AGREEMENT TO ESTABLISH AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, REGION X
AND
JOINT BASE GARRISON, JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Region X, and Joint Base Garrison, Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful responses to emergencies. Region X OSHA and JBLM therefore agree to form an Alliance to promote a culture of prevention by sharing best practices, technical knowledge, collective expertise and resources in preparation for and during emergencies.
In developing this Alliance, JBLM and OSHA recognize that emergency responses involve work under the jurisdiction of numerous federal and state agencies. OSHA also recognizes that JBLM employees work outside the state of Washington and in other jurisdictions. Programs produced by this Alliance may be applicable to and used at other worksites. OSHA will not interpret or enforce policies or regulations of other agencies.
Region X OSHA and JBLM agree to achieve the following training and education goal for emergency response operations:
- Support the development of training and education programs that can be used to improve emergency response safety and health programs and activities.
Region X OSHA and JBLM agree to achieve the following outreach and communication goals for emergency response operations:
- Provide JBLM leaders and employees with information and guidance in reducing and preventing employee's exposure to safety and health hazards during emergency response operations and related training activities.
- Increase awareness and/or access to safety and health information and training resources.
- Share up-to-date information, such as injury, hazard and workforce trends, to help identify the top priorities for the development of emergency response safety and health training and outreach programs for OSHA and JBLM Safety Office.
- Cross-train OSHA and JBLM Safety Office personnel in best practices pertaining to emergency response operations and other areas of mutual interest as jointly defined by OSHA and the JBLM Safety Office. Cross-training may include joint inspections, outreach sessions, employee exchange programs, or other initiatives.
- JBLM Safety Office will work with OSHA to provide expertise and input, including model programs that OSHA can use as part of the development of electronic assistance tools, such as Safety and Health Topics pages and "E-Tools."
- Share information on best emergency response practices, as jointly determined by OSHA and JBLM, with other federal agencies through outreach or training programs and materials.
Share information on best emergency response practices, as jointly determined by OSHA and JBLM, with other federal agencies through outreach or training programs and materials.
- Convene or participate in forums or roundtable discussions to discuss injury and illness trends and common emergency response operational hazards in order to help forge innovative solutions to safety and health problems in the workplace.
- Generate and sustain interest in other federal agencies and activities to identify and capitalize on resources and opportunities that further employee safety and health in emergency response.
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.
Under this Alliance, Region X OSHA Management and the JBLM Safety Director will coordinate directly for support such as personnel, equipment, and other resources for an actual emergency. JBLM and OSHA believe the Alliance is an excellent tool to improve the overall safety of emergency response sites, increase outreach and communication between OSHA and other federal agencies, develop expertise of compliance officers and JBLM safety staff, and participate in the national dialogue on emergency response safety and health.
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 on a quarterly basis, or less frequently if mutually agreed upon, to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance.
The reports and documents developed under this Alliance that are retained by OSHA are subject to the Freedom of Information Act. This agreement will remain in effect for two years 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.
Signed May 25, 2010 by:
- David J. Baker, Area Director, Bellevue Area Office, OSHA
- Thomas H. Brittain, Colonel, U.S. Army; Garrison Commander, Joint Base Lewis-McChord