Region 8 - Alliance Renewal Agreement - January 30, 2018
AGREEMENT RENEWING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
REGION VIII
AND
THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS
LOCAL UNION #111
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration Region VIII (OSHA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union #111, recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and IBEW hereby renew an Alliance to provide IBEW members and contractors, and others in the electrical construction and maintenance industry with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety. The Alliance will particularly focus on reducing and preventing exposure to electrical shock, arc flash, arc blast, electrocution, falls, heat stress and motor vehicle hazards. The Alliance will also provide training for contractors and employees specific to their industry. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and IBEW recognize that OSHA's state plan and consultation project programs are an integral part of the OSHA national effort. State plan agencies and consultation projects will be informed of and invited to attend all functions.
The IBEW Local # 111 jurisdiction includes and encompasses the following counties: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Eagle, Gilpin, Grand Jackson, Jefferson, Lake, Larimer, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Summit, Washington, Weld, and Yuma.
Training and Education
The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following training and education goals by:
- Developing effective training and education programs for Alliance members including training on electrical safety, revised OSHA standards and best practices.
- Developing effective training and education programs for Alliance member to promote the understanding of workers' rights, including the use of the OSHA complaint process, and the responsibilities of employers to communicate such information to workers and employers.
- Participating in various forums and groups to discuss ways of improving workplace safety and health programs.
Raising Awareness of OSHA’s Rulemaking and Enforcement Initiatives
The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following goals of raising awareness by:
- Convening or participating in forums, round table 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.
- Sharing information on OSHA's emphasis programs, regulatory agenda and opportunities to participate in the rulemaking process.
- Keeping all members updated on OSHA topics.
- Encouraging worker participation in workplace safety and health by having quarterly safety meetings.
Outreach and Communication
The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals by:
- Developing and communicating information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards to employers and employees in the industry (e.g. print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools and web sites).
- Sharing information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding IBEW best practices or effective approaches and publicize the results through OSHA and IBEW Local #111 developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any other applicable forum).
- Promoting and encouraging IBEW members' or worksites' participation in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Program, and Consultation and its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.
- Encouraging IBEW local unions to build relationships with OSHA's Regional and Area Offices to address health and safety issues.
- Developing and disseminating case studies illustrating the business value of safety and health and publicize their results.
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 proven 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 OSHA and IBEW will meet to develop a plan of action, determine working procedures, and identify the roles and responsibilities of the participants. Team members may include representatives of contractors, insurers, and local unions. 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 a five-year period. 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.
Signed this 30th day of January, 2018.
Rita M. Lucero
Acting Regional Administrator
OSHA Region VIII
Epifenio (Eppie) Martinez
Business Manager/Financial Secretary
IBEW Local Union 111