Region 5 - Alliance Renewal Agreement - March 21, 2017


AGREEMENT RENEWING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
AURORA, CALUMET CITY, CHICAGO NORTH, FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS,
AND PEORIA AREA OFFICES
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND THE
APPRENTICESHIP AND SKILL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM,
OPERATION ENGINEERS, LOCAL 150


The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Illinois Area Offices and the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150 Apprenticeship and Skill Improvement Program (ASIP) continue to recognize the value of maintaining a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. To that end, OSHA and Local 150 ASIP hereby renew the Alliance signed May 7, 2008 and renewed August 8, 2012 and December 2, 2014, and recognize the value of a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. Specifically, both organizations are committed to providing Local 150 ASIP members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect the health and safety of workers and understand the rights of workers and the responsibilities of employers under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act). Through the Alliance, the organizations will continue to address the hazards associated with cranes, earth moving and other construction equipment, including operations associated with trenching/excavations and hazardous waste (HAZWOPER) sites.

This renewal 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 renewing this Alliance, OSHA and Local 150 ASIP 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.

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:

  • To share information on OSHA's National/Regional/Local Emphasis Programs, Regulatory Agenda, and opportunities to participate in the rulemaking process.
  • To share information on occupational safety and health laws and standards, including the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers.
  • To convene or participate in forums, roundtable discussions, or stakeholder meetings on the hazards associated with cranes, earth moving, and other construction equipment to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.
  • To encourage worker participation in workplace safety and health by speaking at Local 150 ASIP OSHA 10 and 30 hour courses.

Training and Education

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

  • Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop training and education programs for OSHA compliance officers (CSHOs) and Local 150 ASIP members regarding hazards associated with cranes, earth moving and other construction equipment, including operations associated with trenching/excavations and hazardous waste (HAZWOPER) sites.
  • To develop effective training and education programs for Local 150 ASIP members to promote understanding of workers' rights, including the use of the OSHA complaint process, and the responsibilities of employers and to communicate such information to workers and employers.
  • To deliver or arrange for the delivery of the All About OSHA portion for OSHA 10 and 30 hour courses.

Outreach and Communication

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

  • To speak, exhibit, or appear at Local 150 ASIP's training facility or other events.
  • To share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding best practices for hazards associated with cranes, earth moving and other construction equipment, including operations associated with trenching/excavations and hazardous waste.

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 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 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 Calumet City Area Office. OSHA will encourage State Plan States' and OSHA On-site Consultation Projects' participation on the team.

This agreement will remain in effect for five 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 21st day of March, 2017.


 

Kathy Webb
Area Director
Calumet City Area Office


 

Daniel J. Reda
Assistant Coordinator
Apprenticeship and Skill Improvement
Program - Local 150


 

Angeline R. Loftus
Area Director
Chicago North Area Office


 

Thomas P. Bielema
Area Director
Peoria Area Office


 

Jacob C. Scott
Area Director
Aurora Area Office


 

Aaron L. Priddy
Area Director
Fairview Heights Area Office