NTSP - Alliance Renewal Agreement - March 26, 2008


AGREEMENT RENEWING 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 the National Telecommunications Safety Panel (NTSP) recognize the value of continuing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and NTSP hereby renew their Alliance, originally signed on February 26, 2004 and renewed on June 9, 2006, to provide NTSP members and others in the telecommunications industry with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety by addressing ergonomic issues. In renewing this Alliance, OSHA and NTSP recognize that OSHA's State Plan and On-site Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

OSHA and NTSP 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 related to ergonomics and provide expertise in developing ways of communicating such information (e.g. print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools and OSHA's and NTSP's websites) to employers and employees in the industry.

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

  • Share information addressing ergonomics among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding NTSP's best practices or effective approaches and publicize the results through outreach by NTSP and OSHA and through OSHA- or NTSP-developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any other applicable forum).

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

  • Develop and disseminate case studies illustrating the business value of addressing ergonomic issues and publicize their results.

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 three times per year 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, Directorate of Standards and Guidance, Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine, 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 concurrence of both signatories.



Edwin G. Foulke, Jr.
Assistant Secretary
Occupational Safety and Health Administration


Date


Eric L. Allgaier
Chair
National Telecommunications Safety Panel


Date