The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Augusta Area Office; the Maine Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Standards, Maine 21(d) Consultation Project (Maine 21(d)); and the Maine
Health Care Association (MHCA) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to
foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA, Maine 21(d), and MHCA hereby form an
Alliance to provide MHCA members and others with information, guidance, and access to training
resources that will help them protect employees’ health and safety, particularly in reducing and
preventing exposure to hazards in the healthcare industry (i.e., ergonomics, needlesticks,
bloodborne pathogens, etc.). In developing this Alliance, OSHA and MHCA recognize that the State
Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort
OSHA, Maine 21(d), and MHCA will work together to achieve the following training and education
goals:
- Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop training and education programs for MHCA members on
the safety and health hazards found in the health care industries and provide expertise in
communicating such information to employers and employees and the industry.
- Deliver or arrange for the delivery of health care industry training and OSHA 10 and 30 hour
general industry courses for a fee that covers overhead expenses, but does not result in a profit
for MHCA.
OSHA, Maine 21(d), and MHCA 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
health care industry hazards and to provide expertise in developing ways of communicating such
information (e.g., print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools and OSHA’s, Maine 21(d)’s
a/k/a SafetyWorks! and MHCA’s Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry.
- Speak, exhibit, or appear at MHCA conferences, local meetings, or other events such as safety and
health related seminars.
- Share information among OSHA personnel, Maine 21(d) consultants and industry safety and health
professionals regarding health care industry best practices or effective approaches, as jointly
determined by OSHA, Maine 21(d), and MHCA.
- Promote and encourage MHCA members’ or workplaces’ participation in OSHA’s cooperative programs
such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP), Consultation, and its Safety
and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP)
- Work with other Alliance participants on issues and projects related to safety and health issues
in the health care industry that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.
OSHA, Maine 21(d), and MHCA and will work together to achieve the following goals related to
promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:
- Raise others’ awareness of and demonstrate their own commitment to workplace safety and health
whenever MHCA leaders address groups.
- Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on health care
safety and health issues to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace.
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 the 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 two years and any 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 all the signatories.
David E. Wacker
Director
Workplace Safety & Health Division
Maine Department of Labor |
Date |
Richard A. Erb
President/CEO
Maine Health Care Association |
Date |
Anthony J. Lemire
Augusta, Maine Acting Area Director
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration |
Date |
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