AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
OKLAHOMA CITY AREA OFFICE
AND
MID CONTINENT EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION SAFETY NETWORK (MCEPS),
ENERGY TRAINING COUNCIL (ETC),
AND
OKLAHOMA INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION (OPIA)

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Mid Continent Exploration Safety Network, Energy Training Council and Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and Mid Continent Exploration and Production Safety Network (MCEPS), Energy Training Council, and Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association (OIPA) intend to form an Alliance to provide participating organizations/ association 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 hazardous chemicals, electrocutions, falls, caught between and struck by hazards, and addressing oil and gas field servicing, exploring, oil and gas well drilling and operation safety issues.

OSHA and Mid Continent Exploration and Production Safety Network (MCEPS), Energy Training Council (ETC) and Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association (OIPA) will work together to achieve the following training and education goals:

• Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop training and education programs for operators regarding the hazards described above and to provide expertise in communicating such information to employers and employees in the industry.
• Deliver or arrange for the delivery of courses which communicate the hazards described above.
• Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop workplace safety and health curricula oilfield safety, energy safety and production safety on

OSHA and Mid Continent Exploration and Production Safety Network (MCEPS), Energy Training Council (ETC) and Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association (OIPA)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’s and the Mid Continent Exploration and Production Safety Network (MCEPS), Energy Training Council (ETC) and Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association (OIPA) Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry.
• Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA’s or the participating organization’s associations, conferences, meetings, or other energy industry events.
• Promote and encourage OSHA and the Mid Continent Exploration and Production Safety Network (MCEPS), Energy Training Council (ETC) and Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association (OIPA) embers’ or worksites’ participation in OSHA’s cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Program, Consultation, and the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.

OSHA and the Mid Continent Exploration and Production Safety Network (MCEPS), Energy Training Council (ETC) and Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association (OIPA) will work together to achieve the following goals related to promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:

• Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on energy industry safety issues to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.

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 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’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. Team members will include representatives of OSHA’s Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs. 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.