The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Central Ohio
National Federation of Independent Businessmen recognize the value of establishing a collaborative
relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and NFIB hereby form an
Alliance to provide NFIB members and others with information, guidance, and access to training
resources that will help them protect employees’ health and safety, particularly in reducing and
preventing exposure to hazards in machine guarding, electrical, lockout/tagout and to address written
safety and health program issues. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and NFIB recognize that OSHA’s
On-Site Consultation Program is an integral part of the OSHA national effort.
OSHA and NFIB will work together to achieve the following training and education goals:
- Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop training and education programs for small business
employers and employees regarding hazards in areas such as machine guarding, electrical, and
lockout/tagout, written safety and health programs, and to provide expertise in communicating such
information to employers and employees in the industry.
- Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop workplace safety and health curricula for small
business using the OSHA website.
OSHA and NFIB will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:
- Work with OSHA to provide expertise in developing information on the recognition and prevention of
workplace hazards, and to provide expertise in developing ways of communicating such information
(e.g. print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools, OSHA’s and the NFIB Web sites) to
employers and employees in the industry.
- Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA or NFIB conferences, local meetings, or other state events.
- Share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding NFIB
best practices or effective approaches and publicize results through outreach by NFIB and through
OSHA- or NFIB developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any
other applicable forum).
- Promote and encourage NFIB members’ or worksites’ participation in OSHA’s cooperative programs
such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Program, Consultation, and the NFIB’s Safety
and Health Achievement Recognition Program.
- Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects such as annual training
seminars for NFIB members which are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.
- Encourage NFIB chapters to build relationships with OSHA’s Regional and Area Offices to address
health and safety issues, including OSHA updates.
OSHA and NFIB will work together to achieve the following goals related to promoting
the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:
- Raise others’ awareness of and demonstrate their own commitment to workplace safety and health
whenever NFIB leaders address groups.
- Develop and disseminate case studies illustrating the business value of safety and health and
publicize their results.
- Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on OSHA issues
to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.
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 both organizations will meet to develop a plan
of action, determine working procedures, and identify the roles and responsibilities of the
participants. Team members will include representatives of Columbus Area OSHA office and Central
Ohio NFIB. In addition, they will meet at least three times per year to track and share information
on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance. OSHA will encourage OSHA’s On-Site
Consultation Program participation on the team.
This agreement will remain in effect for two years 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.
Deborah Zubaty
Area Director
Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
Date |
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Shawn Combs
Assistance State Director/Member Services
National Federation of Independent Business/Ohio |
Date |
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