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Through the OSHA and The Joint Commission and JCR Alliance renewal agreement, the organizations will continue to work together to protect health care employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to biological and airborne hazards in health care and addressing emergency preparedness, ergonomics, and workplace violence issues. The goals of the Alliance include:

Training and education:

• Provide expertise to develop training and education programs targeted to health care workers on topics including:
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Biological and airborne hazards
  • Ergonomics
  • Workplace violence

Outreach and communication:

• 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 The Joint Commission/JCR's Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry.
• Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or The Joint Commission/JCR conferences, local meetings, or other jointly-sponsored events.
• Share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding The Joint Commission/JCR best practices or effective approaches and publicize results through outreach by The Joint Commission/JCR and through OSHA or The Joint Commission/JCR 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 health care worker safety that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.

Promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:

• Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on health care worker safety related issues to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.

Milestones and Successes

• The Joint Commission and Joint Commission Resources. Alliance Milestones and Successes (2008, January).

Related Documents

Alliance Agreements

• Agreement signed July 27, 2004.
• Renewal Agreement signed November 8, 2006.
• Renewal Agreement signed January 14, 2009.

Alliance Annual Reports

• Alliance Annual Report 2004-2005, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances.
• Alliance Annual Report 2005-2006, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances.
• Alliance Annual Report 2006-2007, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances.
• Alliance Annual Report 2007-2008, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances.

Alliance News Releases

• OSHA Aligns with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and Joint Commission Resources, Inc. OSHA News Release (2004, July 28).
• OSHA Renews Alliance with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and Joint Commission Resources, Inc. OSHA News Release (2006, November 8).

• April 8-9, 2010: Annual Emergency Preparedness Conference, Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, DC.
  • April 8, 2010: Jordan Barab, Deputy Assistant Secretary, USDOL-OSHA, gave opening remarks and provided an OSHA update to attendees.
  • April 8, 2010: Patricia Bray, Medical Officer, Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management, USDOL-OSHA, presented "H1N1 – Swine Flu: A Wake up Call for Pandemic Preparedness."
  • April 8-9, 2010: Sandra Khan and Gary Johnson, Jr., Safety and Occupational Health Specialists, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, USDOL-OSHA, staffed an Alliance Program exhibit booth.
• September 14-16, 2009: The Joint Commission's Annual Conference on Quality and Patient Safety: Explore, Enhance, and Energize --Leadership for the Future, Sofitel Chicago O’Hare, Rosemont, Illinois.
  • September 16, 2009: Rosemary K. Sokas, Director, Office of Occupational Medicine, Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation, "The Worker Safety/Patient Safety Nexus."
• August 21-22, 2009: Annual Infection Prevention and Control Conference, "Mastering Powerful and Practical Infection Prevention Strategies," Marriott Crystal Gateway, Arlington, Virginia.
  • August 21, 2009: Rosemary K. Sokas, Director, Office of Occupational Medicine, Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management, USDOL-OSHA, participated on a panel discussion about reducing health associated infections and the shared responsibility of the government, the healthcare industry, and consumers.
  • August 22, 2009: Patricia Bray, Medical Officer, Office of Occupational Medicine, Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation, "OSHA inspections: Infectious Diseases in Healthcare and Lab Settings."
• May 29, 2009: Healthcare and Security: Preventing Criminal Events Audio Conference.
  • Elise Handelman, Director, Office of Occupational Health Nursing, Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management, USDOL-OSHA, Kathleen McPhaul, PhD, MPH, RN, Assistant Professor, Work and Health Research Center, University of Maryland School of Nursing, and Merlin Wessels, Associate Director, Standards Interpretation Group, The Joint Commission, participated in the audio conference about workplace violence and hospital settings that are at high risk for workplace violence.
• April 14-15, 2009: 2009 Annual Emergency Preparedness Conference, Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, DC.
  • April 15, 2009: John Ferris, Director, Office of Emergency Management, Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation, "Introduction of New OSHA Office of Emergency Management for Protecting Employees Responding to Disasters."
  • Ryan Tremain and Sandra Khan, Safety and Occupational Health Specialists, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, USDOL-OSHA, staffed an Alliance Program exhibit booth during the conference.

Products and Resources

• Alliance Program Participant Background

Environment of Care^® News Articles

• OSHA Issues Directive on Workplace Violence: Health Care Organizations May Be Inspected After Incidents or Complaints Occur [PDF^* - 340 KB]. Through the OSHA and The Joint Commission/Joint Commission Resources (JCR) Alliance, JCR developed an article to help health care facilities identify and abate incidents of workplace violence. (2012, January).
• Worker Exposure to Hazardous Drugs Subject of NIOSH Alert and Guidelines: The Joint Commission and OSHA Lend Support to National Effort to Curb Hazards [PDF^* - 278 KB]. Through the OSHA and The Joint Commission/Joint Commission Resources (JCR) Alliance, JCR developed an article on protecting workers through evaluation, recognition, and control of occupational exposure to hazardous drugs found in health care facilities. (2011, November).
• Nobody Likes It Hot: Preventing Heat Stress in At-Risk Workers [PDF^* - 330 KB]. Through the OSHA and The Joint Commission/Joint Commission Resources (JCR) Alliance, JCR developed an article on heat related illnesses, including signs and symptoms of various illnesses and prevention and treatment tactics. (2011, June).
• The Hazard Communication Standard in Health Care: Labeling, MSDS, and Other Aspects of Dealing with Chemicals [PDF^* - 303 KB]. Through the OSHA and The Joint Commission/Joint Commission Resources (JCR) Alliance, JCR developed an article on hazard communication within the health care industry and how the proposed revisions to the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard would impact current practices. (2011, May).
• Putting the Brakes on Health Care "Road Rage" Recognizing and Opposing Disruptive Behavior to Help Maintain Safety and Security [PDF^* - 312 KB]. Through the OSHA and The Joint Commission/Joint Commission Resources (JCR) Alliance, JCR developed an article on workplace violence within the healthcare industry, including a specific focus on workplace bullying. (2011, February).
• Protecting the Protectors: Best Practices for Protecting EMS Responders [PDF^* - 291 KB]. Through the OSHA and The Joint Commission/Joint Commission Resources (JCR) Alliance, JCR developed an article on protecting emergency medical services responders from hazardous substances releases. (2011, February).
• Underserved Health Care Workers: Lack of Coverage for Frontline Workers Can Compromise Patient Safety [PDF^* - 265 KB]. Through the OSHA and The Joint Commission/Joint Commission Resources (JCR) Alliance, JCR developed an article highlighting the dangers associated with workers serving in the healthcare industry with little or no access to their own medical coverage. (2011, February).

Additional Resources

• Joint Commission/Joint Commission Resources and OSHA Alliance
• Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare Employers [PDF^* - 405 KB]. OSHA Publication (2007, April).
• OSHA Guidance Update on Protecting Employees From Avian Flu (Avian Influenza) Viruses [PDF^* - 1 MB]. OSHA Publication (2006, October).
• Protect Yourself Avian Flu Healthcare Workers Quick Card [PDF^* - 28 KB]. OSHA Publication (2006, October).
• OSHA Best Practices for Hospital-Based First Receivers of Victims. OSHA Publication (2005, October).

Areas of Emphasis

• Emergency Preparedness and Response
• Ergonomics
• Workplace Violence

Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs at 202-693-2200 for assistance accessing PDF materials.

^*These files are provided for downloading.