AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE BETWEEN THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND THE SCAFFOLD INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, INC.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Scaffold Industry Association, Inc. (SIA) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and SIA hereby form an Alliance to provide SIA's members, and others in the construction industry, with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will focus on reducing safety and health hazards associated with the use of mast climbing scaffolding and aerial lift equipment. In particular, the Alliance will address reducing and preventing exposure to fall and caught-in-between hazards. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and SIA recognize that OSHA's State Plan and On-site Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

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

• Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop training and education programs for the construction industry regarding mast climbing scaffolding and aerial lift issues and to provide expertise in communicating such information to employers and employees in the construction industry.

OSHA and SIA 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 SIA's Web sites) to employers and employees in the construction industry.
• Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or SIA conferences, local meetings, or other events such as SIA's 36th Annual Convention & Exposition.
• Share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding SIA's best practices or effective approaches and publicize results through outreach by SIA and through OSHA- or SIA-developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any other applicable forum).
• Promote and encourage SIA members' or worksites' 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 mast climbing scaffolding and aerial lift issues that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.

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, Directorate of Construction and any other appropriate offices. OSHA will encourage State Plan States' and OSHA On-site Consultation Projects' participation on the team.

This agreement will remain in effect for two years. Any 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 all signatories.