AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE

BETWEEN

THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR – OSHA REGION V
CLEVELAND AREA OFFICE


AND

OHIO BUREAU OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
OSHA ON-SITE CONSULTATION


AND

COUNCIL OF SMALLER ENTERPRISES, COSE

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), The State of Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), Division of Safety and Hygiene, Ohio OSHA On-Site Consultation and The Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA, BWC, On-Site Consultation and COSE hereby form an Alliance to provide COSE member companies with information, guidance and access to training resources that will help them protect employees’ health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing deaths and serious injuries from falls, electrical, struck-by, caught-in and other hazards related to manufacturing, service and construction work performed by these companies.

OSHA, BWC, On-Site Consultation and COSE will work together to achieve the following training and education goal:

• Work together to provide expertise to develop safety and health training and education programs for member companies’ employees in manufacturing, service and construction industries, and to provide expertise in communicating such information to employers and employees in each industry.

OSHA, BWC, On-Site Consultation and COSE will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:

• Work together to provide expertise in developing information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards for employees, and to provide expertise in developing ways of communicating such information to employers in manufacturing, service and construction industries (e.g. print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools and OSHA’s, BWC’s, On-Site Consultation’s, and COSE’s websites).
• Share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding best practices and success stories, and publicize results through developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars and lectures (or any other appropriate forum or medium).
• Promote and encourage member companies’ participation in OSHA’s cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP), OSHA On-Site Consultation and its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).
• Encourage member companies to build relationships with OSHA’s Regional and Ohio Area Offices, as well as the Ohio BWC and On-Site Consultation Program to address health and safety issues.

OSHA, BWC, On-Site Consultation and COSE will work together to achieve the following goals related to promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:

• Raise industry awareness of and demonstrate OSHA’s, BWC’s, On-Site Consultation’s and COSE’s commitment to workplace safety and health whenever OSHA, BWC, On-Site Consultation and COSE leaders address groups.
• Develop and disseminate success stories illustrating the purpose and business value of a member company’s commitment to employee safety and health.
• Convene or participate in forums, round-table discussions or industry meetings on small business safety issues to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input and guidance on small business 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. Additionally, by entering into an Alliance with a party, BWC is not endorsing any of that party’s products or services; nor does BWC enter into an Alliance with the purpose of promoting a particular party’s products or services.

An implementation team made up of representatives of all 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.

This agreement will remain in effect for two years. Any signatory may withdraw from 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.