MSHA's new Alliance program enables organizations committed to mine safety and health to collaborate with MSHA to prevent injuries and illnesses in the workplace. MSHA and its allies work together to reach out to, educate, and lead the nation's mine operators and miners in improving and advancing mine safety and health. Alliances are formed by MSHA senior headquarters staff after initial discussions with an organization interested in collaborating with MSHA.
Mirroring a similar successful program at OSHA, the focus of MSHA's Alliance program is to prevent fatalities, injuries and illnesses in America's mines through training and education, outreach and communication, technical assistance and promoting the national dialog on mine safety and health.
MSHA's Alliance program is national in scope.
Why Participate in an Alliance?
There are many benefits to participating in an Alliance with MSHA. Through this program, organizations will:
Build trusting, cooperative relationships with the Agency.
Network with others committed to mine safety and health.
Leverage resources to maximize miner safety and health protection.
Who Can Participate in an Alliance?
Alliances are open to all groups, including:
Trade associations
Labor organizations
Professional societies
Government agencies
MSHA and Association of Equipment Manufacturers sign national alliance on January 23, 2007.
In some cases, organizations may be cooperating with MSHA for the first time. In others, they may be building on existing relationships with the Agency that were developed through other collaborations.
How Do Alliances Work?
There are few formal program requirements for Alliances and the agreements do not include an enforcement component. However, MSHA and the participating organization must define, implement and meet a set of short and long-term goals that fall into at least one of the following categories:
MSHA and it allies will form an implementation team. The team, consisting of representatives from MSHA and the organization, will have the responsibility for developing strategies and implementing programs or processes for meeting the mutually defined goals.
How to Get Started?
Contact MSHA's Office of the Assistant Secretary at (202) 693-9414.
