Region 10 - Renewal Agreement - January 13, 2022


AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE BOISE AREA OFFICE OF
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
THE DENNIS TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTER (DTEC) OF
THE BOISE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN IDAHO
THE IDAHO YOUTH ALLIANCE FOR TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOLS

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Boise Area Office and The Dennis Technical Education Center (DTEC) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster good safety and health practices and programs to improve American workplaces. To that end, OSHA and DTEC hereby form an Alliance to provide DTEC members, students, and the public with information, guidance, and access to training resources. The Alliance aims to reduce and prevent worker exposure to occupational workplace safety and health hazards, address youth employment issues related to safety and health, and educate students on the rights of workers and the responsibilities of employers under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act). DTEC offers a selection of career technical classes for students in the Boise School District. DTEC collaborates with Kuna School District, Bishop Kelly High School, home-schooled students, and online-school students.

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, including but not limited to member surveys, to evaluate the Alliance and measure the impact on improving workplace safety and health. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and DTEC recognize that OSHA’s State Plan and On-Site Consultation Program partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort and that OSHA may share information about the products and activities of the Alliance with these partners for the advancement of common goals.

The goals and objectives of this Alliance are to form a collaborative network to accomplish the following objectives:

Training and Education

The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following objectives:

  • Improve training and education for the faculty and student body of DTEC by collaborating to build the framework to provide OSHA 10-hour courses in construction and general industry. The OSHA 10-hour course offerings will potentially serve approximately 900 students per year. OSHA will work and consult with representatives from the Pacific Northwest OSHA Education Center based at the University of Washington, and authorized trainers in Idaho to develop the OSHA 10-hour courses. The long-term goal for DTEC faculty to become authorized trainers to teach the OSHA 10-hour course offerings to students.
  • Create a framework for other technical high schools in Idaho to implement OSHA 10-hour courses and curricula.

Raising Awareness: Outreach and Communication

The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following objectives:

  • Share information on OSHA’s National/Regional/Local Initiatives (Emphasis Programs, Regulatory Agenda, and Outreach) and opportunities to participate in initiatives 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 DTEC websites) to employers and workers in the industry.
  • Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA and DTEC conferences, local meetings, or other DTEC events.
  • Convene or participate in forums, roundtable discussions, or stakeholder meetings on youth-worker safety and health topics to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.
  • Share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding DTEC good practices or effective approaches through training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any other applicable forum).
  • Encourage student participation in workplace safety and health by asking for their input on the progress of the Alliance and the development of specific OSHA 10-hour courses.
  • Collaborate with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects related to developing OSHA 10-hour courses and delivering training in occupational safety and health to students.
  • Encourage DTEC to build relationships with OSHA’s Regional and Area Offices, the Pacific Northwest OSHA Education Center based at the University of Washington, and local chapters of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) to address health and safety issues affecting youth employment.

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. By entering into an Alliance with an organization, OSHA is not endorsing or promoting, nor does it intend to endorse or promote, any of that organization’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 Boise Area Office and any other appropriate offices. OSHA will encourage State Plan States and OSHA On-Site Consultation Programs to participate on the team.

This agreement will 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 written concurrence of both signatories.

Signed this 13th day of January 2022.


David G. Kearns
Area Director
Occupational Safety and Health Administration


Jason Hutchison
Principal
Dennis Technical Education Center of the Boise School District