and On-site Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

Raising Awareness of OSHA’s Rulemaking and Enforcement Initiatives

The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following goals related to raising awareness of OSHA’s rulemaking and enforcement initiatives as well as the NFPA’s consensus standards:
  • To convene or participate in forums, roundtable and other discussions, or stakeholder meetings on safe electrical work practices issues to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace and to provide input on safety and health issues.
Training and Education

The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following training and education goals:
  • To develop effective training and education programs for workers and apprentices in the electrical industry regarding electrical systems safety within General Industry, and to communicate such information to constituent employers and workers.
  • To deliver or arrange for the delivery of electrical safe work practices courses.
Outreach and Communication

The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:
  • To develop information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and to develop ways of communicating such information (e.g., print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools and OSHA’s and the NFPA Web sites) to employers and workers in the industry.
  • To speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA’s or the NFPA’s conferences, local meetings, or other round table or stakeholders events.
  • To share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding NFPA good practices or effective approaches through training programs, workshops, seminars and lectures (or any other applicable forum) developed by the participants.
OSHA’s Alliances provide parties an opportunity to participate in a voluntary cooperative relationship with OSHA for purposes such as raising awareness of OSHA’s rulemaking and enforcement initiatives, training and education, and outreach and communication. 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 or promoting, nor does it intend to endorse or promote, any of that party’s products or services.

An implementation team made up of representatives from each organization 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. OSHA team members will include representatives of the Regional Office, which is a signatory to the Alliance agreement, and of any other appropriate OSHA offices. OSHA will encourage State Plan State and OSHA On-site Consultation Project participation on this team.

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 written concurrence of both signatories.

Signed this 21st day of March, 2011



 
Marthe B. Kent
Regional Administrator
Occupational Safety and
Administration



 
James M. Shannon
President
National Fire Protection Association