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AGREEMENT TO ESTABLISH AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American Dental Association (ADA) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and the ADA therefore agree to form an Alliance to use their collective expertise to help foster a culture of prevention while sharing technical knowledge in the area of ergonomics and promoting safe and healthful working conditions for dental employees.

OSHA and the ADA will work together to promote the following outreach and communication goals:
  • Disseminate information on safe and healthful working conditions for dental employees through speaking or exhibiting at conferences and other events, print and electronic media and links from OSHA's and ADA's Web sites.


  • Assist OSHA in the development of electronic assistance tools that address workplace safety and health issues for dental employees.


  • Share new ergonomics information related to dental workers, once obtained and developed, with others in the industry.


  • Work with other Alliance participants on ergonomic issues and projects that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.
OSHA and the ADA will work together to achieve the following goals related to promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:
  • Convene or participate in forums and round table discussions on ergonomic issues in the dental workplace. ADA will also help to make the case that healthy ergonomic practices are good business practices.


  • Explore ways that can be used for determining if ergonomics instruction is currently being included in dental schools' educational programs and encouraging the incorporation of sound and proven ergonomics techniques into the schools' curriculum.
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.

The information provided by ADA and/or its members is for the purpose of contributing to informed decision-making by the Agency and any other recipients of this information. Information provided by ADA does not constitute an official statement or position by ADA and is not intended by the parties to create any legal obligations for ADA or its individual members. ADA is not a standard setting organization, and information provided pursuant to this Alliance Agreement is not intended as a legally binding standard or guideline.

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, the team will meet at least quarterly 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.


______________________
John Henshaw
Assistant Secretary
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  _______
  Date
 

______________________
Eugene Sekiguchi, D.D.S.
President
American Dental Association
  _______
  Date
 

______________________
James B. Bramson, D.D.S.
Executive Director
American Dental Association
  _______
  Date