The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Ozark Underground Laboratory (OUL) recognize the value of
establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and OUL hereby form an
Alliance to provide show cave industry employers and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources for
reducing and preventing exposure to alpha radiation (radon) hazards while recognizing the fragile environments within the
show cave industry.
OSHA and OUL will work together to achieve the following training and education goals:
- Develop and provide on-site training at OUL's test cave, Tumbling Creek Cave, located in Southwest Missouri, regarding
sampling strategies.
- Develop a training and education program for employers to help assess alpha radiation exposure on full time and seasonal
show cave employees.
OSHA and OUL will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:
- Develop and disseminate information through print and electronic media, including electronic assistance tools and links
from OSHA's and OUL's Web sites.
- Develop a program to measure fluctuations in alpha radiation concentrations in show caves to assess seasonal variations.
- Provide technical expertise to assist OSHA personnel with understanding the basics of the cave environment characteristics
in order to address potential variables of alpha radiation exposures including changes in ambient/cave temperature,
barometric pressure, rainfall and water saturation in soil.
- Provide OUL with information on OSHA's regulations, including, but not limited to; current permissible exposure limits,
HAZCOM, recordkeeping requirements, lockout/tagout, and respiratory protection.
- Speak, exhibit, or appear at conferences and events, such as the National Cave Association conferences.
- Share information on best practices, as jointly determined by OSHA and OUL, of show cave sites and publicize the results
through outreach by OUL and through OSHA- or OUL-developed training programs and materials.
OSHA and OUL 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, or stakeholder meetings on alpha radiation exposure 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
quarterly 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. 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.
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Manuel Olmedo
Area Director
Kansas City Area Office |
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Thomas Aley
President
Ozark Underground Laboratory |
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Charles E. Adkins, CIH
Regional Administrator
Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
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