AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS SAFETY PANEL

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and National Telecommunications Safety Panel (NTSP) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to encourage safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and the NTSP¹ hereby form an Alliance to provide telecommunications employees with information, guidance and access to training resources and to share best practices and technical knowledge to address ergonomic issues in the telecommunications industry. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and NTSP recognize that OSHA's State Plan and Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

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

• Develop training on ergonomics in the telecommunications industry to be jointly delivered, by NTSP and OSHA, at the annual International Telecommunications Safety Conference.

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

• Develop and share ergonomics information through print and electronic media, including links from the OSHA and NTSP Web sites.

• Speak, exhibit, or appear at conferences such as the International Telecommunications Safety Conference, local meetings, or other events.

• Cross-train OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals in NTSP ergonomic best practices and/or effective approaches, as jointly determined by OSHA and NTSP.

• Share information on ergonomic best practices, as jointly determined by OSHA and the NTSP, with others in the industry through outreach by NTSP.

• Work with other Alliance participants who are addressing ergonomics, especially in the telecommunications industry.

OSHA and the NTSP will work together to achieve the following goals related to promoting the national dialogue on workplace ergonomics:

• Raise others' awareness of and demonstrate their own commitment to workplace ergonomics whenever NTSP leaders address groups.

• Share information on ergonomic case studies performed within the telecommunications industry and publicize the results.

• Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on ergonomics 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 and/or teleconference 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. The NTSP will also encourage membership companies with union employees to solicit input and feedback on success stories for work procedures and processes from union leadership.

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.