AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
THE AMERICAN SUPPLY ASSOCIATION

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American Supply Association (ASA) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and ASA hereby form an Alliance to provide ASA's members and others, including small businesses, with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety. In particular, the agreement will focus on addressing exposure to hazards associated with material handling and forklift operations and hazard communication issues. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and ASA recognize that OSHA's State Plan and On-site Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

OSHA and ASA 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 and OSHA's and ASA's Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry.
• Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or ASA's conferences and local meetings, such as ASA's Annual Convention, Regional Conferences, and Peer Networking Council Meetings.
• Share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding ASA's best practices or effective approaches and publicize results through outreach by ASA and through OSHA- or ASA-developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars, webinars, publications and lectures (or any other applicable forum).
• Promote and encourage ASA members' participation in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Programs, and the On-site Consultation Program and its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.
• Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects on hazards that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.

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

• 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 to provide input on safety and health issues or to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace.

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. 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. 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. 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.