The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Illinois Area Offices; JULIE, Inc. and
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)/Consultation recognize the value of
establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces.
OSHA Illinois Area Offices, JULIE, Inc., and DCEO/Consultation hereby form an Alliance to provide
JULIE’s contractor members, their subcontractors, union laborers 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 trenching hazards, and specifically addressing
underground utility issues. In developing this Alliance, OSHA, JULIE, and DCEO/Consultation
recognize that OSHA’s State Plan and Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA
national effort.
OSHA, JULIE, and DCEO/Consultation will work together to achieve the following training and
education goals:
- Work with OSHA and DCEO/Consultation to provide expertise to develop training and education
programs for underground and trenching contractors, subcontractors and laborer employees regarding
trenching regulations and hazards, including underground utilities, and to provide expertise in
communicating such information to employers and employees in the industry.
- Deliver or arrange for the delivery of three/four courses in specified areas of the state. The
courses will cover topics relevant to OSHA and JULIE requirements and laws. JULIE will announce the
courses through their newsletter to their membership. Locations, times, and content will be agreed
upon by all alliance organizations.
- Work with OSHA and DCEO/Consultation to provide expertise to develop workplace safety and health
curricula on trenching, excavation and underground work by contractor members.
OSHA, JULIE, and DCEO/Consultation will work together to achieve the following outreach and
communication goals:
- Work with OSHA and DCEO/Consultation to provide expertise in developing information on the
recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and to provide expertise in developing ways of
communicating such information (e.g. print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools and
OSHA’s and JULIE’s Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry.
- Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA’s and JULIE’s conferences, local meetings, or other appropriate
events.
- Share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding best
practices or effective approaches and publicize results through outreach by JULIE and through OSHA
or JULIE developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any other
applicable forum).
- Promote and encourage JULIE’s contractor members’ or worksites’ participation in OSHA’s
cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Program, Consultation,
and the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.
- Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects on construction issues that
are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.
- Encourage JULIE members and contractor worksites to build relationships with OSHA’s Regional and
Area Offices to address health and safety issues, including construction hazards.
OSHA, JULIE, and DCEO/Consultation 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 JULIE 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 construction
and/or trenching/excavation issues 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. Team members will include representatives of OSHA’s Illinois Area Offices JULIE, and
DCEO/Consultation. 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.
This agreement will remain in effect for three years (or mutually agreed upon period). 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.
John Newquist
Area Director
OSHA Peoria Area Office |
Date |
Mark A. Frost
Executive Director
JULIE, Inc. |
Date |
Kathy O’Connell
Area Director
OSHA Aurora Area Office |
Date |
Gary Anderson
Area Director
OSHA Calumet City Area Office |
Date |
Diane Turek
Area Director
OSHA Chicago North Area Office |
Date |
David Kramer, Director
Dept. of Commerce and
Economic Opportunity/Consultation |
Date |
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