Alliance -- An OSHA Cooperative Program<< Back to Concluded Alliances

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), The Greater New York Health Care Facilities Association (GNYHCFA), and the New York State Department of Labor Division of Safety and Health On-Site Consultation Program (NYS Consultation) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA, GNYHCFA, and NYS Consultation hereby form an Alliance to provide GNYHCFA 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 health industry hazards, such as ergonomics and workplace violence. OSHA, GNYHCFA, and NYS Consultation recognize that OSHA's State Plan and Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

OSHA, GNYHCFA, and NYS Consultation will work together to achieve the following training and education goals:
  • Develop training and education programs on regulatory issues and the health care industry, especially concerning Ergonomics and Workplace Violence.
     
  • Deliver or arrange for the delivery of ergonomic and workplace violence courses.
     
  • Develop workplace safety and health curricula, such as course modules addressing ergonomics in the health care setting and workplace violence that can be presented at "in-service" trainings or other forums, in the health care industry.
OSHA, GNYHCFA, and NYS Consultation will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:
  • Develop and disseminate information through print and electronic media, including electronic assistance tools and links from OSHA's and GNYHCFA's Web sites, when the GNYHCFA Web Site is implemented.
     
  • Speak, exhibit, or appear at GNYHCFA conferences, local meetings, seminars and in-service training events, including GNYHCFA Quarterly Training Seminars and Annual Symposium.
     
  • Cross-train OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals in GNYHCFA's best practices as jointly determined by OSHA, GNYHCFA, and NYS Consultation.
     
  • Promote GNYHCFA members' or worksites' participation in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Program, Consultation, and the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).
     
  • Share information on GNYHCFA's worksites' best practices, as jointly determined by OSHA, GNYHCFA, and NYS Consultation, on with others in the industry
     
  • Publicize the results of OSHA, GNYHCFA, and NYS Consultation's collaboration through OSHA and/ or GNYHCFA -developed training programs and materials
     
  • Encourage GNYHCFA member worksites to build relationships with OSHA's Regional and Area Offices to address health and safety issues, through on-site seminars and collaborative training events
OSHA, GNYHCFA, and NYS Consultation will work together to achieve the following goals related to promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:
  • Develop and disseminate case studies illustrating the business value of safety and health in healthcare settings, and publicize their results.
     
  • Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or member meetings on occupational hazards, including ergonomics and workplace violence 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.

The New York State Department of Labor's On-Site Consultation Program will provide resources, as necessary and available, to support the priority training and technical assistance needs for the participants of this alliance. Such assistance, which is provided only at the request of the employer, may be in the form of onsite or off-site safety and/or health consultations. All consultation findings will be kept confidential, so long as employer agrees to correct any serious hazards that may be identified. There are no costs to the employer for the assistance provided by the On-site Consultation Program under this agreement.

To achieve the goals and objectives cited above, OSHA, GNYHCFA, and NYS Consultation will form an implementation and steering team comprised of representatives of their organizations, who 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. Annually, at least two of these meetings will be in
person.

This agreement will remain in effect for two years. 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 Signatories.


SIGNATORIES


 
Patricia K. Clark
Regional Administrator, Region II
Occupational Safety & Health Administration

 
Date


 
Harry R.Ackley, Sr.
Director of Life Safety
Greater New York Healthcare Facilities Association

 
Date


 
James Rush
Director
New York State Department of Labor
On-Site Consultation Program

 
Date


 
Diana Cortez
OSHA Area Director
Tarrytown Area Office

 
Date


 
Harvey Shapiro
OSHA Area Director
Long Island / Bayside Area Offices

 
Date


 
John Tomich
OSHA Area Director
Albany Area Office

 
Date


 
Richard Mendelson
OSHA Area Director
Manhattan Area Office

 
Date