Region 9 - Agreement - August 21, 2023
AGREEMENT TO ESTABLISH AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
HONOLULU AREA OFFICE
AND
COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF LABOR OSHA ONSITE CONSULTATIONS
AND
NORTHERN MARIANAS TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Honolulu Area Office and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Department of Labor OSHA Onsite Consultations and Northern Marianas Technical Institute recognize the value of maintaining a collaborative relationship to foster safety and health practices and programs to improve American workplaces. Northern Marianas Technical Institute supports OSHA Training Institute Educations Centers and support OSHA's training and education mission by offering courses and seminars on a variety of safety and health topics and through other programs, based upon regional worker and industry needs.
To that end, OSHA and Northern Marianas Technical Institute, hereby form an Alliance to provide Northern Marianas Technical Institute students and the public with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them to prevent and reduce worker exposure to safety and health hazards. The Alliance will provide information on the rights of workers and the responsibilities of employers under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act).
This agreement provides a framework and objectives for the Alliance's activities. Alliance participants also agree to meet the "Fundamental Requirements for OSHA Alliance Program Participants" and the "Guidelines for OSHA's Alliance Program Participants: Alliance Products and Other Alliance Projects."
Through the Alliance, the organizations will use available injury, illness, and hazard exposure data, when appropriate, to help identify areas of emphasis for Alliance awareness, outreach, and communication activities. The Alliance will evaluate its impact on improving workplace safety and health. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and Northern Marianas Technical Institute recognize that OSHA's State Plans Program partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort and will share information about the products and activities of the Alliance with these partners for the advancement of common goals.
Raising Awareness: Outreach and Communication
The Alliance participants intend to work together to achieve the following objectives:
- Share information on OSHA initiatives, campaigns, and emphasis programs and opportunities to participate in OSHA activities and the rulemaking process.
- Share information on occupational safety and health laws and standards, including the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers.
- Develop information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and communicate such information (e.g., print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools, and OSHA and the Northern Marianas Technical Institute websites) to employers and workers in the industry.
- Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA and Northern Marianas Technical Institute conferences, local meetings, or other related events.
- Encourage constituent participation in workplace safety and health by providing information on Northern Marianas Technical Institute programs and other safety and health resources available through OSHA and the State plans.
- Convene or participate in forums, roundtable discussions, or stakeholder meetings on safety and health issues to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.
- Collaborate with other Alliance participants on national and regional campaigns, safety stand-downs, and other events developed through the Alliance.
- Share information among OSHA personnel, State Plans, and industry safety and health professionals regarding Northern Marianas Technical Institute support of OSHA's mission through training, workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any other applicable forum).
Training and Education
The participants intend to work together to achieve the following objectives:
- Assess employer/employee training needs and trends in Region 9 and communicate those needs and trends to OSHA Area offices, State Plans, and Northern Marianas Technical Institute.
- Develop effective training and education programs for safety and health in construction, general industry, maritime, agriculture, and disaster sites. Promote safety and health management programs and OSHA initiatives through training and education programs.
- Develop effective training and education programs to promote understanding of workers' rights, including the use of the OSHA complaint process, and the responsibilities of employers and to communicate such information to workers and employers.
- Deliver or arrange for the delivery of training in support of OSHA initiatives, campaigns, and emphasis programs at in-person or virtual events.
OSHA's Alliances provide organizations an opportunity to participate in a voluntary cooperative relationship with OSHA for purposes such as raising awareness of OSHA's initiatives, outreach, communications, training, and education. These Alliances have proven to be valuable tools for both OSHA and Alliance participants.
An implementation team made up of representatives of each organization will meet at least two times per year to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance. The implementation team develops a work plan, determine procedures, and identify the roles and responsibilities of the participants. OSHA team members will include representatives of the San Francisco Regional Office, the Region 9 Area Offices as needed, and any other appropriate offices. OSHA will encourage State Plans programs to participate 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 written concurrence of all signatories.
Signed at Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, in duplicate, this 21st day of August, 2023.
FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
HONOLULU AREA OFFICE:
Roger J. Forstner
Area Director
FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF LABOR DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION ONSITE CONSULTATIONS:
Timothy Asaivao
Program Director
FOR THE NORTHERN MARIANAS TECHNICAL INSTITUTE:
Jodina Attao
Chief Executive Officer