Agreement Establishing an Alliance between the OSHA – Tampa Area Office, the SafetyFlorida Consultation Program and the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Polk County, Inc.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), The Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Polk County, Inc. (PRCCPC) and The University of South Florida SafetyFlorida Consultation Program (USF) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA, PRCCPC and USF hereby form an Alliance to provide the PRCCPC members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help protect employees' health and safety. OSHA, PRCCPC and USF will work collaboratively to protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to falls, electrical, struck-by, caught-in-between and amputation hazards, as well as hazardous chemicals such as lead and silica. Emphasis will also be placed on effectively communicating these issues to hard-to-reach groups, such as Small Businesses, as well as non-English speaking and youth workers. In developing this Alliance, OSHA, PRCCPC and USF recognize that OSHA's State Plan and the Onsite Consultation project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

OSHA, PRCCPC and USF will work together to achieve the following training and education goals:

Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop training and education programs for employers in the construction industry regarding falls, struck-by, caught-in between, electrical, amputations hazards and health issues, such as lead and silica, and to provide expertise in communicating such information to employers and employees in the industry.

  • Deliver or arrange for the delivery of the above courses in construction, as well as the OSHA 10-Hour Construction and General Industry courses in English and Spanish.

OSHA, PRCCPC and the USF 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, USF's and PRCCPC's Web sites) to employers and employees in the industries.

  • Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or PRCCPC's events such as educational awareness seminars, conferences, networking meetings/sessions, local meetings, Business Expos, etc.
  • Promote and encourage PRCCPC members to participate in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP), OSHA's 10-hour outreach safety and health training courses, Onsite Consultation, and its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.
  • Work with the local Hispanic community in Florida through the PRCCPC as well as other faith-based and community organizations in an effort to enhance safety and health awareness within the Hispanic community.

OSHA, PRCCPC and the USF will work together to achieve the following goals related to promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:

  • Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, stakeholder meetings, or 1steering committees on general industry and construction hazards such as falls, struck-by, caught-in between, electrical, amputations and hazards related to hazardous materials and chemical use to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.
  • Raise the awareness of other Hispanic-based groups and the public with respect to workplace safety and health, and demonstrate the Chamber's commitment to the issues identified in this Alliance Agreement when PRCCPC leaders address outside groups, educational conferences and member meetings.

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 all three 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.

This agreement will remain in effect for two years from the date of signing. Either signatory may terminate the agreement 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.

Leslie L. Grove III
Area Director
Tampa Area Office
Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Ana I. Rivera
President and CEO
Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Polk County

Charlene Vespi
Program Director
USF SafetyFlorida Consultation Program

1OSHA, USF and PRCCPC will establish a steering committee on safety and health community leaders to discuss the safety and health concerns of small businesses. The group will promote safe and healthful workplaces and develop mentoring tools and outreach products for small businesses in general industry and construction with special emphasis on Hispanic employers and employees.

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