The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System on behalf of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Center for Ergonomics (UWM) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and UWM hereby commit to the establishment of an alliance under this Agreement for the sharing of information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help workplaces protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to ergonomic hazards and addressing ergonomic issues. In developing this Alliance Agreement, OSHA and UWM recognize that OSHA's State Plan and Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort. This Agreement shall be effective upon the date of full execution by the authorized representative of both parties.

OSHA and UWM will work together to achieve the following training and education goals:

• Provide expertise to develop training and education programs for health and safety professionals regarding ergonomics hazards and issues, and to provide expertise in communicating such information to employers and employees in industry.
• Deliver or arrange for the delivery of safe patient handling and movement courses.

OSHA and UWM will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:

• Provide expertise in developing information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and to provide expertise in developing ways of communicating such information (e.g. print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools and OSHA's and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Center for Ergonomics websites) to employers and employees in industry.
• Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or the Wisconsin Council for Safety conferences.
• Share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding safe patient handling best practices and publicize results through outreach by the delivery of a Safe Patient Handling conference.
• Work with employers to identify and resolve ergonomic issues through the delivery of ergonomics services.

OSHA and UWM will work together to achieve the following goals related to promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:

• Develop and disseminate case studies and other information that illustrates the business value of safety and health and publicize these results.
• Participate in stakeholder meetings on ergonomics related issues in health care and the service and manufacturing industries to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.

This Agreement is intended to advance an opportunity to participate in a voluntary cooperative relationship for purposes such as training and education, outreach and communication and promoting a national dialogue on workplace safety and health. By entering into this Agreement, OSHA is not endorsing any UWM services or products that it may make available to those that UWM serves; nor does UWM enter into this Agreement with the purpose of promoting any particular products or services, except the delivery of educational offerings.

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. Team members will include representatives of OSHA's Region V. 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. Either signatory may terminate it for any reason at any time, provided 30 days written notice is given. This agreement may be modified at any time with the concurrence of both signatories.