The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and American Warehouse Systems recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and American Warehouse Systems hereby form an Alliance to provide information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing warehouse related injuries and illnesses.

OSHA and American Warehouse Systems will work together to achieve the following training and education goals:

• Develop warehouse safety and health training materials and educational programs on best practice standards and guidelines.
   
• Deliver or arrange for the delivery of the courses.

OSHA and American Warehouse Systems will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:

• Communicate the training and educational materials to employers and employees, to implement the best practice standards and guidelines.
   
• Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or American Warehouse Systems conferences, local meetings, or other training events.
   
• Disseminate information, training materials, and programs through print and electronic media, including links to OSHA's and American Warehouse Systems web sites.
   
• Share information on best practices and effective approaches, as jointly determined by OSHA and American Warehouse Systems, with others in the industry via conferences, training sessions, or other events.

OSHA and American Warehouse Systems will work together to achieve the following common 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 when American Warehouse Systems leaders address groups.
   
• Develop and disseminate case studies illustrating the business value of employee safety and health.
   
• Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on safety and health 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 Alliances 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 as needed to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance.

This written understanding acknowledges the relationship set out above. It will remain in effect for two years from the date of the last signature: Either signatory may terminate it for any reason at any time, provided they give 30 days written notice. This understanding may be modified at any time with the concurrence of both signatories.