OSHA renews alliance with AAOHN

Source: Healthcare Digital

Date :6/13/2007 9:05:46 AM

Alliance with OSHA provides AAOHN members, businesses, and others with information and guidance about workplace hazard preparedness and security issues.

These can include workplace violence, musculoskeletal disorders, bloodborne pathogens, and personal protective equipment.

This Alliance between the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) and the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN) was originally signed in 2003 and renewed in 2005.

"In the four years since this Alliance was originally signed, it has focused on promoting safe and healthful workplaces. Topics addressed include musculoskeletal disorders, workplace violence and promoting the use of automated external defibrillators in the workplace," says Assistant Secretary of Labor OSHA Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. "The Alliance has reached nearly 250,000 people through the collective efforts of OSHA and AAOHN."

"AAOHN is pleased to renew this Alliance which gives us an opportunity to work together with OSHA on training and education, outreach and communication, and promotion of the national dialogue on workplace safety and health," says AAOHN President Richard Kowalski. "We are committed to working together with OSHA to promote safe work environments that prevent employee illness and injuries."

Through the Alliance, OSHA and AAOHN representatives sit on the editorial boards of six of the agency's Safety and Health Topics Web pages such as bloodborne pathogens and needlestick prevention, medical screening and surveillance, occupational health professionals, and tuberculosis. AAOHN also supported and promoted the 2007 North American Occupational Safety and Health Week and OSHA's 2007 Teen Summer Job Safety campaign. OSHA representatives participated in the AAOHN Symposium and Expo in 2006 and 2007.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.