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AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
REGION VII
AND
THE POPCORN BOARD
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and The Popcorn Board recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful workplaces. OSHA Region VII and The Popcorn Board therefore agree to form an Alliance to use their collective expertise to help foster a culture of prevention while sharing best practices and technical knowledge.

OSHA Region VII is comprised of the State of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Federal OSHA has responsibility for worker safety and health in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska while the State of Iowa operates its own job safety and health program under federal direction.

OSHA and The Popcorn Board agree to establish an Alliance to promote safe and healthful working conditions for the employees of the microwave packaging industry by:
  • Providing member companies of The Popcorn Board with information and guidance that will help them protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing the incidence of obstructive lung disease in the workplace.
  • Increasing access to safety and health information and training resources.
OSHA and The Popcorn Board will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals for its member companies within jurisdiction boundaries of OSHA Region VII:
  • Using a mailing list provided by The Popcorn Board of member companies engaged in microwave popcorn packaging, OSHA will forward to them recent information on the potential adverse health effects of employees exposure to artificial butter flavoring compounds.
  • The mailing will also include information to assist employers in recognizing and evaluating the development of obstructive lung disease among exposed employees.
  • In addition, the mailing will provide jointly developed best practice approaches for the safe handling of artificial butter flavoring compounds in the manufacturing process through the use of engineering and administrative controls.
  • Representatives of The Popcorn Board will review and provide comment and input on a draft OSHA "Hazard Information Bulletin" to be developed by OSHA for internal distribution to it's compliance officers in the field.
An implementation team made up of representatives of both organizations will develop a plan of action, determine working procedures, and identify the roles and responsibilities of the participants. Members of the team will, on at least a quarterly basis, track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance.

Team members will include representatives of OSHA's Kansas City Regional and Area Offices. Representatives of state Consultation Projects within OSHA's Kansas City Region will be offered the opportunity to participate, as will representatives of the Iowa State Plan. Members of The Popcorn Board will be those designated by the Board.


______________________________________________
Charles E. Adkins, CIH
Regional Administrator
Region VII
Occupational Safety and Health Administration

September 22, 2002


___________________________________
Deirdre T. Flynn
Association Executive
The Popcorn Board

September 22, 2002