The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Brick Industry Association (BIA) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and BIA thereby form an Alliance to provide BIA's members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing ergonomics injuries, and preventing exposure to hazardous levels of silica. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and BIA recognize that OSHA's State Plan and Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

OSHA and BIA 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 the BIA's Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry.
   
• Speak, exhibit or appear at OSHA's and BIA's conferences, local meetings or other events such as BIA's Brick Show.
   
• Share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding BIA's best practices or effective approaches and publicize results through outreach by BIA and through OSHA- or BIA- developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any other applicable forum).
   
• Promote and encourage BIA members' or worksites' participation in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Programs, and the Consultation Program and its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.

OSHA's Alliances provide 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

An implementation team comprised 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 the signatory gives 30 days written notice. This agreement may be modified at any time with the concurrence of both the signatories.