AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
BOISE AREA OFFICE OF
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
U.S. FOREST SERVICE
NORTHERN REGION

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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Boise Area Office (OSHA) and the U.S. Forest Service, Northern Region – covering the states of Idaho (north), Montana, North Dakota, and parts of South Dakota (Region 1) recognize the value of establishing an alliance and collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and Region 1 of the U.S. Forest Service hereby form an Alliance to share information, guidance and access to resources among Forest Service managers and employees and OSHA managers and Compliance Officers. Participants of this Alliance will summarize specific activities annually.

This Alliance will enhance Forest Service employee health and safety and will provide OSHA Compliance Officers with an understanding of safety and health hazards inherent in Region 1 operations. OSHA and Region 1 will focus on safety and health issues including facility and field hazards, employee safety training and field hazard identification techniques, programs and methods.

Raising Awareness of OSHA’s Rulemaking and Enforcement Initiatives

The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following objectives related to raising awareness of OSHA's rulemaking and enforcement initiatives:

• The participants will participate in OSHA Leadership Meetings, and Forest Service Regional Leadership meetings and workshops, to raise awareness of, and commitment to, workplace safety and health.
• The participants will convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings to help forge innovative solutions related to natural resource field-work and wildland firefighting hazards.
• Region 1 will include a requirement in all contracts that any employer performing work under the contract will comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act and all OSHA standards and regulations.

Training and Education

The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following training and education objectives:

• Enhance the training and information for Region 1's Leadership, Supervisors, Safety Committee members, Safety and Health Managers and employees.
• Provide opportunities for OSHA to observe and participate in workshops and field demonstrations of operations unique to USFS field operations.
• OSHA will support Agency Technical Assistance Requests (ATAR) from Region 1 as resources permit.

Outreach and Communication

The Participants intend to work together to achieve the following outreach and communication objectives:

• Build open lines of communication, mutual trust, and effective working relationships.
• Enhance expertise of both OSHA and Region 1 employees in recognizing hazards in natural resource field-work and firefighting, and in selecting personal protective equipment (PPE).

OSHA's Alliance will provide parties an opportunity to participate in a voluntary cooperative relationship for purposes such as training and education, outreach and communication and raising awareness of OSHA's rulemaking and enforcement initiatives. 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.

Representatives of both organizations will meet to develop a work plan, determine working procedures, and identify the roles and responsibilities of the participants. In addition, they will meet at least two times per year to track progress and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance.

This Alliance will remain in effect for a two year period. Any signatory may terminate this agreement for any reason at any time, provided it gives 30-days written notice. This alliance may be modified at any time with the concurrence of all signatories. This instrument is neither a fiscal nor a funds obligation document. Any endeavor, transfer or anything of value involving reimbursement or contribution of funds between the parties to this agreement will be handled in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and procedures.

Signed this 23^rd day of February, 2018.