WASA/OSHA Alliance

AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR 
and
WISCONSIN AGRI-SERVICE ASSOCIATION, INC.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Wisconsin Agri-Service Association (WASA) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and WASA hereby form an Alliance to provide WASA members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to hazards related to machine guarding, falls, confined spaces and lockout/tagout in the agribusiness community in Wisconsin. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and WASA recognize that OSHA's State Plan and Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

OSHA and WASA will work together to achieve the following training and education goals:

· Develop training and education programs targeted to Wisconsin agribusiness employers on the following issues:

· Machine Guarding

· Lockout/Tagout

· Confined Space Entry & Rescue Procedures

· Fall Protection

· Fire Protection & Fire Extinguisher Use

 

· Deliver or arrange for the delivery of courses such as OSHA 10 and 30 hour courses for employees and supervisors working in the agribusiness sectors covered by this Alliance. As well as training in other areas that may become apparent during the course of this Alliance such as: grain handling operations, lift truck safety, youth and migrant worker safety, etc..

 

OSHA and WASA will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:

· Develop and disseminate information through print and electronic media, including electronic assistance tools and links from OSHA's and WASA's Web sites. 

· Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA or WASA conferences, local meetings, or other Wisconsin agribusiness events.

· Promote and encourage participation of members' of the Wisconsin agribusiness community in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP), Consultation, and the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). 

· Share information on best practices, as jointly determined by OSHA and WASA, of the Wisconsin agribusiness community with others in the industry and publicize the results through outreach by WASA and through OSHA- or WASA- developed training programs and materials. 

· Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects for the Wisconsin agribusiness community that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.

· Encourage members of the Wisconsin agribusiness community to build relationships with OSHA's Regional and Area Offices to address health and safety issues.

OSHA and WASA will work together to achieve the following goals related to promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:

· Raise others' awareness of and demonstrate their own commitment to workplace safety and health whenever Wisconsin agribusiness leaders address groups. 

· Develop and disseminate case studies illustrating the business value of safety and health and publicize their results. 

· Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on safety and health issues impacting the Wisconsin agribusiness community to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.

 

OSHA's Alliances provide parties an opportunity to participate in a voluntary cooperative relationship with OSHA for purposes such as training and education, outreach and communication and promoting a national dialogue on workplace safety and health. 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; nor does the Agency enter into an Alliance with the purpose of promoting a particular party's products or services.

An implementation team made up of representatives of both organizations 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 quarterly to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance. OSHA will encourage OSHA Consultation Projects' participation on the team.
This agreement will remain in effect for three (3) years. The agreement will be reviewed annually in writing and at the end of the 3 year term by the implementation team. The agreement may be renewed at the end of 3 years with the concurrence of the implementation team.
The Alliance agreement may be terminated when:

· The project does not coincide with the stated goals of the Alliance.

· The primary parties withdraw from the Alliance.

· The goals of the program have been met.

 

The program is expected to run until October 1, 2007.