AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Houston South Area Office and Houston North Area Office
AND
American Subcontractors Association-Houston Chapter, Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Houston, Gulf Coast Safety Institute/College of the Mainland, Scaffold & Access Industry Association and The Associated General Contractors of American - Houston

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Houston North and South Area Office and American Subcontractors Association-Houston Chapter, Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Houston, Gulf Coast Safety Institute/College of the Mainland, Scaffold & Access Industry Association and The Associated General Contractors of American - Houston (known as the "participants") recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. To that end, participants hereby form an Alliance to provide participant members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect the health and safety of workers, particularly by reducing and preventing exposure to fall hazards in the construction industries and addressing fall related issues, and understand the rights of workers and the responsibilities of employers under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act).

This 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 developing this Alliance, OSHA and participants recognize that OSHA's State Plan 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 objectives 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 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.
To convene or participate in forums, roundtable discussions, or stakeholder meetings on fall hazards in the construction industries to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.
To encourage worker participation in workplace safety and health by participating in toolbox talks, skills assessment tests, targeted training and videos of worker testimonials who have been involved in fall protection incidents in the construction industry.

Training and Education

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

To develop effective training and education programs for employers and workers in the construction industry regarding fall hazards in the construction industries and to communicate such information to constituent employers and workers.
To develop effective training and education programs for employers and workers in the construction industry 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.
To deliver or arrange for the delivery of :
- Fall Protection training in new hire orientation programs which will be developed in multiple languages that include training materials such as handbooks and presentations.
- Toolbox topics on fall protection hazard topics such as inspections, assurance of correct fit, etc.
- Videos that can be incorporated into employer training sessions.

Outreach and Communication

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

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, and OSHA's and the participants Web sites) to employers and workers in the industry.
To speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or participants conferences, local meetings, or other Greater Houston Area events.
To share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding participants good practices or effective approaches through training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any other applicable forum) developed by the participants.
To work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects on the creation of safe behaviors at construction project sites that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.
To develop and disseminate case studies on fall hazards in the construction industries and publicize their results.

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 of each organization 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 three 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 Houston South Area Office OSHA and any other appropriate offices. OSHA will encourage State Plan States' and OSHA On-site Consultation Projects' participation on the team.

This agreement will remain in effect for two years. Any signatory may terminate it for any reason at any time, provided they give 30 day written notice. This agreement may be modified at any time with the written concurrence of all signatories.

Signed this 25^th day of April, 2017.

Mark Briggs, Area Director- Houston North Area Office, OSHA
Joann Figueroa, Area Director- Houston North Area Office, OSHA
Russell Hamley, President, Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Houston
Brianna Wright, Executive Director, American Subcontractors Association- Houston Chapter
Cindy Lewis, Gulf Coast Safety Institute / College of the Mainland
Paula Manning, President, Scaffold & Access Industry Association
Kim Mason, Director of Safety Services, Associated General Contractors of America- Houston Chapter