AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
OMAHA AREA OFFICE
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
METROPOLITAN UTILITIES DISTRICT
AND
NEBRASKA ON-SITE SAFETY AND HEALTH CONSULTATION PROGRAM

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Omaha Area OSHA Office, Metropolitan Utilities District (M.U.D.), and Nebraska On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program (NE On-site Consultation) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safety and health practices and programs to improve American workplaces. To that end, OSHA, M.U.D., and NE On-Site Consultation hereby form an Alliance to provide relevant stakeholders, including contractors, industry participants, and the public, with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help protect workers by reducing and preventing exposure to trenching, excavation, shoring, and other "Focus Four" hazards (falls, electrocution, struck-by, and caught-in/between) and addressing equipment related issues, as well as understanding the rights of workers and the responsibilities of employers under applicable occupational safety and health laws.

Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as an admission or concession by M.U.D. that it is an "employer" subject to the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) with respect to its employees. Participation in this Alliance is voluntary and does not expand or modify OSHA's statutory jurisdiction.

This Agreement provides a framework and objectives for the Alliance's activities. Alliance participants also agree to follow the principles outlined in the "Fundamental Requirements for OSHA Alliance Program Participants" and the "Guidelines for OSHA's Alliance Program Participants: Alliance Products and Other Alliance Projects ( https://www.osha.gov/alliances/alliance-products-guide)," as such documents may be amended from time to time, provided that any substantive obligations on M.U.D. beyond the scope of the Agreement shall require written concurrence by M.U.D.

Through the Alliance, the organizations will use publicly available or voluntarily shared aggregate injury, illness, and hazard exposure data, consistent with applicable confidentiality laws and public record requirements, when appropriate, to help identify areas of emphasis for Alliance awareness, outreach, and communication activities. The Alliance will also explore and implement selected options, including but not limited to surveys, to evaluate the Alliance and measure the impact on improving workplace safety and health.

Raising Awareness: Outreach and Communication

The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following objectives:

• Share information on OSHA's National Initiatives (Emphasis Programs, Regulatory Agenda, Outreach), and opportunities to participate in initiatives and the rulemaking process, including those relevant to trenching, excavation, equipment operators and construction related activities.
• Share information on occupational safety and health laws and standards, including the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers through communications such as: OSHA and stakeholder websites, print, electronic (newsletters, membership network emails) and social media (blogs, Facebook, Twitter, etc., utilizing OSHA campaign #hashtags), and scheduled calls/meetings.
• Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA, M.U.D., and/or NE On-Site Consultation conferences, local meetings, or other events.
• Encourage M.U.D. to build relationships with OSHA and NE On-Site Consultation to address health and safety issues, including trench safety and construction related activities.
• Assist subcontractors with improving their safety and health programs by including them in outreach events.

Training and Education

The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following objectives:

• Develop effective training and education programs (e.g., Trench Safety Summit) and methods to fill the gap in trench and shoring safety communication and education between industry, government, and small- to medium- sized contractors.
• Promote the value of safety and health programs in improving safety performance and communicating such information to constituent employers and workers.

OSHA's Alliances provide organizations an opportunity to participate in a voluntary cooperative relationship with OSHA for purposes such as raising awareness of OSHA's initiatives, outreach, communications, training, and education. These Alliances have proven to be valuable tools for both OSHA and Alliance participants.

Nothing in this Agreement shall require M.U.D. to adopt or implement any specific OSHA standard, program, or enforcement policy beyond what is required under applicable law. In entering this Alliance, OSHA, M.U.D., and NE On-Site Consultation acknowledge that this Agreement is not legally binding. This Agreement does not obligate or authorize the expenditure or reimbursement of appropriations or other funds, nor does it require the parties to enter into any contract or other obligations. It does not confer any rights or responsibilities under U.S. law, nor does it limit or restrict the parties from participating in similar activities or arrangements with other entities.

This Agreement does not limit, supersede, or otherwise affect OSHA's normal operations or decisions in carrying out its statutory and regulatory duties and functions. OSHA's entering an Alliance with an organization does not imply the agency's endorsement or promotion of that organization's products or services.

Any public statements, press releases or use of any party's name or logo in connection with this Alliance shall require prior written approval of all parties.

An implementation team made up of representatives of each organization will meet one to two times per year to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance. OSHA team members will include representatives of the Omaha Area OSHA Office and any other appropriate offices.

This Agreement will be executed in full compliance with all applicable federal laws. It takes effect on the date of signing and will remain in effect for two (2) years, unless renewed in writing. Any signatory may terminate their organization's participation in the Agreement for any reason at any time, provided they give 30 days' written notice. This Agreement may be modified at any time with the written concurrence of all signatories.

Signed this 18th day of June, 2026.