AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
THE BUILDING SERVICE CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. To further this shared commitment, OSHA and BSCAI hereby form an Alliance to provide BSCAI members and others, including those with limited English proficiency and small businesses with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety. The Alliance particularly focuses on reducing and preventing ergonomic injuries and exposure to hazardous materials in multiple work environments encountered by building service contractors and their employees. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and BSCAI recognize that OSHA's state plan and consultation project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

OSHA and BSCAI will work together to achieve the following training and education goal:

• Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop training and education programs that address workplace safety and health issues, such as ergonomics and exposure to hazardous materials.

OSHA and BSCAI 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 BSCAI's Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry.
   
• Speak, exhibit and/or appear at OSHA's and BSCAI's educational conferences and trade shows such as the BSCAI Annual Trade Show.
   
• Share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding BSCAI's best practices or effective approaches and publicize results through outreach by BSCAI and through OSHA or BSCAI developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any other applicable forum).
   
• Promote and encourage BSCAI members' participation in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Program, Consultation, and its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.
   
• Encourage BSCAI members to build relationships with OSHA's Regional and Area Offices to address health and safety issues, including ergonomics and handling of hazardous materials.

OSHA and BSCAI will work together to promote a national dialogue on workplace safety and health:

• Raise the awareness of other industry groups and the public with respect to workplace safety and health, and demonstrate the industry's commitment to the issues identified in this Alliance Agreement when BSCAI leaders address outside groups, at trade shows, and in educational conferences.
   
• Develop and disseminate case studies illustrating the business value of safety and health, such as the use of ergonomic tools in the building services industry, and publicize their results.
   
• Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on issues related to, workers with limited English proficiency, small businesses, ergonomics and hazardous materials handling 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. 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.