AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
THE WASHINGTON GROUP INTERNATIONAL

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Washington Group International recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and the Washington Group International therefore agree to form an Alliance for the purpose of using their collective expertise to help advance a culture of accident prevention while sharing best practices and technical knowledge including, but not limited to, the areas of cranes and rigging, hearing protection and ergonomics within the engineering and construction industry.

OSHA and the Washington Group International agree to establish an Alliance to promote safe and healthful working conditions for employees by:

• Providing information and guidance to help engineering and construction industry employers provide safe and healthful working environments particularly in the areas of crane and rigging issues, hearing protection needs and minimizing exposure to musculoskeletal hazards.

• Reaching out, and providing access to construction industry safety and health information and resources, to contractors who may benefit from mentoring or guidance in developing, implementing, or improving safety and health programs including, but not limited to, cranes and rigging, hearing protection and ergonomics.

OSHA and the Washington Group International will also work together to achieve the following training and education goals:

• Develop training and education processes and curricula on specific construction industry safety and health issues that can be incorporated into existing company programs or develop new courses for employees and contractors.

• Encourage employees and contractors to incorporate a proactive safety and health culture into their day-to-day operations.

OSHA and the Washington Group International will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:

• Participate in the cross training of OSHA personnel, industry safety and health practitioners and engineering and construction contractors in the Washington Group's best practices and/or effective approaches in accident prevention.

• Promote and encourage the Washington Group to participate in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Program, Consultation and SHARP. In addition, act as mentors to the Washington Group's contractors that aspire to excellence in construction safety and health.

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

• Seek opportunities to participate in stakeholder groups and other forums for providing input into the development of safety and health standards for the construction industry.

• Share information regarding the Washington Group's engineering and construction safety and health best practices, and cost benefit analysis techniques, with others in the industry through outreach by the Washington Group and OSHA.

• Promote the Washington Group International's engineering and construction safety and health success stories through the company's and OSHA's websites and publications.

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 quarterly schedule to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance. OSHA will afford the opportunity for 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 one year from the date of signing and will automatically be renewed annually thereafter. This agreement may be modified at any time with the concurrence of both signatories and may be terminated for any reason with 30 days written notice from either signatory.