The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Society for Chemical Hazard
Communication (SCHC) recognize the value of continuing a collaborative relationship to foster safer
and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and SCHC hereby renew the Alliance signed October 22,
2003 and renewed December 5, 2005, to provide SCHC members and others, including small businesses,
with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees'
health and safety. In particular, the Alliance will focus on reducing and preventing exposure to
health and physical hazards of chemicals and addressing hazard communication, including training,
labeling and material safety data sheets in the workplace. In addition, the Alliance will work to
distribute information and increase awareness of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification
and Labeling of Chemicals. In renewing this Alliance, OSHA and SCHC recognize that OSHA's State Plan
and On-site Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.
OSHA and SCHC will work together to achieve the following training and education goal:
- Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop training and education programs for small
business and other employers regarding hazard communication and to provide expertise in
communicating such information to employers and employees in the industry.
OSHA and SCHC 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 electronic media, electronic assistance tools and OSHA's and the SCHC's Web sites)
to employers and employees in the industry.
- Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or SCHC's conferences, local meetings, or other events.
- Share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding
effective approaches to hazard communication issues in the workplace and publicize these results
through outreach by SCHC and through OSHA- or SCHC-developed materials, training programs,
workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any other applicable forum).
- Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects on hazard communication that
are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.
OSHA and SCHC will work together to achieve the following goal related to
promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:
- Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on hazard
communication 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, 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 and any other
appropriate offices. OSHA will encourage State Plan States' and OSHA Consultation Projects'
participation on the team.
This agreement will remain in effect for two years. Either 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 both signatories.
Edwin G. Foulke, Jr.
Assistant Secretary
Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
Date |
Michele Sullivan
Board Chairperson
Society for Chemical Hazard Communication |
Date |
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