Kansas City Region - Alliance Agreement - January 30, 2026
Kansas City Region - Alliance Agreement - January 30, 2026
AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
KANSAS CITY AREA OFFICE
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
MISSOURI ON-SITE SAFETY AND HEALTH CONSULTATION PROGRAM
AND
POOR BOY TREE SERVICE, INC
The Kansas City Area Office of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Missouri On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program, and Poor Boy Tree Service, Inc., recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safety and health practices and programs aimed at improving American workplaces. To that end, OSHA, Missouri On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program, and Poor Boy Tree Service hereby form an Alliance to provide Poor Boy Tree Service apprentices with information, access to training, and resources that will protect workers by reducing and preventing exposure to the following safety and health hazards: falls, being struck by objects, electrocutions, being caught in or between objects, heat and cold stress, amputations, cuts, lacerations, and air contaminants in general industry. They will also understand the benefits of the partnership that exists between the skilled workforce of utility arborists and employers under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act).
This agreement provides a framework and objectives for the Alliance's activities. Alliance participants also agree to meet 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
Through the Alliance, the organizations will utilize available injury, illness, and hazard exposure data, 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 its impact on improving workplace safety and health. In developing this Alliance, OSHA, Missouri On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program, and Poor Boy Tree Service recognize that OSHA's State Plan and On-Site Consultation Program partners are an integral part of the National OSHA effort, and that information about the products and activities of the Alliance may be shared with all the partners for the advancement of common goals.
Raising Awareness: Outreach and Communication
The participants intend to work together to achieve the following objectives:
- Share information on OSHA's National/Regional/Local Initiatives (Emphasis Programs, Regulatory Agenda, Outreach) and opportunities to participate in initiatives and the rulemaking process.
- Share information on occupational safety and health laws and standards, including the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers.
- Develop information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and communicate such information (e.g., via print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools, including websites) to employers and workers in the utility arborist industry. Ensure information developed reflects the workforce and is available in multiple languages and formats.
- Speak, exhibit, train, or appear at OSHA, Missouri On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program, and Poor Boy Tree Service annual meetings, or other events.
- Convene or participate in forums, roundtable discussions, or stakeholder meetings on utility arborist hazards to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.
- Ensure Alliance activities are informed by the perspectives of non-managerial workers employed in the utility arborist industry by providing safety and health training, information, and guidance on how to prevent injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.
- Encourage local companies to build relationships with OSHA's Regional and Area Offices to address health and safety issues, including, but not limited to, falls, being struck by objects, ergonomics of the utility arborist industry, electrocutions, being caught in or between objects, heat and cold stress, amputations, cuts, lacerations, and air contaminants in general industry.
Training and Education
The participants intend to work together to achieve the following objectives:
- Develop effective training and education programs for Poor Boy Tree Service apprentices regarding safety and health hazards in the utility arborist industry and communicate such information to constituent employers and workers. Ensure training materials/programs are made available in appropriate languages and formats to meet the needs of their target audiences.
- Deliver or arrange for the delivery of specific safety and health training courses, such as but not limited to falls, being struck by objects, electrocutions, being caught in or between objects, heat and cold stress, amputations, cuts, lacerations, and air contaminants in general industry.
- Develop effective training and education programs for Poor Boy Tree Service apprentices to promote understanding of workers' rights, including the use of the OSHA complaint process and the responsibilities of employers, and to communicate such information to workers and employers. Ensure training materials/programs are made available in appropriate languages and formats to meet the needs of their target audiences.
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. In entering this Alliance, OSHA and Poor Boy Tree Service acknowledge that this agreement is not legally binding. This agreement does not oblige or authorize the expenditure or reimbursement of appropriations or other funds, nor does it require the parties to enter 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.
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 Kansas City Area Office. OSHA will encourage State Plans and OSHA On-Site Consultation program's participation.
This agreement will be carried out in full compliance with all applicable federal laws. It takes effect on the date of signing and will remain in effect for two years. Any signatory may terminate their organization's participation in the agreement for any reason at any time, provided they give thirty (30) days' written notice. This agreement may be modified at any time with the written concurrence of all signatories.
Signed this 30 of January 2026.
Karena Lorek
Area Director
Kanas City Area Office
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Ty Bewley
Corporate President and Owner
Poor Boy Tree Service, Inc.
Daniel Stark, CIH, CSP
Assistant Director/Program Manager
Missouri On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program
