ALLIANCE AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
BELLEVUE AREA OFFICE
AND
JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Bellevue Area Office, and Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful workplaces and responses to emergencies. The OSHA Bellevue Area Office and JBLM therefore agree to continue an Alliance first entered into on June 1, 2004, with emphasis on promoting a culture of sharing best practices, technical knowledge, collective expertise and resources. Activities under this Alliance include support in preparation for and during emergencies, as well as general safety and health for employees and contractors on JBLM. Programs produced by this Alliance may be applicable to and used at other worksites. OSHA will not interpret or enforce policies or regulations of other agencies.

Raising Awareness of OSHA's Rulemaking and Enforcement Initiatives

The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following goals related to raising awareness of OSHA's rulemaking and enforcement initiatives:

• To share information on OSHA's National/Regional/Local Emphasis Programs, Regulatory Agenda, and opportunities to participate in the rulemaking process.


• To share information on occupational safety and health laws and standards, including the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers.


• Convene or participate in forums or roundtable discussions to discuss injury and illness trends and common emergency response operational hazards in order to help forge innovative solutions to safety and health problems in the workplace.



 
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Training and Education

The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following training and education goals:

• Support the development of training and education programs that can be used to improve emergency response and other safety and health programs and activities.


• Provide training and awareness opportunities for OSHA and JBLM safety and health professionals, contract enforcement personnel, and others who have responsibilities for worker safety and health.



 
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Outreach and Communication

Participants intend to work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:

• Provide JBLM leaders and employees with information and guidance in reducing and preventing employees' exposure to safety and health hazards during emergency response operations and related training activities.


• Increase awareness and/or access to safety and health information and training resources.


• Share up-to-date information, such as injury, hazard and workforce trends, help identify the top priorities for the development of emergency response safety and health training and outreach programs for OSHA and JBLM.


• Cross-train OSHA and JBLM personnel in best practices pertaining to emergency response operations and other areas of mutual interest as jointly defined by OSHA and the JBLM. Cross-training may include joint inspections, outreach sessions, employee exchange programs, or other initiatives.


• JBLM will work with OSHA to provide expertise and input, including model programs that OSHA can use as part of the development of electronic assistance tools, such as Safety and health Topics pages and "E-Tools."


• Share information on best emergency response practices, as jointly determined by OSHA and JBLM, with other federal agencies through outreach or training programs and materials.


• Generate and sustain interest in other federal agencies and activities to identify and capitalize on resources and opportunities that further employee safety and health.



 
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OSHA's Alliances provide parties an opportunity to participate in a voluntary cooperative relationship with OSHA for purposes such as raising awareness of OSHA's rulemaking and enforcement initiatives, training and education, and outreach and communication. 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 or promoting, nor does it intend to endorse or promote, any of that party’s products or services.

Under this Alliance, the OSHA Bellevue Area Office Director and the JBLM Joint Base Safety Director will coordinate directly for support such as personnel, equipment, and other resources for an actual emergency. JBLM and OSHA believe the Alliance is an excellent tool to improve the overall safety and health of emergency responders, increase outreach and communication between OSHA and other federal agencies, develop expertise of compliance officers and JBLM personnel, and participate in the national dialogue on improving worker safety and health.

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 a year to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance.

The reports and documents developed under this Alliance that are retained by OSHA are subject to the Freedom of Information Act. This agreement will remain in effect for two years from the date of signing. 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.

Signed this 7th Day of December, 2017.

Jacob C. Ewer, Area Director, Bellevue Area Office, OSHA

Nicole M. Lucas, Colonel, U.S. Army, Commander, Joint Base Garrison, JBL