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STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
BILLINGS, MONTANA AREA OFFICE

AND

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE,
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
 
Article I. Purpose/Scope
In past years, the National Park Service (NPS) has experienced the highest employee injury and illness rates of all Department of Interior (DOI) bureaus. Recognizing this problem, the Glacier National Park approached the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Billings Area Office asking for assistance in improving their employee safety and health programs and reducing the employee injury and illness rates.

In FY 2003, the Glacier National Park and the Billings Area Office entered into a five year partnership to improve the safety and health programs and reduce employee injuries. In 2003 (Base Line) the TCIR was 13.0 and the DART was 5.1. At the conclusion of that partnership the TCIR was reduced 39% to 8.0 and the DART was reduced to 2.5, a 49% decrease.

Glacier National Park (the Park) and the Billings Area Office (BAO) agree to enter into a new three year partnership to continue reducing injuries and illnesses to Park employees.

As a result, Glacier National Park and OSHA enter into this new agreement pursuant to the authority of the NPS Organic Act of 1916, 16 U.S.C. 1-4, Sections 19 and 24 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, and Executive Order 12196 that allows OSHA to provide assistance to specific sites categorized as National Parks, National Recreation Areas, and National Seashores.


Article II. Goals/Strategies:
 
Goal Strategy Measure: Also see Article III for additional information
  1. Reduce the number of OSHA recordable employee injuries within the park by 15% for each year of this agreement.
     
 Track the number and types of employee injuries and illnesses in all areas of the Park using the OSHA 300 data, and the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) forms.
The Park will continuously evaluate and implement injury and illness abatement controls.		 Track and record any changes in injury statistics.

The Park will report quarterly, to the BAO, the number and types of employee injuries and illnesses.
 
  1. Establish Safety and Health programs that will meet the Risk Management Program Elements addressed in the NPS Directors Order 50B
     
 The Park will utilize the services of the NPS Regional Office in Denver for guidance in establishing, improving and implementing safety and health programs.

The Park will utilize the assistance of the Billings Area Office (BAO) for advice and consultation in the development of safety and health programs. 		The Park will periodically review programs and processes for improvements.

The Park will report semi-annually, to the BAO, additions and or improvements to their safety and health programs.
 


Article III. Performance Measures:
Glacier National Park (the Park) and the Billings Area Office (BAO) will evaluate the progress toward attaining the goals set forth in this partnership on a semi-annual basis using the participating member’s OSHA 300 forms, the OSHA 301 forms and their internal IMIS reporting guidelines while monitoring the Park’s workers compensation records for proper recording of injuries and illnesses. The Park will report to the Billings Area Office the progress toward reducing the number of injuries and illnesses for each of the participating companies for each year of this partnership. The data for the year 2008 will be used as the baseline for this partnership agreement. The Park will continuously review their safety and health programs for improvements.
  1. Reduce the number of OSHA recordable injuries related to the various work activities performed by employees within the Park:

    The Park will track and report to the Billings Area Office semi-annually the following:
    • Number of OSHA reportable injuries/illnesses.
    • Number of “near misses” reported by employees.
    • Number of in-house safety assessments conducted.
    • Number of hazards identified.
    • Number of hazards abated.
  2. Establish written Safety and Health programs as necessary.
    • OSHA will help identify programmatic needs by reviewing the safety
      and health programs and provide practical assistance in implementing
      these programs.
    • The Park will seek assistance and guidance on establishing, improving,
      and implementing safety and health programs.
    • The Park will provide OSHA with semi-annual progress reports on their safety and health programs.
       
Article IV. Annual Evaluation:
An annual evaluation of the Parks safety and health program and the progress toward the goals of this partnership will be conducted by both parties using the standardized OSHA Strategic Partnership Program (OSPP) Annual Partnership Evaluation Report as listed in Appendix C of the OSHA Strategic Partnership Program for Worker Safety and Health Directive, CSP 03-02-002.


Article V. Benefits:
OSHA Non-Enforcement Benefits:
  1. The Park will be recognized for its participation in the OSPP through:
    • The OSHA Cooperative Programs web page (www.osha.gov).
    • The Montana OSHA Compliance Assistance Network Newsletter.
    • Press releases to the local media.
       
  2. OSHA will provide outreach, technical assistance and training:
    • OSHA will provide training for the Parks’ employees and managers.
    • OSHA will be available to assist and review safety and health programs.
    • OSHA will provide assistance through phone, facsimile, email, brochures, newsletters, bulletins, and any other type of printed information available at the time of request.
    • OSHA will provide technical assistance necessary to accomplish the goals of this partnership.
    • OSHA personnel will be made available for workshops, speaking events,
      document reviews, and other information.
OSHA Enforcement Benefit:
  • The Park, upon entry into this partnership, will receive a six (6) month deferral from any OSHA Programmed Inspections.
All formal complaints, serious accidents, catastrophes, and fatalities will be inspected by OSHA
according to standard agency procedures.


Article VI. OSHA Verification:
Offsite Verification: The Park agrees to submit to OSHA the following documents for review:
On July 1, 2009 and semi-annually thereafter:
  • OSHA 300 data indicating employee injuries and illnesses.
  • First Report of Injury, OSHA 301 or equivalent.
  • Number of Near Misses reported.
  • Types of hazards identified on near miss reports.
  • Number of self- inspections performed.
  • Number of hazards identified as result of self inspections.
  • Number of hazards abated.
  • Number of training sessions conducted
  • Topic of training sessions conducted
  • Number of employees attending trained.
  • Number of Supervisors trained.
On the anniversary of the signing of this agreement and annually thereafter:
  • Updated Safety and Health Programs.
  • Partnership evaluation report.
     
Article VII. OSP Management and Operation:
Glacier National Park will ensure that all aspects and goals of this partnership will be accomplished
within the three year time frame. A steering committee to ensure the progress of this
partnership will be formed comprised of management, employees, and the Park safety office.

OSHA Billings Area Office will:
  • Provide training in the recognition and avoidance of safety and health hazards specific to the daily work activities performed by Park employees.
  • Provide training to Park employees and managers in the OSH Act and the OSHA rules and regulations.
  • Provide training and assistance to the Park’s employees in the development and implementation of effective safety and health programs.
  • Provide abatement assistance for any unique hazards identified by Park assessments and inspections and employees.
  • Provide priority safety and health assistance via telephone, fax, and electronic mail or by way of brochures, booklets and other types of available correspondence.
Glacier National Park will:
  • Solicit assistance from the NPS Intermountain Regional Office in developing
    written safety and health programs.
  • Implement a 3-year strategic action plan to meet the standards and assess the progress
    through an annual self-evaluation.
  • Commit to having Park employees and supervisors attend training provided by
    OSHA.
  • Ensure that Park supervisors and the Park Safety Department conduct safety audits.
  • Ensure abatement of all hazards identified by the safety audits.
  • Ensure employee participation in the safety audits.
  • Ensure that Park employees are not subject to restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal for filing a report of an unsafe or unhealthful working condition, or other participation in the Safety and Health Program.
The OSHA Billings Area Office representative will oversee the progress of this partnership through emails, phone calls, faxes, and occasional meetings with the Park.


Article VIII. Employee and Employer Rights and Responsibilities:
This partnership does not preclude employees and/or employers from exercising any right
provided under 29 CFR 1960, nor does it abrogate any responsibility to comply with the rules
and regulations adopted pursuant to the Act.


Article IX. Term of OSP:
This agreement will terminate on March 19, 2012, which is three years from the date of
signing. If any signatory of this agreement wishes to terminate their participation prior to the
established termination date, written notice of the intent to withdraw must be provided to all
other signatories. If OSHA chooses to withdraw its participation in the partnership, the entire
agreement is terminated. Any signatory may also propose modification or amendment of
the agreement.


Article X: Signatures:



 
Ross A. Yeager
OSHA, Area Director
Billings Area Office


 
Date



 
Chas Cartwright 
Superintendent
Glacier National Park


 
Date