AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN THE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION,
CHICAGO NORTH AREA OFFICE
AND
LAKE COUNTY CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Lake County Contractors Association (LCCA) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful workplaces within the County of Lake, State of Illinois. The LCCA will assist OSHA in its efforts to reach members of the LCCA through outreach on safety and health issues. The outreach activity will complement OSHA's goals, as outlined in its 2003-2008 Strategic Management Plan (SMP), of reducing occupational hazards through compliance assistance, outreach, and education. To that end, OSHA and the LCCA hereby form an Alliance to provide stakeholders and others with education and training and other technical resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to the most commonly identified safety and health hazards in construction and general industry.


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

• Develop and disseminate LCCA information through print and electronic media, including electronic tools and links from OSHA's and the LCCA's web sites, along with applicable articles in their print media.
   
• Provide a forum for OSHA personnel to speak, exhibit or appear at conferences sponsored by the LCCA.
   
• Promote and encourage members associated with the LCCA to participate in OSHA's compliance assistance, education and outreach programs.

OSHA and the LCCA will work together to achieve the following goals related to promoting dialogue on workplace safety and health:

• Develop and present a seminar for the LCCA members to be delivered in conjunction with OSHA.
   
• Organize and provide the necessary resources for the presentation of OSHA's construction course for the organization's members when OSHA and the organization identify the need.
   
• Promote and encourage members of the LCCA to individually participate in OSHA's cooperative program of compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Programs, Consultation, and SHARP. In addition, OSHA will recognize members that aspire to excellence in health and safety for their worksites.
   
• Disseminate information and guidance in Spanish.
   
• LCCA will consult with OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals in effective construction safety management practices as jointly determined by OSHA and the LCCA.
   
• Use the LCCA's newsletters, web site, workshops, meetings, and other resources as vehicles to disseminate OSHA- or LCCA-developed information and guidance on workplace safety issues.
   
• Encourage the LCCA's members to act as industry liaisons and resources for OSHA's cooperative programs and Compliance Assistance Specialists.
   
• Raise awareness through speeches and appearances by the LCCA's leaders of safe worksite programs and their commitment to workplace safety and health.
   
• Explore an OSHA partnership with Lake County Building Trades.

OSHA'S alliances provide parties an opportunity to participate in a voluntary cooperative relationship with OSHA for the purpose of education, training and outreach to promote a dialogue on workplace safety and health. These Alliances have proven 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.

Representatives of both LCCA and OSHA will meet at least quarterly to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance.

This agreement will remain in effect for eighteen months from the date of signing. 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.