AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
HARTFORD AREA OFFICE
STATE OF CONNECTICUT- DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
AND
THE HOME BUILDERS AND REMODELERS ASSOCIATION OF HARTFORD

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), State of Connecticut Department of Labor, Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Conn OSHA) and the Home Builders and Remodelers Association (HBRA) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and HBRA hereby form an alliance to provide HBRA members 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 falls in the residential construction industry, struck-by hazards, caught-in or between and electrical hazards. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and the HBRA recognize that OSHA's State Plan and Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

OSHA, ConnOSHA and HBRA will work together to achieve the following training and education goals:

Work with OSHA to develop training and education programs on safety and health issues regarding falls, struck-by, caught-in or between and electrical hazards and to provide expertise in communicating such information to employers and employees in the industry. The training programs will be designed to address the needs of entry level workers, non-English speaking workers, skilled workers and management, including comprehensive programs, seminars and courses that promote health and safety in the workplace.

Deliver or arrange for the delivery of safety and health courses, including but not limited to: falls, struck by, caught between, and electrical hazard during residential construction activities.

OSHA, ConnOSHA and HBRA will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:

Work with OSHA to provide expertise in developing information on the recognition of hazards and disseminate information at conferences, events, or through print and electronic media, including links from OSHA's Web sites.

Speak, exhibit, or appear at HBRA conferences, local meetings, or other safety and health forums and events.

Promote and encourage HBRA contractors' and members' participation in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Program, Consultation, and Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.

Share information on best practices, as jointly determined by OSHA and HBRA, at worksites with others in the industry through outreach by HBRA, and through OSHA or HBRA developed training programs and materials. Promote their implementation through print or electronic media, at conferences, or by any other means.

OSHA, ConnOSHA and HBRA 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 HBRA leaders address groups.

Develop and disseminate case studies illustrating the business value of safety and health and publicize their results.

Convene or participate in forums, round table 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.

OSHA, ConnOSHA and the HBRA agree to establish an Alliance to promote safe and healthful working conditions for local members by:

Providing HBRA members with information and guidance that will help them protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to hazards inherent in residential construction and related activities.

Increase access to safety and health information and training resources.

OSHA's 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 dialog 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 the party's products or services, nor does the Agency enter into an Alliance with the purpose of promoting a particular party's 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. In addition, they will meet at least quarterly to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the alliance.

This agreement shall 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 occurrence of both signatories.