AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
OKLAHOMA CITY AREA OFFICE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR OSHA CONSULTATION
AND
ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS, INC., OKLAHOMA CHAPTER

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Oklahoma City Area OSHA Office and the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., Oklahoma Chapter, (ABC), and the Oklahoma Department of Labor OSHA Consultation, recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American worksites. To that end, OSHA and ABC hereby form an Alliance to provide ABC members with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect the health and safety of workers. Of particular concern is reducing and preventing exposure to ‘Construction’s Focus Four’ hazards, assist member companies with the establishment of a strong foundation based in safety leadership, as well as other areas specific to construction industry safety and health. Both parties understand 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 to evaluate the effectiveness of the Alliance and measure the impact of its overall effort on improving workplace safety for employers and workers. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and ABC recognize that OSHA’s State Plan and On-site Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort, and share information about the products and activities of the Alliance 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, Consultation Services, and opportunities to participate in the rulemaking process. The Alliance will focus on assisting Member Company’s compliance with such programs as Construction, Cranes, and Electrical Emphasis programs. The Alliance will actively seek to participate in updating OSHA eTools and other compliance assistance tools.

• To share information on occupational safety and health laws and standards, including the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers.

• To convene and participate in periodic roundtable updates and discussions. These will focus on such issues as assisting member companies in the establishment of strong safety leadership, identifying hazardous trends in industry and formulating proactive strategies, improving company’s safety and health management systems. Emphasis will be placed on forging innovative workplace solutions and providing input on safety and health issues.

• To encourage worker participation in workplace safety and health by providing ongoing information through toolbox talks and specific events to address changes in standards. The Alliance will track and analyze members companies “near-misses” and volunteer to provide such findings that would enable the creation of a Hazard Alert Letter.

Training and Education

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

• To develop effective training and education programs for construction industry employees regarding the ‘Construction’s Focus Four’ hazards, and any hazards identified through “near-miss” analysis, with the ultimate goal of communicating such information to constituent employers and workers. The Alliance will also work toward the development of a comprehensive annual training event, aimed at reaching employers and workers in the construction industry.

• To develop effective training and education programs for all employees and to promote understanding of workers’ rights, including the use of the OSHA complaint process, OSHA Consultation Services and the responsibilities of employers and to communicate such information to workers and employers.

• To deliver, or arrange for delivery, of safety and health training to employers, through participation in periodic ABC meetings.

Outreach and Communication

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

• To develop information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and to develop ways of communicating such information through the ABC website.

• To develop effective training and education programs for construction industry, to promote understanding of workers’ rights, including the use of the OSHA complaint process, OSHA Consultation Services and responsibilities of employers and to communicate such information to workers and employers. This Alliance will emphasize the advancement of safety and health education through access to the OSHA website’s Construction page, publications and other resources.”

• To speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA’s or ABC conferences, local meetings or any other events.

• To share information, regarding ABC good practices or effective approaches, among OSHA personnel through monthly meetings and roundtable discussions and other industry safety and health professionals. To develop and disseminate case studies by tracking and analyzing members companies “near-misses” and provide such findings on the ABC website, while protecting the identity of the company that reported the near miss.

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 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 Oklahoma City Area Office and any other appropriate offices. OSHA will encourage OSHA On-site Consultation Projects’ participation on the team.

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 written concurrence of all signatories.

Signed this 28 day of June, 2019