AGREEMENT RENEWING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
DALLAS AREA OFFICE
FORT WORTH AREA OFFICE
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
THE NATIONAL UTILITY CONTRACTOR ASSOCIATION OF NORTH TEXAS INC.

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The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Dallas and Fort Worth Area Offices and The National Utility Contractor Association (NUCA) –North Texas Chapter continue to recognize the value of maintaining a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. To that end, OSHA and The NUCA hereby renew the Alliance signed September 18, 2015, with a continued emphasis on excavation safety for construction workers. Specifically, both organization(s) are committed to providing The NUCA –North Texas Chapter members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect the health and safety of workers and understand the rights of workers and the responsibilities of employers under the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH Act) of 1970. Through the Alliance, the organizations will continue to address worker falls, struck-by, electrocution, and caught-in between hazards for excavation workers in construction. In renewing this Alliance, OSHA and The NUCA –North Texas Chapter recognize that OSHA's State Plan and On-site Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

Raising Awareness of OSHA’s Rulemaking and Enforcement Initiatives

The Participants intend to continue working 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 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, safety roundtable discussions, or stakeholder meetings on construction site hazards for utilities construction workers and to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues. The OSHA Dallas and Fort Worth Area Office representatives will participate at NUCA North Texas Chapter membership meetings and quarterly Safety Round-Table meetings.

Training and Education

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

• To develop effective safety and health training and education programs for utilities construction workers regarding falls, struck-by, caught in-between, and electrical hazards at excavation sites, and to communicate such information to NUCA Member contractors and their workers.
• To develop effective safety training and education programs for utilities contractors and workers and 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 without fear of reprisal or discrimination.
• To deliver or arrange for the delivery of 10-hour Construction Safety Courses.

Outreach and Communication

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

• To develop information on the recognition of workplace hazards and prevention of accidents, and to develop ways of communicating such information (e.g., print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools, and OSHA's and the NUCA –North Texas website) to employers and workers in the industry.
• To speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA and or the NUCA conferences, local meetings, or other outreach events.
• To share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding the NUCA Member best safety practices or effective approaches for safety 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 trench/excavation work at construction sites that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.
• To develop and disseminate case studies on injury/illness rates for utilities workers 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 proven to be valuable tools for both OSHA and its Alliance participants. By renewing 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.

A work-plan team made up of representatives of each organization 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 four 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 Dallas and Fort Worth Area Offices 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 and 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 all signatories.

Signed this 17^th day of November 2017