AGREEMENT RENEWING THE ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
THE INDEPENDENT ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS, INC.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc. (IEC) continue to recognize the value of maintaining a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. To that end, OSHA and IEC hereby renew the Alliance signed August 30, 2002, renewed April 5, 2004, October 30, 2006, and December 08, 2008, with a continued emphasis to reduce workplace incidents and prevent worker exposures to hazards such as electric shock and arc flash. Specifically, both organizations are committed to providing IEC members and others in the construction industry with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them 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, including outreach to small businesses and non-English and limited English speaking employees, to reduce workplace incidents and prevent worker exposures to hazards by way of product development and sharing of information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, such as the prevention of arc flash, and the understanding of NFPA 70E standards. Work will also involve the use of relevant injury, illness, and hazard exposure data, as well as information on workers' compensation claims, non-injury incident data, and similar information to identify and prioritize areas of emphasis for awareness, training, outreach, and communication activities. The organizations will also explore and implement a means to evaluate the effectiveness of the Alliance's products and activities. In renewing this Alliance, OSHA and the IEC recognize that OSHA's State Plan and On-site Consultation Program 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, 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:

• Promote awareness of OSHA's Fall Prevention and Heat Campaigns, as well as sharing of information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, such as electrical shock and arc flash.
• Expand existing relationships between the IEC and OSHA's Regional and Area Offices to address health and safety issues, including the training of Agency staff and providing technical expertise when appropriate.
• Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects such as construction safety, temporary worker protection, and any other issues that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program (e.g., participation in the OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable).

Training and Education

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

• Develop materials and effective training aids that align with current regulatory information, interpretations, and enforcement initiatives, as well as promote an understanding of workers' rights and employer responsibilities outlined in the OSH Act.
• Provide for the delivery of at least four Best Practice Training Seminars annually to agency staff, focusing on topics such as NFPA 70E and the prevention of Arc Flash.
• Revise existing and develop new best practices for workplace safety and health management systems and other safety performance programs, as well as promote their adoption by independent electrical contractors.

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 from the Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, the Directorate of Construction, and any other offices as appropriate. OSHA will encourage State Plan States' and OSHA On-site Consultation Projects' participation on the team, as well as share any products or activities that result from the work of the Alliance.

This agreement will remain in effect for five 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 written concurrence of both signatories.

Signed this 7th day of December, 2015.