AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
THE MASON CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and MCAA hereby form an Alliance to provide MCAA's members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to wall bracing, fall protection, scaffolding, and forklift safety hazards. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and MCAA recognize that OSHA's State Plan and Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

OSHA and MCAA will work together to achieve the following training and education goals:

• Develop training and education programs on wall bracing, scaffolding, fall protection, and forklift safety issues targeted to mason contractors and their employees.
• Deliver or arrange for the delivery of scaffolding, wall bracing and fall protection courses.
• Develop workplace safety and health curricula on forklift safety.

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

• Develop and disseminate information through print and electronic media, including electronic tools and links from OSHA's and MCAA's Web sites.
• Speak, exhibit, or appear at MCAA conferences, local meetings, or other chapter or national association events.
• Cross-train OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals in MCAA's best practices or effective approaches, as jointly determined by OSHA and MCAA.
• Promote and encourage MCAA members' participation in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, such as Partnerships, the Voluntary Protection Programs and Consultation and its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.
• Share information on best practices, as jointly determined by OSHA and MCAA, of MCAA worksites with others in the industry and publicize the results through outreach by MCAA and through OSHA- or MCAA-developed training programs and materials.
• Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects on fall protection, wall bracing, scaffolding, and forklift safety that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.
• Encourage MCAA chapters and/or contractors to build relationships with OSHA's Regional and Area Offices to address health and safety issues, including fall protection, scaffolding, wall bracing and forklift safety.

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

• Raise others' awareness of and demonstrate their own commitment to workplace safety and health whenever MCAA leaders address groups.
• Develop and disseminate case studies illustrating the business value of safety and health and publicize their results.
• Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on wall bracing, forklift safety, fall protection and scaffolding issues to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.

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 Construction, 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.