AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
THE SHEET METAL AND AIR CONDITIONING CONTRACTORS
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, INC.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association, Inc. (SMACNA) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and SMACNA hereby form an Alliance to provide SMACNA members and others in the sheet metal and air conditioning and the construction contracting industries, including Hispanic workers and small businesses, with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety. The Alliance will address issues such as motor vehicle safety, fall protection, and personal protective equipment with an emphasis on cuts and eye injuries. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and SMACNA recognize that OSHA's State Plan and Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

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

• Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop training and education programs for supervisors and employees on motor vehicle safety, fall protection and personal protective equipment, with an emphasis on the prevention of eye injuries and cuts and to provide expertise in communicating such information to employers and employees in the industry.

OSHA and SMACNA 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 to employers and employees in the industry.

• Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's and SMACNA's conferences and events, such as the annual SMACNA Convention and chapter meetings.

• Share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding SMACNA's best practices or effective approaches and publicize results through outreach by SMACNA and through OSHA – or SMACNA developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars and lectures (or other applicable forum).

• Promote and encourage SMACNA members' participation in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Programs, and Consultation and its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program. SMACNA will act as mentor to members that aspire to excellence in safety and health.

• Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects on sheet metal and air conditioning and the construction contracting industries hazards such as motor vehicle safety, fall protection and personal protective equipment that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.

• Encourage SMACNA chapters to build relationships with OSHA's Regional and Area Offices, State Plan States, and Consultation Projects to address safety and health issues such as motor vehicle safety, fall protection and personal protective equipment. This includes increasing Spanish-speaking employees and small businesses access to and understanding of safety and health information and available training resources.

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

• Raise others' awareness of and demonstrate their own commitment to workplace safety and health whenever SMACNA leaders address industry groups.

• Convene or participate in forums, roundtable discussions, or stakeholder meetings on sheet metal and air conditioning and construction contracting industry issues such motor vehicle safety, fall protection, and personal protective equipment 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 Construction, 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.