AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
METHUEN, BRAINTREE, AND SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS AREA OFFICES, MASSACHUSETTS DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
CONSULTATION PROGRAM
AND
BRAZILIAN IMMIGRANT CENTER

The Methuen, Braintree and Springfield Area Offices of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety, Consultation Program (MDOS-CP) and the Brazilian Immigrant Center recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA, MDOS-CP and the Brazilian Immigrant Center hereby form an Alliance to provide Brazilian Immigrant Center clients: immigrant workers, small business owners, teen workers and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees’ health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to hazards in landscaping, construction, and other high hazard industries. In developing this Alliance, OSHA, MDOS-CP and the Brazilian Immigrant Center recognize that OSHA' State Plan and Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

OSHA, MDOS-CP and the Brazilian Immigrant Center will work together to achieve the following training and education goals:

• Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop training and education programs for Brazilian workers and small business owners regarding hazards and abatement methods in construction, landscaping and other high hazard industries, and to provide expertise in communicating such information to employers and employees in the industry.
   
• Deliver or arrange for the delivery of bilingual safety and health informational classes.

OSHA, MDOS-CP and the Brazilian Immigrant Center will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:

• Work with OSHA to provide expertise in developing information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and to provide expertise in developing ways of communicating such information (e.g., print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools and OSHA', MDOS-CP' and the Brazilian Immigrant Center' Web sites) to immigrant employers and employees in the industry.
   
• Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA', MDOS-CP' or the Brazilian Immigrant Center' conferences, local meetings, Brazilian festivals, or other events.
   
• Promote and encourage Brazilian Immigrant Center clients who own businesses or work sites who employ Brazilian workers to participate in OSHA' cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP), Consultation, and the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).

OSHA, MDOS-CP and the Brazilian Immigrant Center will work together to achieve the following goals related to promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:

• Raise others’ awareness of and demonstrate their own commitment to workplace safety and health whenever the Brazilian Immigrant Center leaders address groups.
   
• Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on immigrant worker issues to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.

OSHA' Alliances provide parties an opportunity to participate in a voluntary cooperative relationship with OSHA for purposes such as training and education, outreach and communication and promoting a national dialogue on workplace safety and health. 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 any of that party' products or services; nor does the Agency enter into an Alliance with the purpose of promoting a particular party' products or services.

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. Team members will include representatives of OSHA, MDOS-CP and members of the Brazilian Immigrant Center. In addition, they will meet at least three times per year to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance.

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 concurrence of all signatories.