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AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
ASSOCIATION OF PERIOPERATIVE REGISTERED NURSES

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and AORN hereby form an Alliance to provide AORN's members and others, including periOperative healthcare providers, with information, guidance, and access to training resources to protect employees' health and safety. The Alliance will particularity focus on preventing exposure to bloodborne diseases, ergonomic injuries and exposure to smoke plume generated from the use of electrosurgery units (ESU) and lasers. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and AORN recognize that OSHA's State Plan and On-site Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

OSHA and AORN will work together to achieve the following training and education goal:
  • Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop training and education programs for AORN members and others regarding the prevention of percutaneous injuries.
OSHA and AORN 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 AORN's Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry.

  • Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or AORN's conferences, local meetings, such as the annual AORN Congress or other AORN sponsored events.

  • Share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding AORN's best practices or effective approaches and publicize results through outreach by AORN and through OSHA or AORN's developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any other applicable forum).

  • Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects related to ergonomic injuries, bloodborne diseases and exposure to surgical plume that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.

  • Encourage AORN local chapters to build relationships with OSHA's Regional and Area Offices to address health and safety issues, including ergonomic injuries, bloodborne pathogen hazards and exposure to surgical smoke.
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 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 On-site 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


 
Paula Graling, RN, MSN
President
Association of periOperative Registered Nurses


 
Date