AGREEMENT RENEWING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
OKLAHOMA CITY AREA OFFICE
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
MID CONTINENT EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION SAFETY NETWORK
AND
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR/ OSHA CONSULTATION DIVISION

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Oklahoma City Area Office, Mid Continent Exploration and Production Safety Network (MCEPS) and Oklahoma Department of Labor, OSHA Consultation continue to recognize the value of maintaining a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. To that end, OSHA and MCEPS hereby renew the Alliance signed on September 9, 2007 and last renewed April 20, 2017 with a continued emphasis on promoting worker awareness of industry-related hazards and solutions in the exploration and production of oil and gas. Specifically, OSHA, MCEPS and OSHA Consultation are committed to improving worksite operations and reducing work-related injuries, and fatalities by providing 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 work-related injuries, and fatalities.

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, MCEPS, and ODOL/OSHA Consultation 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 goals 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 safety and health issues 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 Alliance members incorporating such opportunities into company worksite safety and health management programs.

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 MCEPS monthly industry meetings regarding topics relevant to issues of current safety and health concern to the oil and gas Industry, and to communicate such information to constituent employers and workers.
• To develop effective training and education programs for Alliance 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 training opportunities offered by industry recognized/accredited resources, organizations or providers such as ETC, IADC, PEC, OSHA, and OIPA.

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 (e.g., print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools, and OSHA’s and the MCEPS, and OSHA Consultation’s Web sites) to employers and workers in the industry.
• To speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA’s or Oil and gas Industry conferences, local meetings, or other events.
• To share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding good practices or effective approaches through training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any other applicable forum) developed by MCEPS or Alliance members.
• To work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects on the oil and gas Industry that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.
• To develop and disseminate case studies on accident investigations or near misses in the oil and gas Industry and publicize their results.

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 each organization 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 three 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 three 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 18th day of June 2020.