AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
DENVER AND ENGLEWOOD AREA OFFICES
AND
COLORADO HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION
AND
RTW, INC.
AND
ARTHUR J. GALLAGHER RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Colorado Health Care Association (CHCA) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and CHCA hereby form an Alliance to provide CHCA 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 ergonomic, bloodborne pathogen and slip, trip and fall hazards as well as other safety and health issues in long term care nursing facilities. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and CHCA recognize that OSHA's Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

OSHA and CHCA will work together to achieve the following training and education goals:

• Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop training and education programs for manufacturing employers and workers regarding effective safety and health management systems and to provide expertise in communicating such information to employers and employees in the industry.

OSHA and CHCA will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:

• Provide expertise to develop training and education programs for nursing home employees and to provide expertise in communicating such information to employers and employees in the industry. Training topics may include preventing infection from bloodborne pathogens, slip, trip and fall prevention, workplace violence or other safety and health issues common to the long term care nursing industry,
   
• Deliver or arrange for the delivery of two webinar courses per year.

OSHA and CHCA 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 CHCA's website) to employers and employees in the industry. OSHA will provide assistance and advice in the development of the "safety" portion of the CHCA website.
   
• Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or CHCA's conferences, local meetings, or other events. OSHA CAS's will participate in CHCA safety and health committee meetings on a quarterly basis via the internet.
   
• Share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding CHCA member best practices or effective approaches and publicize results through outreach by CHCA and through OSHA- or CHCA-developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any other applicable forum).
   
• Promote and encourage CHCA's members' 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 CHCA will work together to achieve the following goals related to promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:

• Raise others' awareness of and demonstrate their own commitment to workplace safety and health whenever CHCA leaders address groups.

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 from CHCA, RTW, Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services and the Compliance Assistance Specialists from the Denver and Englewood Area OSHA offices. 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.