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


The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Local 38 Sheet Metal Workers Union (Local 38) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and Local 38 hereby form an Alliance to provide Local 38 members 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 hazards associated with sheet metal work including, but not limited to:
  • exposure to harmful substances such as lead, silica, and asbestos
  • harmful environmental conditions such as excessive noise and heat
  • fall protection issues such as working from aerial and scissor lifts, scaffolding, ladders, and working near open sided-platforms and floor openings
  • hazards associated with welding
  • hazards associated with working near or around energized electrical circuits
  • and hazards associated with unguarded machinery such as power brakes and shears, metal –forming machines, other point-of-operation hazards.
In developing this Alliance, OSHA and Local 38 recognize that OSHA's State Plan and Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

OSHA and Local 38 will work together to achieve the following training and education goals:
  • Provide expertise to develop training and education programs for Local 38 members regarding hazards associated with sheet metal work, as indicated above, and to provide expertise in communicating such information to employers and employees in the industry.
OSHA and Local 38 will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:
  • Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or Local 38's local meetings, or other safety-related events.

  • Promote and encourage Local 38 members' or worksites' participation in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Program, Consultation, and the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.
OSHA and Local 38 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 or Local 38 representatives address groups.

  • Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings sheet metal work issues to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.
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 three times per year to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance. At least one of the annual Implementation Team meetings will be in person.

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 both signatories.

Signed this 14th day of March, 2008:
 



 
Louis Ricca, Jr.
Acting Regional Administrator
OSHA Region II		  


 
Robert J. Dutra
Director of Training
Sheet Metal Worker's Local 38		  



 
Diana Cortez
Area Director
OSHA Tarrytown Area Office 		 


 
Edward Jerome
Area Director
OSHA Albany Area Office