ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE PROGRAM AMBASSADOR RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
THE NATIONAL SERVICE, TRANSMISSION, EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION SAFETY (STEPS) NETWORK
AND
THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH (NIOSH)

Since entering into an Alliance on December 2, 2014, with a subsequent renewal on November 29, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Service, Transmission, Exploration & Production Safety (STEPS) Network, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have worked together to improve workplace safety and health in the U.S. onshore oil and gas extraction industry by sharing information, guidance, and the development of hazard alerts that address occupational hazards, promote understanding of the rights of workers, and the responsibilities of host employers under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

OSHA, the National STEPS Network, and NIOSH continue to recognize the value of maintaining a collaborative relationship to improve safety and health practices and programs in the U.S. onshore oil and gas extraction industry and commit to continue their work together through an Alliance Program Ambassador relationship.

In recognition of this ongoing commitment, OSHA will continue to foster an active relationship with the National STEPS Network and NIOSH by:

• Providing routine communications on enforcement, regulatory, and outreach initiatives.
• Sharing invitations to and offering opportunities to speak at OSHA Alliance Program Forum and other agency stakeholder meetings or events, such as outreach and training activities through the National, Regional, or Area Office, and the National Alliance Program Construction Roundtable.
• Engaging in information sharing and technical discussions, as appropriate, including completing special projects and hazard alerts that are of mutual interest and align with agency priorities as resources allow.
• Maintaining the organizations’ status as Alliance Program Ambassadors on the agency’s public webpage.
• Supporting the efforts of NIOSH to collect surveillance data and disseminate reports summarizing fatal injuries in the industry.

The National STEPS Network will continue to foster an active relationship with OSHA and NIOSH by:

• Sharing information with members and stakeholders on OSHA’s National Initiatives (Enforcement, Regulatory, and Outreach), and encouraging their participation in OSHA’s outreach initiatives and rulemaking processes.
• Encouraging members and stakeholders to share information on occupational safety and health laws and standards, including the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers.
• Encouraging National STEPS Network members and Regional STEPS Networks to continue to build relationships with NIOSH and OSHA’s National, Regional and Area Offices, and to request assistance through the OSHA On-Site Consultation Program.
• Sharing information with NIOSH and OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding National STEPS Network good practices or effective approaches through training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any other applicable forum).
• Offering NIOSH and OSHA opportunities to speak, exhibit, or appear at their annual Oil and Gas Industry conferences and other local meetings, or other training and outreach events.
• Adhering to requirements laid out in the Alliance Program Directive regarding the prohibition on promoting or implying either agency’s endorsement of their policies, products, or services, including acknowledging that they will not receive any preferential treatment related to any statutory or regulatory function of either agency.
• Abiding by all terms and conditions for the use of the Alliance Program logo as specified in OSHA’s Guidelines for Use of the Alliance Logo.

NIOSH will continue to foster an active relationship with OSHA and the National STEPS Network by:

• Collecting, analyzing, and disseminating industry-specific information for the purpose of identifying and monitoring safety and health issues in the industry.
• Conducting field studies to further characterize and control safety and health issues in the industry.
• Sharing NIOSH research findings and recommendations with OSHA and the National STEPS Network through training programs, workshops, seminars, Regional STEPS Network meetings, and presentations (or any other applicable forum).
• Participating in technical discussions, as appropriate, including completing special projects and hazard alerts that are of mutual interest and align with agency priorities as resources allow.
• Sharing invitations to and offering opportunities to speak at National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Oil and Gas Extraction Council meetings and webinars as appropriate.
• Providing technical review of OSHA materials as requested.
• Abiding by all terms and conditions for the use of the Alliance Program logo as specified in OSHA’s Guidelines for Use of the Alliance Logo.

OSHA’s cooperative programs provide organizations an opportunity to participate in a voluntary, collaborative relationship with OSHA for purposes such as raising awareness of OSHA’s initiatives, outreach, communication, training, and education. These programs have proven to be valuable tools for both OSHA and participants. By entering into this Ambassador relationship, OSHA is not endorsing or promoting, nor does it intend to endorse or promote, any of that organization’s products or services.

This Ambassador relationship will remain in effect for the duration of an ongoing cooperative association and a good-faith effort by all parties to meet the intent of this document and its underlying policies. Any signatory may terminate it for any reason at any time, provided they give 30 days’ written notice.

Signed this 16^th day of June, 2022.