AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE BETWEEN THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND THE GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNICAL FOUNDATION/PRINTING INDUSTRIES OF AMERICA, THE SPECIALTY GRAPHIC IMAGING ASSOCIATION, THE FLEXOGRAPHIC TECHNICAL ASSOCIATION AND THE GRAVURE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

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AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
THE GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNICAL FOUNDATION/PRINTING INDUSTRIES OF AMERICA,
THE SPECIALTY GRAPHIC IMAGING ASSOCIATION,
THE FLEXOGRAPHIC TECHNICAL ASSOCIATION AND
THE GRAVURE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation/Printing Industries of America, the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association, the Flexographic Technical Association and the Gravure Association of America, hereafter referred to as the Graphic Arts Coalition (GAC), recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and the GAC hereby renew the Alliance agreement, signed on June 18 and July 10, 2002, to provide GAC members and others with information, guidance and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety, including reducing and preventing exposure to ergonomic concerns found in printing operations as well as promoting safe work practices in the industry. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and GAC members recognize that OSHA's State Plan and Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

OSHA and the GAC will work together to achieve the following outreach and communications goals:
  • Develop and disseminate information through print and electronic media, and through links on OSHA's and GAC Web sites, including:

    • Work with OSHA to provide expertise regarding the Printing Industry Safety and Health Topics page.
       
    • Work with OSHA to provide expertise on the development of an eTool for the printing industry.
       
    • Developing and maintaining a speaker's kit on topics covered in this Alliance as well as the overall safety and health profile of the industry.
  • Speak, exhibit or appear at OSHA or GAC-sponsored conferences, local meetings, or other safety or industry events, such as the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association Convention and Expo, NEHS 2004, Foundation of FTA INFO*FLEX, and the GAA Gravure Expo, especially focusing on ergonomics concerns and approaches to solutions.
     
  • Share information between OSHA personnel and the printing industry regarding industry best practices or effective approaches, as jointly determined by OSHA and GAC members.
     
  • Promote and encourage GAC member companies to participate in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP), and Consultation and its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).
     
  • Work with other Alliance participants on projects relating to ergonomics or safe work practices that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.
OSHA and the GAC will work together to achieve the following goals related to promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:
  • Convene a forum with printing equipment manufacturers and end-users to raise awareness about ergonomic concerns related to the interaction between humans and machinery.
     
  • Raise others' awareness of and demonstrate their own commitment to workplace safety and health whenever GAC leaders address groups
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 all the organizations will meet to develop a plan of action, determine working procedures, and identify the roles and responsibilities of the participants. In addition, the team will meet at least quarterly 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 and any other appropriate offices. OSHA will encourage State Plan States' and OSHA Consultation Projects' participation on the team.

This agreement will remain in effect for two years. Any signatory may terminate its participation for any reason at any time, provided it gives 30 days written notice. This agreement may be modified at any time with the concurrence of the signatories.

______________________
John Henshaw                
Assistant Secretary
Occupational Safety and Health Administration		   _______
  Date
 
______________________
Ben Cooper                
Executive Vice President
Graphic Arts Technical Foundation/Printing Industries of America		   _______
  Date
 
______________________
Michael Robertson                
President and CEO
Specialty Imaging
Graphic Association		   _______
  Date
 
______________________
Mark Cisternino             
President
Flexographic Technical Association		   _______
  Date
 
______________________
Richard H. Dunnington               
Executive Vice President
Gravure Association of America, Inc.		   _______
  Date