TCIA - Alliance Agreement - February 11, 2003


AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
THE NATIONAL ARBORIST ASSOCIATION

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Arborist Association (NAA) agree to establish an Alliance to promote safe and healthful working conditions for workers in the tree service industry by:

  • Raising awareness of workplace safety by demonstrating their joint commitment to safety.
  • Sharing information and guidance and providing training that will help protect employees' safety and health in the control of hazards and prevention of exposure in their workplaces.
  • Creating a relationship in which cross-educational opportunities will be made available for both parties to learn from the expertise of one another.

OSHA and NAA will work together to effect the following training and education goals:

  • Expand a pilot training seminar developed by OSHA's Region I Office on compliance with OSHA standards, by delivering it to membership meetings across the country.
  • Jointly develop and deliver training in the tree care industry on topics such as struck-by prevention, fall prevention, tree removal and electrical hazard awareness, including the guidance of the ASC Z-133 2000 standard.
  • Jointly develop or deliver presentations on relevant safety and health topics for NAA conferences.

OSHA and NAA will work together to effect the following outreach and communication goals:

  • Develop and disseminate information and guidance through speeches, meetings, conferences, and print and electronic media.
  • Disseminate information about the variety of safety resources available to the tree care industry from OSHA (such as OSHA's Consultation program and Compliance Assistance Specialists) and NAA, including mentoring among NAA members.
  • Foster ongoing NAA-OSHA dialogue on regulatory and compliance trends in the tree care industry, including joint annual review of frequently identified hazards, to assist in meeting the goals of the Alliance.

OSHA and NAA will also work together to effect the following goal relating to promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:

  • In speeches and other public appearances, leaders in NAA will attempt to raise others' awareness of, and demonstrate their own commitment to, workplace safety and health.

To accomplish the aforementioned goals, 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 on a regular schedule to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance. OSHA will invite representatives of the Occupational Safety and Health State Plan Association and the association of state Consultation Projects to participate as well.

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.



John Henshaw
Assistant Secretary
Occupational Safety & Health Administration


Date


Cynthia Mills, CAE
President
National Arborist Association


Date