AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
THE INTERNATIONAL WAREHOUSE LOGISTICS ASSOCIATION

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and IWLA hereby form an Alliance to provide IWLA members and others, including owners and operators of public warehouses and other third-party warehouses; with information, guidance, and access to training resources. Through the Alliance, the organizations will help to protect employees' health and safety, including hard-to-reach and youth workers, by addressing material handling, forklift safety and Hazard Communication (HAZCOM). In developing the Alliance, OSHA and IWLA recognize that OSHA's State Plan and Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

OSHA and IWLA will work together to achieve the following training and education goal:

• Develop and make available training and education programs on material handling, forklift safety, HAZCOM and other health and safety issues targeted to the unique issues in the public warehouse industry.

OSHA and IWLA will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:

• Develop safety and health assistance tools for the warehouse industry, including:
  • Safety and health inspection checklist for warehouse managers.
  • Work with OSHA to provide expertise on the development of an eTool for the warehouse industry.
• Disseminate information through print and electronic media including newsletters and links from OSHA's and IWLA's Web sites.
   
• Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA and IWLA educational seminars, chapter meetings and other events including IWLA's annual conference.
   
• Promote and encourage IWLA's members' participation in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Programs, Consultation and its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.
   
• Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects, including warehouse material handling, forklift safety and HAZCOM, that are addressed and developed through the Alliance program.
   
• Increase hard-to-reach and youth workers' access to safety and health information and training resources, including developing and providing materials in Spanish, through community based organizations.

OSHA and IWLA will work together to achieve the following goals related to promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:

• Raise awareness of and demonstrate commitment to workplace safety and health whenever IWLA leaders address groups.
   
• Develop and disseminate case studies illustrating the business value of safety and health programs such as warehouse material handling and forklift safety.
   
• Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on warehouse safety and health issues such as material handling, forklift safety and HAZCOM issues to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace.

OSHA's Alliances provide parties an opportunity to participate in a voluntary cooperative relationship with OSHA for purposes such as training and education, outreach and communication and promoting a national dialogue on workplace safety and health. 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 any of that party's products or services; nor does the Agency enter into an Alliance with the purpose of promoting a particular party's products or services.

An implementation team made up of representatives of both organizations will meet to develop a plan of action, determine working procedures, and identify the roles and responsibilities of the participants. In addition, they will meet at least quarterly to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance. Team members will include representatives of OSHA's Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs and any other appropriate offices. OSHA will encourage State Plan States' and OSHA Consultation Projects' participation on the team.

This agreement will remain in effect for two years. Either 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 concurrence of both signatories.