AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN

THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
CHICAGO AREA OFFICES
AND

RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYERS COUNCIL
AND

CHICAGO & NORTHEAST ILLINOIS DISTRICT
COUNCIL OF CARPENTERS APPRENTICE & TRAINING PROGRAM
AND

ONSITE SAFETY AND HEALTH CONSULTATION PROGRAM, IL DCEO

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), The Residential Construction Employers Council (RCEC), the Chicago & Northeast Illinois District Council of Carpenters Apprentice & Training Program (Carpenters), and the Onsite Safety and Health Consultation Program, IL DCEO (Onsite Consultation), recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA, the RCEC, the Carpenters, and the Onsite Consultation hereby form an Alliance to provide residential contractors in the state of Illinois with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees’ health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to safety and health hazards found in the residential construction industry.

OSHA, the RCEC, the Carpenters and Onsite Consultation will work together to achieve the following training and education goals:

• Develop training and education programs on health and safety issues to improve awareness of OSHA regulations, safety and health management systems, and cooperative programs.
  
  
• Deliver or arrange for the delivery of safety and health courses for employees and supervisors working in the various areas covered by this alliance.
  
  
• Improve the safety and health performance of employers that receive outreach, training, or other assistance services (i.e., mentoring, on-site consultation, hazard identification).

OSHA, the RCEC, the Carpenters and Onsite Consultation will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:

• Develop and disseminate information through written publications and electronic media.
  
  
• Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA, RCEC, and Consultation Program conferences, local meetings, or other events.
  
  
• Promote and encourage participation in OSHA’s cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Program, Consultation, and the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.
  
  
• Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects as they relate to occupational safety and health and that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.

OSHA, the RCEC, the Carpenters and the Onsite Consultation will work together to achieve the following goals related to promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:

• Develop and disseminate case studies illustrating the business value of safety and health and publicize their results.
  
  
• Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on safety and health issues impacting Illinois residential contractors 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 all three 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 three years. 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.