NAWIC - Alliance Agreement - August 21, 2013


AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION


The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. To that end, OSHA and NAWIC hereby form an Alliance to provide NAWIC's members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them (1) protect the health and safety of workers, particularly by reducing and preventing exposure to ergonomic hazards, sanitation hazards, and issues related to personal protective equipment selection in the construction industry with focus on a subset of construction workers with unique needs, and (2) understand the rights of workers and the responsibilities of employers under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and NAWIC recognize that OSHA's State Plan and On-site Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

Raising Awareness of OSHA's Rulemaking and Enforcement Initiatives

The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following goals related to raising awareness of OSHA's rulemaking and enforcement initiatives:

  • To convene or participate in forums, roundtable discussions, or stakeholder meetings on construction industry hazards and issues to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.

Training and Education

The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following training and education goal:

  • To develop effective training and education programs for women in the construction industry regarding ergonomics, sanitation hazards, and the selection of PPE, and to communicate such information to employers and workers.

Outreach and Communication

The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:

  • To develop information on the recognition and prevention of ergonomic hazards, sanitation hazards, and issues related to personal protective equipment selection in the industry and to develop ways of communicating such information (e.g., print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools, and OSHA's and NAWIC's Web sites) to employers and workers in the construction industry.
  • To speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or NAWIC's conferences, local meetings, or other events.

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 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 three times per year to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance. OSHA team members will include representatives of the Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, the Directorate of Construction, and any other appropriate offices. OSHA will encourage State Plan States' and OSHA On-site 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 written concurrence of both signatories.

Signed this 21st day of August, 2013.


David Michaels, PhD, MPH
Assistant Secretary of Labor for
Occupational Safety and Health


Date


Cindy Johnsen
President
National Association of Women in Construction


Date