Memorandum of Agreement
Regarding Resolution of Small Business Problems
between
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
and
The Small Business Administration

Background

SBA makes available to small businesses financial, management, and technical assistance. The Office of Chief Counsel for Advocacy is the focal point in the Small Business Administration (SBA) for aiding and counseling small businesses regarding policies and activities of Federal agencies as they affect small business.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is charged with the mission of providing a safe work place for employees and employers.

OSHA regulations affect many small employers. Small businesses' difficulties in complying with OSHA regulations are of interest to OSHA, the SBA and its Chief Counsel for Advocacy of small business.

Purpose

Purpose of this Memorandum of Agreement is the creation of procedures by which OSHA and the Small Business Administration (SBA) can cooperatively respond to problems experienced by small businesses in matters relating to both agencies.

Interagency Cooperation

The Special Assistant for Small Business in OSHA, and the Chief Counsel for Advocacy in SBA will be responsible for the coordination of activities under this Agreement at the national level.

Responsibilities

SBA. The SBA Administrator agrees to direct the SBA field and national offices staffs to refer to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy all problems coming to their attention that involve small business relations with OSHA and SBA.

The Chief Counsel for Advocacy will provide staff resources to address these problems and to facilitate their speedy resolution where possible.

OSHA. The Assistant Secretary of the Department of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health agrees to direct the OSHA field and national office staffs to refer to the Special Assistant for Small Business all problems coming to their attention that involve both OSHA and SBA.

The Assistant Secretary agrees to provide resources within OSHA to address these problems and to facilitate their speedy resolution wherever possible.

Eula Bingham, Assistant Secretary of
the Department of Labor
for Occupational Safety and Health

A. Vernon Weaver,
Administrator for
the Small Business Administration

Executed this 10th day of April 1980.