AGREEMENT RENEWING THE ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
AIR CANADA, AIRTRAN AIRWAYS, ALASKA AIRLINES, AMERICAN AIRLINES, ATA AIR LINES, CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, DELTA AIR LINES, JETBLUE AIRWAYS, MIDWEST AIRLINES, SOUTHWEST AIRLINES, UNITED AIRLINES, US AIRWAYS AND THE 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, ATA Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Midwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways, and in affiliation with the 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 renew the Alliance, signed on November 12, 2002 and renewed on April 21, 2004 and May 31, 2005 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 and the issues related to handling passenger checked baggage. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and The Airline Group recognize that OSHA's State Plan and Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

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

• Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop an industry training manual (referred to as a training module in the Alliance signed 11/12/02), for employees on the handling of checked baggage and make it available, without charge, to the aviation industry, OSHA, and other interested parties.

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

• Work with OSHA to provide expertise in developing information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and to provide expertise in developing ways of communicating such information, e.g. OSHA's Baggage Handling eTool and the Airline Industry Safety & Health Topics page.
   
• Speak during a national safety-related conference, such as the National Safety Council's National Safety Congress and Exposition to educate interested parties on and solicit ideas for improvement of ergonomics associated with the handling of checked baggage.

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

• Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings and share information with interested parties on issues including ergonomics to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues, including conducting an informational seminar with and disseminating information to regulatory agencies, international organizations and other interested parties, both domestically and internationally.

OSHA Alliances provide parties an opportunity to participate in voluntary cooperative relationships with OSHA for purposes such as training and education, outreach and communication, and promoting a national dialogue on workplace safety and health. The Alliances have proven 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 OSHA enter into an Alliance with the purpose of promoting a particular party's products or services.

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, the implementation team will meet at least three times per year to track and share information on activities and progress in achieving the goals of the Alliance. OSHA will also encourage State Plan States' and OSHA Consultation Projects' participation on the team.

This agreement will remain in effect for one year. Any signatory may terminate its participation 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 all signatories.