The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Georgia Utility Contractors Association, Inc. (GUCA), Georgia Hispanic Contractors Association (GHCA), Georgia Institute of Technology –Safety, Health, and Environmental Technology Division (Georgia Tech) and the Metro Area Fire Departments¹ recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster a safer and more healthful workplace. OSHA, GUCA, GHCA, Georgia Tech and the Metro Area Fire Departments in this document shall hereafter be referred to as the Safety Awareness Facilitation Education (S.A.F.E.) Alliance. The goal of the S.A.F.E. Alliance is to provide employers and employees in the construction and utility industries, as well as others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help protect their health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to trenching and excavation hazards. Members of the S.A.F.E. Alliance recognize that OSHA’s State Plan and Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

The S.A.F.E. Alliance will work to achieve the following safety and awareness training goals:

• Work with OSHA to provide expertise in the development or implementation of training and education programs for employers and employees in the construction and utility industries, as well as others focusing on the prevention of trenching and excavation hazards. Specific topics addressed in the training program will include excavation requirements, requirements for protective systems, the OSHA trenching and excavation inspection process, trenching and excavation emergency rescue operations, as well as other issues.

The S.A.F.E. Alliance will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:

• Work with OSHA to provide expertise in developing information on the recognition and prevention of trenching and excavation hazards in the construction and utility industries, and provide expertise in developing methods of communicating such information (e.g. print media and electronic media, electronic assistance tools and OSHA’s and other’s Web sites) to employers and employees in the construction and utility industries. The group will also explore the establishment of a S.A.F.E. web site with links to the web sites of OSHA, GUCA, GHCA, Georgia Tech as well as the Metro Area Fire Departments.
  
  
• Speak, exhibit, or appear at conferences, local meetings, and events such as health fairs, day laborer centers, as well as other safety events sponsored by the S.A.F.E. Alliance. The participation of OSHA in these events will be based on the availability of appropriate staff personnel. The objective during these events will include distribution of safety material and providing compliance assistance regarding trenching/excavation operations.
  
  
• Encourage the S.A.F.E. Alliance members to build relationships with OSHA’s Regional and Area Offices, and Consultation Projects to address health and safety issues, including alerting OSHA to unsafe excavation operations by providing referrals to local OSHA offices for uncorrected trenching hazards.

The S.A.F.E. Alliance will work together to achieve the following goals related to promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:

• Raise other’s awareness and demonstrate a commitment to workplace safety and health, by alerting community groups and small businesses to the hazards associated with trenching/excavation operations.
  
  
• Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or meetings on injury and fatality prevention for all workers.

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.

Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed so as to make any officer, agent, or employee of any participating organization the employee or agent of any other participating organization.

An implementation team made up of representatives from OSHA, GUCA, GHCA, Georgia Tech and the Metro Area Fire Departments will meet to develop a plan of action, determine working procedures, implement the group’s mission statement², and identify the roles and responsibilities of the participants. In addition, the team will meet at least three times per year to provide updates, track results and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance. Once the above goals have been met or at the end of one year, whichever comes first, the team will meet to review the Alliance and consider additional goals.

This agreement will remain in effect for one year from the date of signing and will automatically be renewed annually thereafter. This agreement may be modified at any time upon agreement by the team and may be terminated by any party upon providing 30 days written notice to the other parties.

¹City of Atlanta, Clayton County, Cobb County, Dekalb County, Fulton County and Gwinnett County Fire Departments

²The S.A.F.E. Alliance mission statement:

To facilitate the development of programs and resources, through education and communication, within the working community, in order to reduce jobsite injuries and fatalities. Thus enabling positive economic growth, and improving the delivery of quality services.