The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) recognize the value of
establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and Dow therefore
agree to form an Alliance to use their collective expertise to further enhance a culture of prevention while sharing proven
practices and technical knowledge, including, but not limited to, the areas of process safety management (PSM) and
ergonomics. This is an essential component of OSHA's desire to partner with stakeholders, and Dow's commitment to Responsible
Care™ and Dow's new 12 Point Operating Plan for Sustainable Development.
OSHA and Dow agree to establish an Alliance to promote safe and healthful working conditions in the United States by:
- Sharing information and guidance with employers that will help them protect employees' health and safety, addressing such
issues as PSM and preventing and minimizing exposure to musculoskeletal hazards.
- Assisting employers who may benefit from mentoring or guidance in developing, implementing, or improving safety and health
programs including, but not limited to, PSM and ergonomics.
OSHA and Dow will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:
- Develop and disseminate information on effective elements of safety and health programs at conferences, events, or through
print and electronic media.
- Gain a better understanding of the diversity of methods and processes for addressing health and safety challenges in the
workplace. Develop ways for communicating effective approaches including cross-training, job aids, and usability studies.
- Provide OSHA with opportunities, where appropriate and agreeable to both parties, to experience hands-on information
sharing in Dow's facilities to "test run" ideas and to gain a better understanding for real world impact and applications.
OSHA and Dow will work together to achieve the following goals related to promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety
and health:
- Encourage Dow worksites, and personnel to act as industry liaisons and resources for OSHA's cooperative programs and
Compliance Assistance Specialists.
- Seek opportunities to participate in stakeholder groups and other forums for providing input into the development of safety
and health standards and guidance for the chemical industry.
- Identify and enhance methods and processes to evaluate the effectiveness of the Alliance and to encourage the continuous
improvement of workplace health and safety practices and communication.
- Share information on proven practices of Dow worksites with others in industry through outreach directly by Dow and also
through OSHA.
- Work together to develop new approaches and practices to address health and safety risks.
- Share data supporting the solutions to ergonomic hazards developed by Dow, as well as examples of hazard recognition
strategies and analytical tools with OSHA and others in the industry to encourage wide implementation. Promote their
implementation through print and/or electronic media, promotion at conferences, or other means of reaching out to others
in industry.
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. In addition, they will meet at least
quarterly to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance. OSHA will afford
the opportunity for representatives of the Occupational Safety and Health State Plan Association and the association of state
Consultation Projects to participate as well.
This agreement will remain in effect for one year from the date of signing and will automatically be renewed annually
thereafter. This agreement may be modified at any time with the concurrence of both signatories and may be terminated for any
reason with 30 days written notice from either signatory.
John Henshaw
Assistant Secretary
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration |
Date |
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Sam Smolik
Vice
President
Environment, Health & Safety
The Dow Chemical Company |
Date |
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