AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
between
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
and
THE SOCIETY OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY, INC.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI) agree to establish an Alliance to promote safe and healthful working conditions for workers in member facilities by:

• Providing member employers with information and guidance that will help them protect employees' health and safety, particularly in the areas of:

  • The identification and elimination of hazards likely to result in worker amputations.

  • Reducing and preventing exposure to ergonomic hazards.

  • Providing training to employers so they may identify and correct these health and safety hazards.

OSHA and SPI will work together to effect the goal of outreach and communication by:

• Using SPI's newsletters, Web site, workshops, meetings, and other resources as the vehicles to disseminate OSHA- or SPI-developed information and guidance on workplace safety and health issues, including but not limited to amputation and ergonomic hazards and control mechanisms such as lock-out tag-out and machine guarding.

• Encouraging the continuing development of ergonomic guidelines by the plastics industry.

• Promoting and encouraging SPI members' participation in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Programs, SHARP, Consultation, and mentoring among SPI members. In addition, encouraging member companies to enter into a Strategic Partnership with OSHA to augment the goals and build upon the successes of this Alliance.

OSHA and SPI will also work together to effect the goal of training and education by:

• Jointly developing and delivering training addressing machine safety and safe ergonomic practices, to be delivered in conferences, meetings and through SPI's learning network.

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 on a regular schedule to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance. In addition, OSHA will, upon request, participate in SPI Senior Leadership meetings to report on Alliance activities and results. 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. This agreement may be modified at any time with the concurrence of both signatories and may be terminated for any reason with 30 days written notice from either signatory.