AGREEMENT RENEWING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND THE
AMERICAN PIPELINE CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) continue to recognize the value of maintaining a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. To that end, OSHA and APCA hereby renew the Alliance signed January 25, 2007, and renewed February 25, 2009, and January 30, 2012. OSHA and the APCA are committed to providing APCA members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help to protect the health and safety of workers, as well as promote a better understanding of worker rights and the responsibilities of employers under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act).

Through the Alliance, the participants will continue to promote a culture of safety within the pipeline construction industry, including small businesses and non-English and limited English speaking employees, to reduce workplace incidents and prevent worker exposures to hazards such as those associated with equipment operation (e.g. bulldozer, excavator and sideboom), trenching and excavation and hydrostatic testing. Alliance emphasis will also work to address issues related to distracted driving.

Work will also involve the use of relevant injury, illness, and hazard exposure data, as appropriate, to prioritize areas of emphasis for Alliance activities, as well as determine a baseline for reducing and preventing such incidents. The Alliance will also explore and implement selected options to evaluate the effectiveness of the Alliance and measure its impact on improving workplace safety for employers and workers in the pipeline construction industry In renewing this Alliance, OSHA and the APCA recognize that OSHA's State Plan and On-site Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort, and that information about the products and activities of the Alliance may be shared with these partners for the advancement of common goals.

This renewal agreement provides a framework and objectives for the Alliance's activities. Alliance participants will summarize specific activities and timeframes for completion in a written work plan.

Raising Awareness of OSHA's Rulemaking and Enforcement Initiatives

The Participants will work together to achieve the following raising awareness of OSHA's rulemaking and enforcement objectives:

• Share information on OSHA's National Emphasis programs, enforcement initiatives, Regulatory Agenda, and opportunities to participate in the rulemaking process.
• Disseminate information on occupational safety and health laws and standards, including the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers.

Outreach and Communication

The Participants will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication objectives:

• Develop information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and to develop ways of communicating such information (e.g., print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools, and OSHA's and APCA's websites) to employers and workers in the industry.
• Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or APCA's conferences, local meetings, or other events such as the APCA Annual Meeting.
• Encourage APCA members and other industry stakeholders to build relationships with OSHA's Regional and Area Offices to address health and safety issues in the pipeline construction industry; participate in OSHA's Cooperative Programs, including Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) and the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP); and utilize OSHA's On-site Consultation Program to improve health and safety in the pipeline construction industry.

Training and Education

The Participants will work together to achieve the following training and education objectives:

• Promote industry-wide use of safety and health management systems, encouraging employers to develop new or enhance existing performance programs.

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.

An implementation team made up of representatives of each organization will meet to develop a work plan, determine working procedures, and identify the roles and responsibilities of the participants. In addition, they will meet at least 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 Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs and any other offices as appropriate. OSHA will encourage State Plan States' and OSHA On-site Consultation Projects' participation on the team.

This agreement will remain in effect for five years. Any signatory may terminate it for any reason at any time, provided they give 30 days written notice. The agreement may be modified at any time with the written concurrence of all signatories.

Signed this 15th day of October 2015.