AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
COLUMBUS AREA OFFICE
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
PROJECT BEST

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The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Columbus Area Office and Project BEST recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. Project BEST (Building Efficiency by Striving Together) is a construction industry labor-management organization between Upper Ohio Valley Building, Construction Trades Council, and the Ohio Valley Construction Employers Council. To that end, OSHA and Project BEST hereby renew an Alliance signed June 27, 2014, with a continued emphasis on providing Project BEST members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect the health and safety of construction workers. Particularly the alliance will continue to focus resources on reducing and preventing exposure to the construction industry “focus four” hazards of falls, struck-by, caught-in and electrical and to ensure workers understand their rights and the responsibilities of employers under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act).

This renewal agreement provides a framework and objectives for the Alliance’s activities. Alliance participants will summarize specific activities and timeframes for completion in a written work plan.

Through the Alliance, the organizations will use relevant injury, illness, and hazard exposure data when appropriate to help identify areas of emphasis for Alliance awareness, outreach, and communication activities. The Alliance will also explore and implement selected options to evaluate the effectiveness of the Alliance and measure the impact of its overall effort on improving workplace safety for employers and workers. In renewing this Alliance, OSHA and Project BEST recognize that OSHA’s State Plans and On-site Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort, and that information about the products and activities of the Alliance may be shared with these partners for the advancement of common goals.

Raising Awareness of OSHA's Rulemaking and Enforcement Initiatives

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

• To share information on OSHA’s National/Regional/Local Emphasis Programs, Regulatory Agenda, and provide opportunities to participate in the rulemaking process.
• To share information on occupational safety and health laws and standards, including the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers and encourage worker participation in workplace safety and health.

Training and Education

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

• To develop effective training and education programs for the different trades represented by Project BEST regarding the “focus four” hazards of falls, struck-by, caught-in and electrical.
• To develop effective training and education programs for the different trades represented by Project BEST to promote understanding of workers’ rights, including the use of the OSHA complaint process, and the responsibilities of employers and to communicate such information to workers and employers.

Outreach and Communication

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

• To develop information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and to develop ways of communicating such information (e.g., print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools, OSHA’s and the Project BEST websites and Project BEST’s weekly safety and health bulletins) to employers and workers in the industry.
• To speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA’s or Project BEST’s conferences, apprenticeship training programs, and monthly safety committee meetings.
• To share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding Project BEST’s good practices or effective approaches through training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any other applicable forum) developed by the participants.

OSHA’s Alliances provide parties an opportunity to participate in a voluntary cooperative relationship with OSHA for purposes such as raising awareness of OSHA’s rulemaking and enforcement initiatives, training and education, and outreach and communication. 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 or promoting, nor does it intend to endorse or promote, any of that party’s products or services.

An implementation team made up of representatives from both OSHA and Project BEST 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 two times per year to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance. OSHA team members will include representatives of the Columbus Area Office and any other appropriate offices. OSHA will encourage OSHA On-site Consultation Projects’ participation on the team.

This agreement will remain in effect for three years. Either 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 written concurrence of both signatories.

Signed this 13th day of July, 2016.