AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION'S
MANHATTAN AREA OFFICE
THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
DIVISION OF SAFETY AND HEALTH ON-SITE CONSULTATION PROGRAM
AND
THE MANHATTAN HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

QUALITY FIRE PROTECTION, CONSULTANTS INC.

New York State Department of Labor Division of Safety and Health On-Site Consultation Program

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), The New York State On-Site Consultation Program (NYS Consultation) and Quality Fire - Protection Consultants Inc. (QFP) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces in New York City. OSHA and QFP hereby form an Alliance to provide building managers and others with information, guidance and access to resources regarding evacuation procedures emergency action planning and fire safety particularly in hi-rise buildings within New York City. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and QFP recognize that OSHA's State Plan and Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

OSHA, NYS Consultation & QFP will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:

• QFP will provide OSHA with opportunities to address building representatives in a non-enforcement forum to promote best practices for hi-rise evacuation procedures, emergency action planning and fire safety.
  
  
• Cross-train OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals in QFP best practices and effective approaches, as jointly determined by OSHA and QFP.
  
  
• Develop and disseminate information through print and electronic media, including tools and links from OSHA's and QFP's Web sites.
  
  
• Promote and encourage QFP worksites participation in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Program, Consultation and Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.

OSHA, NYS Consultation and QFP 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 commitment to workplace safety and health whenever QFP leaders address groups.
  
  
• Convene or participate in forum, round table discussions, or industry meetings on fire safety and evacuation procedure issues to forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.

The New York State Department of Labor's On-Site Consultation Program will provide resources, as necessary and available; to support the training and technical assistance needs for the participants of this Alliance. Such assistance may be in the form of either on-site or off-site safety and/or health consultations. All on-site consultation survey findings will be kept confidential, so long as the employer agrees to correct any serious hazards that may be identified. There are no costs to the employer for the assistance provided by the On-site Consultation Program under this agreement.

OSHA's Alliance s 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 organizations will meet as needed to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance. OSHA will encourage State Plan States and OSHA Consultation Projects' participation on the team.

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