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OSHA and Northern Marianas Alliance for Safety and Health
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On October 10, 2002, the Occupational Safety & Heath Administration (OSHA) Region 9; the OSHA Region 9 Education Center, University of California San Diego; the Northern Marianas College (NMC); the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Office of the Governor, Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ); the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Department of Labor, Immigration, and Employment Services (DOLIES); the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Department of Public Safety (DPS); the Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association (SGMA); the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands (HANMI); the Saipan Contractors Association; and the Saipan Chamber of Commerce formed the Northern Marianas Alliance for Safety and Health.

The goal of the alliance was to promote awareness and knowledge of safety and health through the joint efforts of the participants. The primary emphasis was on the delivery of safety and health training and education for the benefit of employers and employees in the Marianas Islands. The alliance focused on the following: training and education, best practices, workplace models of excellence in safety and health, effective communications with immigrant workforce, and the development of safety and health professionals on the island.

OSHA Region IX has decided to conclude the Alliance as of July 31, 2009. OSHA and the alliance members will continue to work together through other avenues to promote awareness and knowledge of safety and health.

A number of successes resulted from the organizations' work together to meet the agreement's goals:
*The Alliance members organized the Governor's First Annual Conference on Safety and Health. The conference was held August 19-22, 2003. The sessions covered a wide range of topics such as: water quality, blood borne pathogens, severe acute respiratory syndrome, hazardous materials, construction safety, garment factory compliance, recordkeeping, and homeland security. In addition, First Aid/CPR classes were offered in the Mandarin language. Outdoor laboratories were also set up for trenching and excavation and scaffolding safety demonstrations.

* The Alliance members organized the Governor's Second Annual Conference on Safety and Health. The conference was held August 17-20, 2004.

* The Alliance members organized the Governor's Third Annual Conference on Safety and Health. The conference was held August 8-12, 2005.