AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
HARTFORD AREA OFFICE
BRIDGEPORT AREA OFFICE
STATE OF CONNECTICUT-DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
AND
WORKERS' COMPENSATION TRUST

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hartford Area Office (HAO), Bridgeport Area Office (BAO), State of Connecticut Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CONN-OSHA), and the Workers' Compensation Trust (WCT) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. To that end, OSHA, and WCT hereby form an Alliance to provide WCT members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect the health and safety of workers, particularly by reducing and preventing exposure to bloodborne pathogens, personal protective equipment, chemicals in the workplace, emergency planning, infection control and respiratory protection, falls, strains and sprains, walking working surfaces, electrical, and amputations. Assist employers and employees to understand 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 will summarize specific activities and timeframes for completion in a written work plan.

Through the Alliance, the organizations will use relevant injury, illness and hazard exposure data when appropriate to help identify areas of emphasis for Alliance awareness, outreach, and communication activities. The Alliance will also explore and implement selected options to evaluate the effectiveness of the Alliance and measure the impact of its overall effort on improving workplace safety for employers and workers. In developing this Alliance, OSHA, and WCT recognize that OSHA's State Plan and On-site Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort, and that information about the products and activities of the Alliance may be shared with these partners for the advancement of common goals.

The Alliance also recognizes that the Trust consists of over 400 healthcare and social service employers has been providing safety awareness, consultations, and OSHA compliance programs to our members for over thirty-five years.

Raising Awareness of OSHA's Rulemaking and Enforcement Initiatives

The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following objectives related to raising awareness of OSHA's rulemaking and enforcement initiatives:

• Raise other's awareness of and demonstrate their own commitment to workplace safety and health whenever WCT leaders address groups at membership meetings, training, conferences and trade shows.
• Encourage worker participation in workplace safety and health events by posting information such as safety stand down locations and times on social media and alliance websites OSHA.gov and www.wctrust.com

Training and Education

The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following training and education objectives:

• Work with OSHA to develop training and education materials and programs on various topics, including, but not limited, bloodborne pathogens, personal protective equipment, chemicals in the workplace, emergency planning, infection control and respiratory protection, falls, strains and sprains, walking working surfaces, electrical, and amputations.

Outreach and Communication

The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following outreach and communication objectives:

• Develop and disseminate information through print and electronic media, including electronic assistance tools and links from OSHA's and WCT's websites.
• To speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or WTC's conferences, local meetings, or other events.
• Promote and encourage WCT member's or worksite's participation in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, free CONN- OSHA Consultation Program, and the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Programs (SHARP).
• Promote participation in OSHA's annual Safe + Sound week to raise awareness and understanding of the value of safety and health programs that include management leadership, worker participation, and a systematic approach to finding and fixing hazards in workplaces.

OSHA's Alliances provide parties an opportunity to participate in a voluntary cooperative relationship with OSHA for purposes such as raising awareness of OSHA's rulemaking and enforcement initiatives, training and education, and outreach and communication. 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 or promoting, nor does it intend to endorse or promote, any of that party's products or services.

An implementation team made up of representatives of each organization will meet to develop a work plan, determine working procedures, and identify the roles and responsibilities of the participants. In addition, they will meet at least two times per year to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance. OSHA team members will include representatives of the HAO, BAO or CONN-OSHA.

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 this 20^th day of September, 2018.