AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
WILKES-BARRE AREA OFFICE
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
THE NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS AND EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATION

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Wilkes-Barre Area Office and The Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Association (NEPA MAEA) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. To that end, OSHA and NEPA MAEA hereby form an Alliance to provide NEPA MAEA 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 emerging general industry hazards and addressing hazard recognition and control programs, injury and illness prevention programs, effective safety training issues, and understanding 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, 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 NEPA MAEA recognize that OSHA’s State Plan and On-site Consultation Program 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.

Raising Awareness: Outreach and Communication

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

• Share information on OSHA’s National Initiatives (Emphasis Programs, Regulatory Agenda, 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.
• Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA and NEPA MAEA conferences, local meetings, or other workshops and events.
• Convene or participate in forums, roundtable discussions, or stakeholder meetings on various safety and health topics including but not limited to general industry hazards and injury and illness prevention plans to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.

Training and Education

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

• Develop effective training and education programs for students, adjudicated young adults, and limited or English as a second language speaking workers participating in the Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Council training and education programs (YES) regarding youth entering the workforce to promote the understanding of workers’ rights, including the use of the OSHA complaint process, and to communicate such information to employers and workers.
• Develop effective training and education programs for NEPA MAEA members to promote understanding of workers’ rights, including the use of the OSHA complaint process, the responsibilities of employers, and to communicate such information to workers and employers.

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, communication, 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 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 Wilkes-Barre Area Office and any other appropriate offices.

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 15^th day of August, 2019