Through the Alliance, OSHA and the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) are committed to providing IDFA members and the public with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help protect the health and safety of the workers in the dairy processing industry, and increase understanding of the rights of workers and responsibilities of employers under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The Alliance will address the control of hazardous energy, permit required confined spaces, heat stress, transportation hazards such as vehicle back-overs, and other hazards as appropriate.

The goals of the Alliance include:

Raising Awareness: Outreach and Communication

• Share information on OSHA’s national initiatives (Emphasis Programs, Regulatory Agenda, Outreach), and opportunities to participate in initiatives and the rulemaking process.
• Share information on occupational safety and health laws and standards, including the rights of workers and responsibilities of employers.
• Develop and disseminate information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, such as but not limited to, vehicle back-overs and gaining safe access for personnel to the top of tank trucks.
• Speak, exhibit, participate, or appear at OSHA and IDFA conferences, local meetings, roundtable discussions, or other industry-sponsored events and meetings to share information among OSHA personnel, IDFA, and industry safety and health professionals.
• Encourage worker participation in workplace safety and health by seeking front-line workers’ input and feedback on Alliance activities through IDFA regulatory committees (through member companies’ EHS professionals) and dedicated Alliance page on IDFA website.
• Collaborate with other Alliance participants to gather best practices on common issues and emphasis areas that impact food manufacturers.
• Encourage IDFA members and other industry stakeholders to build relationships with OSHA’s Regional and Area Offices and State Plans, and to utilize OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program to promote health and safety in the dairy processing industry.

Training and Education

• Contribute knowledge and information to OSHA Compliance Officers on hazards and operations unique to the dairy processing industry through collaborative training opportunities.