AGREEMENT RENEWING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
AIRLINES FOR AMERICA; ALASKA AIRLINES;
AMERICAN AIRLINES; ENVOY AIR INC; DAL GLOBAL SERVICES, LLC;
DELTA AIR LINES, INC.; G2 SECURE STAFF, LLC; HAWAIIAN AIRLINES; HORIZON AIR; INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MACHINISTS AND AEROSPACE WORKERS; JETBLUE AIRWAYS; MENZIES AVIATION;
REGIONAL AIRLINE ASSOCIATION; SKYWEST AIRLINES;
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES; TRANSPORT WORKERS UNION; UNITED AIRLINES; VIRGIN GALACTIC

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Airlines for America; Alaska Airlines; American Airlines; DAL Global Services, LLC; Delta Air Lines, Inc; Envoy Air Inc.; G2 Secure Staff, LLC; Hawaiian Airlines; Horizon Air; International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers; JetBlue Airways; Menzies Aviation; Regional Airline Association; SkyWest Airlines; Southwest Airlines; Transport Workers Union; United Airlines; and Virgin Galactic (collectively, "the Airline Ground Safety Panel" (AGSP) - formerly the Airline Group) continue to recognize the value of maintaining a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces.  To that end, OSHA and the Airline Ground Safety Panel hereby renew the Alliance signed May 20, 2008, and renewed on October 10, 2012, to continue to provide AGSP members, ground crew contract firms, ground crew unions and workers, and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help protect the health and safety of workers, particularly by addressing:  1) injuries during operation of ground support equipment (GSE) with a focus on seat belt usage; 2) new and emerging hazards 3) slips, trips and falls; 4) ergonomic hazards; 5) extreme temperatures; and 6) understanding the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act).

The Alliance will use relevant data, such as injury and illness data, workers' compensation experience, non-injury incident data, and data on known and suspected exposure to hazards in airline ground operations to help identify areas of emphasis for Alliance awareness, outreach, and communication.  AGSP member data shall continue to be deidentified as to submitting entities. The Alliance will also explore and implement selected options to evaluate the effectiveness of the Alliance and measure the impact of its efforts to improve workplace safety and health for employers and workers.  In renewing this Alliance, OSHA and AGSP recognize that OSHA's State Plan and On-site Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort, and that information about the products and the activities of the Alliance may be shared with these partners for the advancement of common goals.

Objectives

Training and Education

AGSP participants intend to work together on the following training and education activities:  

1. Develop and disseminate Toolbox Talks on Extreme Temperatures (Heat and Cold).
2. Review and revise, as necessary, the existing Best Practice Fact Sheets, with a particular focus on the appropriate use of seat belts in ground support equipment. The review and revisions will be based on existing OSHA policies and other relevant information.
3. Develop and disseminate a Case Study on emerging workplace hazards based on incident and other relevant data.
4. Review existing case studies, toolbox talks, and other guidance products previously developed through the Alliance and, as needed, incorporate ergonomic guidance.

NOTE: The AGSP Alliance will explore the use of electronic media where it is feasible. (e.g., webinars, videos, etc.)

Outreach and Communication

AGSP participants intend to work together on the following outreach and communication activities:

1. Seek participation of additional industry stakeholders, including ground service providers and the union(s) representing their employees.
2. Provide opportunities for staffing an Alliance exhibit booth at Regional Airline Association Annual Conferences.     
3. Support and promote the Annual North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week.

Raising Awareness of OSHA's Rulemaking and Enforcement Initiatives

AGSP participants intend to work together on the following rulemaking and enforcement activities:

1. Disseminate information about OSHA initiatives, including rulemaking, enforcement activities, and others through AGSP webpages, newsletters, magazines, social media outlets, and similar tools. Special emphasis will be given to OSHA's recently-announced new reporting requirements.

Implementation

OSHA's Alliances provide parties an opportunity to participate in a voluntary cooperative relationship with OSHA for purposes such as raising awareness of OSHA's rulemaking and enforcement initiatives, training and education, and outreach and communication.  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 or promoting, nor does it intend to endorse or promote, any of that party's products or services.

An Implementation Team made up of representatives of each organization will meet with OSHA representatives at least twice a year, to direct and oversee the conduct and progress of the Alliance. OSHA team members will include representatives of appropriate national and/or field offices. 

The Implementation Team will develop a work plan with specific measurable objectives.  The plan will identify working procedures, roles and responsibilities of the participants, and set timelines and completion dates for key steps.  The plan will also include provision for developing and implementing methods to evaluate the impact of the Alliance's products, events and activities on the reduction of health and safety hazards in airline ground operations.

This agreement will remain in effect for five (5) 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 written concurrence of all signatories.

Signed this 8th day of April, 2015.