Alliance -- An OSHA Cooperative Program<< Back to Region V

 
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Illinois Council of Long Term Care (ICLTC) recognize the value of continuing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and ICLTC hereby form an Alliance to provide ICLTC members with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help protect employees’ health and safety by reducing and preventing exposure to the numerous health and safety hazards associated with nursing homes, such as but not limited to: bloodborne pathogens, ergonomic hazards from lifting and repetitive tasks, hazards associated with electrical equipment, and exposure to chemicals. The most frequently cited OSHA violations were bloodborne pathogens, uncontrolled electrical hazards, lockout/tagout, hazardous chemicals information, medical services and first aid, recordkeeping, egress and machine guarding issues.

OSHA and ICLTC will work to achieve the following training and education goals:
  • Develop training and education programs for employer and employee members of the ICLTC regarding bloodborne pathogens, biological hazards, ergonomics, lifting and repetitive tasks, chemical exposure and electrical hazards, and to provide expertise in communicating such information to employers and employees members of the ICLTC.

  • Deliver or arrange for the delivery of safety and health-related seminars.

  • Provide expertise to develop workplace safety and health curricula on safety and health issues for ICLTC members.
OSHA and ICLTC will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:
  • Provide expertise in developing information on recognizing and preventing workplace hazards and to develop ways of communicating such information (e.g. print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools and OSHA’s and the ICLTC Alliance members’ Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry.

  • Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA’s or ICLTC’s local meetings, or other ICLTC events.

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

  • Promote and encourage ICLTC 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.

  • Encourage ICLTC members to build relationships with OSHA to address health and safety issues, including repetitive motion and lifting hazards.
OSHA and ICLTC will work to achieve the following goals related to promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:
  • Raise nursing home safety and health awareness of, and demonstrate a commitment to workplace safety and health whenever OSHA and ICLTC leaders address groups.

  • Develop and disseminate case studies illustrating the business value of an effective safety and health program and publicize their results.

  • Convene or participate in forums, seminars, round table discussions or stakeholder meetings on nursing home issues to 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 both organizations will continue to meet following the renewal of this agreement to develop a plan of action, determine working procedures and identify the roles and responsibilities of the participants. Team members will include a representative from OSHA. In addition, the implementation team will meet at least twice a year 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 starting the day of the signing, and 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.
 





 
Diane Turek
Area Director
Occupational Safety and Health Administration


 
Date


 
Terrence P. Sullivan
Executive Director
Illinois Council on Long Term Care


 
Date