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


The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJLWD) On-Site Consultation Program and the Gateway Chamber recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to help protect employee safety and health, prevent accidents and foster a culture of safe and healthy working environments. OSHA, the NJLWD and the Gateway Chamber hereby form an Alliance to use their collective expertise to provide leadership, guidance, information, technical knowledge and assistance to member organizations and the general public. Goals of this Alliance will be accomplished by encouraging development of safety and health programs, use of best practices, knowledge of specific OSHA standards, regulations, guidelines and procedures, and other general methods to improve workplace safety and health. Collectively, we will also strive to address emergent issues such as workplace violence, ergonomics and emergency preparedness. OSHA and the Gateway Chamber recognize that New Jersey's On-Site Consultation Program may assist in these efforts.

OSHA, the NJLWD and the Gateway Chamber will work together to achieve the following training and education goals:
  • Use collective expertise to develop training, informational and educational programs designed to promote and improve worker safety and health in Union County and facilitate communication between OSHA, the NJLWD and employers, especially smaller employers. These training and educational programs will focus primarily on enabling employers to better understand OSHA requirements in specific occupational safety and health subject areas. These may include recordkeeping requirements, walking and working surfaces, means of egress, flammable and combustible materials, personal protective equipment, machine guarding and lockout/tagout, material handling, electrical safety bloodborne pathogens and chemical hazard communication. Training will also enable employers to be aware of OSHA's enforcement procedures and participation in the various cooperative programs.
OSHA, the NJLWD and the Gateway Chamber will work together to achieve the following outreach and communications goals:
  • Work together and share expertise in developing information and outreach materials designed to enhance employer and employee recognition and prevention of workplace hazards. Develop ways of communicating this information to employers and employees in the Union County area through print and electronic media (including OSHA NJ E-Newsletters, compliance assistance tools, and OSHA's, NJLWD and Gateway Chamber's web sites).

  • Speak, exhibit or appear at Gateway Chamber conferences such as the annual Business Expo, monthly breakfast meetings, annual business events, special meetings at the Elizabeth, NJ Chamber offices and other specific events.

  • Promote and encourage Gateway Chamber members' awareness of and participation in OSHA's cooperative programs such as Alliances, Partnerships, the Voluntary Protection Program, Consultation, and the NJLWD Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).

  • Share information among Gateway Chamber members, OSHA personnel, the NJLWD and industry safety and health professionals, regarding effective approaches or best safety and health practices. Publicize results through outreach by the Gateway Chamber and through OSHA or Gateway Chamber-developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars, lectures, or any other applicable forum.

  • The Gateway Chamber will make a portion of their publications obtainable, on a space available basis, for safety and health education.

  • OSHA will give priority consideration to requests from Gateway Chamber members for speakers and presenters on matters regarding safety and health.
OSHA 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, 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 OSHA and the Gateway Chamber will conference to develop a plan of action and identify 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.

This agreement will remain in effect for two years from the date of signing. 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.

Signature date: __________________________________


For the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
 



 
Louis Ricca, Jr.
Acting Regional Administrator
Region II		      



 
Robert D. Kulick
Area Director
Avenel Area Office		      


For the NJLWD		      



 
Leonard Katz
Assistant Director, Labor Standards and Enforcement
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development		      


For the Gateway Chamber		      



 
James Coyle
President