The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Forest Industry Safety and Training Alliance FISTA,
Timber Producers of MI. & WI (TPA), Wisconsin Professional Loggers Association ( WPLA ) and Wisconsin Safety Consultation
(WISCon) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces.
OSHA, FISTA, TPA, WPLA and WISCon hereby form an Alliance to provide FISTA, TPA, and WPLA members and others with information,
guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees', including youth workers, health and safety,
particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to unsafe manual felling techniques, mechanical felling and equipment operation,
safe site preparation. We will also address the ergonomic issues associated with the logging industry. OSHA, FISTA, TPA, WPLA and
WISCon agree to establish an Alliance to promote safe and healthful working conditions for loggers thoroughout the state of Wisconsin.
OSHA's Wisconsin Area Offices, FISTA, WPLA, TPA, and WisCON will also work together to achieve the following training and education goals:
- Develop training and education programs on ergonomic issues targeted to ergonomic controls in the logging industry.
- Deliver, or arrange for the delivery, of safety, health, and ergonomic courses. Some hazards to be addressed are:
- The effects of noise and the proper use of hearing protection.
- Safe felling techniques;
- Proper sue and care of personal protective equipment;
- The effects of heat and cold stress;
- Ergonomic issues associated with logging such as lifting, bending and twisting ;
- Develop workplace safety and health curricula to inform employees of the need to follow safety and health rules and standards to prevent work-related deaths, injuries, and illness in the logging industry.
- Assist FISTA in its efforts to teach the value of safety and health in the logging industry to the young workers and high school students in the state.
OSHA's Wisconsin Area Offices, FISTA, WPLA, TPA, and WisCON will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:
- Develop and disseminate information at conferences, events, or through print and electronic media, including links from
OSHA's, FISTA's, TPA's, (WPLA's when developed), and WISCon's Web sites.
- Speak, exhibit, or appear at conferences, local meetings, or other events.
- Cross-train OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals in FISTA, TPA, and WPLA best practices or effective approaches, as jointly determined by OSHA, FISTA, TPA, WPLA, and
WISCon.
- Promote and encourage FISTA, TPA, and WPLA members' participation in
OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP), Consultation, and SHARP. In addition, FISTA, TPA, and WPLA will act as mentors to worksites that aspire to excellence in safety and health.
- OSHA will attend the Timber Producers of MI & WI Logging Congress,
FISTA's Spring Loggers' Conferences, and WPLA's Annual Logging Expo providing safety and health handouts and information about safety and health. OSHA will also conduct training when requested to do so.
- Providing FISTA, TPA and WPLA members with information and guidance that will help them protect
employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to safety and health hazards and ergonomic issues associated with logging.
OSHA's Wisconsin Area Offices, FISTA, TPA, WPLA, and WisCON 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 OSHA, FISTA, TPA, WPLA, and WisCON leaders meet with or speak to other groups or employees in the logging industry.
- OSHA will work with FISTA to develop training plans and take part in the training for the Landscaping/ Horticulture Industry
- Share information on best practices on worksites, as jointly determined by OSHA, FISTA, TPA, WPLA, and WisCON with others in the industry. This will be accomplished through outreach and training programs and materials developed by the above mentioned groups. These groups will promote their implementation through print or electronic media, at conferences, or by other means of outreach.
- Perform case studies and publicize their results through print or electronic media, promotion at conferences, or other means of outreach.
- Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on hazards of logging and ways to prevent injuries and illnesses in the problem areas to help forge innovative solutions to safety and health issues in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.
- Developing and maintaining a level of thrust between OSHA and the logging community where OSHA is seen as a valuable resource to protect the safety and health of loggers.
- Increasing access to safety and health information and training resources.
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 Alliance with a party, OSHA is not endorsing any of that
party's products or services; nr 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 all 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.
This agreement will remain in effect for two years. Any 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 concurrence of all signatories.
______________________________________________
(Name), (Title)
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
______________________________________________
(Name), (Title)
Wisconsin Safety Consultation (WisCON)
______________________________________________
Barbara M. Henderson, Executive Director
Forest Industry Safety & Training Alliance, Inc. (FISTA)
______________________________________________
Alan H. Hastreiter, Executive Director
Timber Producers Association of Michigan and Wisconsin (TPA)
______________________________________________
Wayne Hamann, President
Wisconsin Professional Loggers' Association (WPLA)
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