AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
REGION IX
AND
THE SHIPYARD WORKERS UNION;
INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF BOILERMAKERS, SHIPBUILDERS, BLACKSMITHS, FORGERS AND HELPERS, AFL-CIO

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The U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration Region IX (OSHA) and The Shipyard Workers Union; International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Shipbuilders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers, AFL-CIO (The Shipyard Workers Union) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and The Shipyard Workers Union hereby form an Alliance to provide The Shipyard Workers Union members, OSHA personnel, and others in the shipbuilding and repair industry, with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help protect employees' health and safety. The Alliance will particularly focus on emergency response, confined spaces onboard ships, respirator use, and toxic metals. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and The Shipyard Workers Union recognize that OSHA's State Plan and 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 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 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 meeting to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.
• To research and obtain data to address hazardous operations onboard ships during building and repair periods.

 

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 shipyard workers and OSHA personnel regarding the hazards associated with shipyard employment onboard vessels and to share such information with other shipyard unions and OSHA Area Offices.
• To develop effective training and education programs for shipyard workers to promote understanding of workers' rights, including the use of the OSHA complaint process, and the responsibilities of employees and employers and to communicate such information to the union membership.
• To deliver or arrange for the delivery of courses which address OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1915 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Shipyard Employment.

 

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 onboard vessels during ship building and repair. To develop ways of communicating such information (e.g., print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools, and OSHA's and The Shipyard Workers Union's web sites to shipyard workers and other workers in the industry.
• To speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or The Shipyard Workers Union's conferences, local meetings, or other events which promote safety onboard vessels.
• To share information among OSHA personnel and The Shipyard Workers Union safety representatives regarding best practices or effective approaches through on-the-job 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 that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.

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 plan of action, 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. The OSHA team members will include representatives of the Regional Office and the San Diego Area Office. 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; 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 9th day of July, 2013