AGREEMENT TO ESTABLISH AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
AIR CANADA, AIRTRAN AIRWAYS, ALASKA AIRLINES, AMERICAN AIRLINES, AMERICAN TRANS AIR, AMERICA WEST AIRLINES, CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, DELTA AIR LINES, JETBLUE AIRWAYS, MIDWEST EXPRESS AIRLINES, SOUTHWEST AIRLINES, UNITED AIRLINES, U.S. AIRWAYS AND INTERNATIONAL AIR TRANSPORT SECTION OF THE NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and "The Airline Group" comprised of Air Canada, AirTran Airways, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, American Trans Air, America West Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Midwest Express Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and U.S. Airways, and in affiliation with International Air Transport Section of the National Safety Council, recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful workplaces. OSHA and The Airline Group therefore agree to form an Alliance to use their collective expertise to help advance a culture of prevention while sharing best practices and technical knowledge, especially in the area of ergonomics.

OSHA and The Airline Group agree to establish an Alliance addressing ergonomic issues related to the handling of passenger checked baggage through exploring methods of promoting communication, outreach, training, education and a national dialogue.

OSHA and The Airline Group will work together over the next year to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:

• Review and provide input on way to improve OSHA's eTool.
   
• Conduct a one-day seminar for participating airlines, as well as any other interested aviation participants, on OSHA's VPP process.
   
• Conduct a one-day seminar with airline and OSHA personnel to provide information and to discuss ergonomic issues, solutions and limitations related to handling passenger checked baggage.

OSHA and The Airline Group will work together over the next year to achieve the following goal related to promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:

• Educate interested parties on and solicit ideas for improvement of ergonomics associated with the handling of checked baggage during a national safety related conference, such as the National Safety Congress and Exposition.

OSHA and The Airline Group will work together over the next year to achieve the following training and education goal:

• Develop a biomechanics training module for employees handling checked baggage and make it available free-of-charge to all airlines and OSHA.

An implementation team made up of representatives of all organizations will meet to develop a plan of action to accomplish the above goals, 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. OSHA will afford the opportunity for representatives of the Occupational Safety and Health State Plan Association and the association of state Consultation Projects to participate as well.

This agreement will remain in effect for one year from the date of signing and will automatically be renewed annually thereafter. Once the above goals have been met or at the end of one year, whichever comes first, representatives of all organizations will meet to review the Alliance and consider additional goals. This agreement may be modified at any time with the concurrence of all signatories and may be terminated by any individual signatory for any reason with 30 days written notice to the other signatories, provided such termination shall be effective only with respect to the terminating party.