AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
HOUSTON NORTH AREA OFFICE
AND
HOUSTON SOUTH AREA OFFICE
AND
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE OSHCON
AND
GREATER HOUSTON STEPS NETWORK

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), The Texas Department of Insurance – OSHCON (OSHCON) and the Greater Houston STEPS Network recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces.  OSHA, OSHCON, and the Greater Houston STEPS Network hereby form an Alliance to provide Greater Houston STEPS Network members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees’ health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to hazards through forums, training, and comprehensive safety and health programs addressing hazards in the oil and gas exploration, production, and servicing industry.  In developing this Alliance, OSHA, OSHCON, and the Greater Houston STEPS Network recognize that OSHA's State Plan and Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

OSHA, OSHCON, and the Greater Houston STEPS Network will work together to achieve the following training and education goals:

• Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop training and education programs for oil and gas exploration and production companies regarding safety and health programs, and to provide expertise in communicating such information to employers and employees in the industry.
• Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop workplace safety and health information for oil and gas exploration, production, and serving companies in the Greater Houston area. 

OSHA, OSHCON, and the Greater Houston STEPS Network 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 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 any applicable industry Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry. 
• Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or Greater Houston STEPS Network conferences, local meetings, or other events. 
• Promote and encourage Greater Houston STEPS Network members’ or worksites’ participation in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Program, Consultation, and the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.

OSHA, OSHCON, and Greater Houston STEPS Network will work together to achieve the following 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 whenever Greater Houston STEPS Network leaders address groups. 
• 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 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.  Team members will include a representative of OSHA's Houston North Area Office.  In addition, they will meet at least three times per year to track and shareinformation on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance.  OSHA will encourage State Plan States’ and OSHA Consultation Projects’ participation on the team.

This agreement will remain in effect for two 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.

Signed on September 21, 2010 in the City of Humble, Texas