The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the ABC Workers' Compensation Trust recognize the value of
establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safety and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and the ABC Workers'
Compensation Trust, therefore, agree to form an alliance to increase ergonomic awareness and to use their collective
expertise to foster a culture of ergonomic injury prevention while sharing technical knowledge and best practices, as jointly
agreed upon by OSHA and the ABC Workers Compensation trust.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the ABC Workers' Compensation Trust agree to establish an
alliance to promote safe and healthful working conditions for ABC members and others located in Upstate New York by:
- Providing ABC Workers' Compensation Trust members with information and guidance that will help them protect employees'
health and safety by reducing and/or preventing exposure to ergonomic hazards on the jobsite;
- Reaching out to members who may benefit from mentoring or guidance in developing, implementing, or improving ergonomic
programs;
- Sharing information on best practices as agreed upon by OSHA and the ABC Trust, of ABC Trust members with other employers
in the industry through outreach, training programs, materials developed by OSHA, the ABC Worker's Compensation Trust, and/or
others;
- Raising awareness through presentations by ABC Workers' Compensation Trust and OSHA leaders and /or member companies of
positive and successful worksite examples in the area of workplace safety, particularly in regards to ergonomics; and
- Participating in quarterly safety summit meetings held by the ABC Workers' Compensation Trust and OSHA in order to review
examples of best practices as agreed upon by OSHA and the ABC Trust, mentioned above.
OSHA and the ABC Workers' Compensation Trust will work together to achieve the following education, outreach and
communication goals:
- Seek opportunities to jointly develop and disseminate information at events, Trust meetings, and through bulletins,
e-mail, or printed material including links from OSHA's and other reference websites;
- Seek opportunities to speak or appear at local meetings to discuss the effectiveness of and promote the use of ergonomic
programs;
- Cross-train OSHA personnel and ABC Workers' Compensation Trust personnel regarding ergonomic best practices or programs
as jointly agreed upon by OSHA and the Trust;
- Promote and encourage ABC Workers' Compensation Trust members' participation in cooperative programs such as compliance
assistance and VPP; and
- Develop and deliver training and education programs on pertinent ergonomic issues
OSHA and the ABC Workers' Compensation Trust will work together to promote the national dialogue on workplace safety on
construction sites, in particular, dealing with ergonomic issues by:
- Encouraging the ABC Workers' Compensation Trust members and worksites to act as industry liaisons and resources for OSHA's
cooperative programs and compliance assistance specialists;
- Having ABC Workers' Compensation Trust help make the business case for promoting sound ergonomic programs by sharing
information supporting the solutions to ergonomic hazards developed by the ABC Workers' Compensation Trust as well as
examples of hazard recognition strategies and analytical tools, with OSHA and others in the industry to encourage
industry-wide implementation.
- Promoting hazard recognition strategies and analytical tools through electronic media, discussion at conferences, articles,
etc; and
- Convening or participating in meetings or roundtable discussions on ergonomic programs that could be held independently or
in conjunction with the safety summit meetings to help forge innovative solutions to ergonomic issues at the construction
worksite.
OSHA and the ABC Worker's Compensation Trust will also work together through this alliance to:
- Develop trust and cooperative relationships between OSHA and other Department of Labor agencies.
- Network with others committed to workplace safety and health, particularly dealing with ergonomic issues.
- Leverage resources to maximize greater worker safety and health protection, especially in the ergonomic area.
- Gain recognition as proactive leaders in safety and health in New York State.
The implementation team will be made up of representatives of both organizations, and will meet to develop a plan of action,
determine working procedures, and identify the roles and responsibilities of the participants. In addition, this
implementation team will meet on a regular basis, at least quarterly, to track and share information on activities and
results in achieving the goals of the alliance.
The agreement will remain in effect for 2 years from the date of signing. This agreement may be modified at any time with the
concurrence of both signatories and may be terminated for any reason within 30 days written notice from either signatory.
Charles Reller Date
Administrator
ABC Workers Compensation Trust |
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Patricia K. Clark
Region II Administrator
Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
John Tomich
Area Director, Albany Area Office
Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
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Arthur Dube
Area Director, Buffalo Area Office
Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
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Diane Brayden
Date
Area Director, Syracuse Area Office
Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
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Diana Cortez
Area Director, Tarrytown Area Office
Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
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