The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
and American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) recognize the value of
establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful
American workplaces. OSHA and AFSA hereby form an Alliance to provide AFSA’s
members and others in the fire sprinkler installation industry with information,
guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect
employees’ health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure
to material handling and fall hazards, and addressing motor vehicle safety
issues. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and AFSA recognize that OSHA’s State
Plan and On-site Consultation Program are an integral part of the OSHA national
effort.
OSHA and AFSA will work together to achieve the following training and education
goal:
- Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop training and education
programs for fire sprinkler installers regarding material handling, fall and
motor vehicle safety issues and to provide expertise in communicating such
information to employers and employees in the construction industry.
OSHA and AFSA will work together to achieve the following
outreach and communication goals:
- Work with OSHA 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 OSHA’s and
AFSA’s Web sites) to employers and employees in the fire sprinkler
installation industry.
- Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA’s or AFSA’s conferences, local meetings,
or other events, including the AFSA Convention and Exhibition.
- Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects on
safety and health issues, including those related to fire sprinkler
installation, that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.
- Encourage AFSA local boards to build relationships with OSHA’s Regional
and Area Offices to address health and safety issues, including fall
protection and materials handling.
OSHA and AFSA will work together to achieve the following
goal related to promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:
- Convene or participate in forums, roundtable discussions, or stakeholder
meetings on workplace hazards, including those associated with fire sprinkler
installation, 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 three times per year to track and share information on activities and
results in achieving the goals of the Alliance. Team members will include
representatives of OSHA’s Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs,
Directorate of Construction, Directorate of Standards and Guidance and any other
appropriate offices. OSHA will encourage State Plan States’ and OSHA On-site
Consultation Program’s participation on the team.
This agreement will remain in effect for two years. Either party 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 both signatories.
|
|
|
|
Edwin G. Foulke,
Jr.
Assistant Secretary
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration |
Date |
Steve Muncy
President
American Fire Sprinkler Association |
Date |
|