AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES, INC.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (AAOHN) recognize the value of providing healthy and safe work and community environments. Through forming a collaborative relationship, OSHA and AAOHN will work together and network with interested parties to address workplace health and safety issues, including emergency management, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), and workplace violence.

Occupational and environmental health nursing is a specialty practice that focuses on the promotion, protection and restoration of workers' health and safety within the workplace. AAOHN members develop and provide a wide variety of occupational health and safety programs and services that are unique to a company's size, number and health characteristics of employees, its processes, services or industry, and potential health and safety hazards.

OSHA and AAOHN seek to establish an Alliance to promote healthy and safe workplaces, for large and small businesses, especially in the areas of emergency management, MSDs, and workplace violence by implementing the following overall goals for the Alliance:

• Use OSHA's and AAOHN's expertise and experience to help businesses promote employee wellness and prevent illnesses and injuries within the workplace.
• Respond to employee and employer concerns regarding health and safety issues, review existing AAOHN or OSHA programs, and help to develop and deliver new initiatives.

OSHA and AAOHN will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:

• Disseminate health and safety information and guidance directly to businesses and through meetings (e.g. Chamber of Commerce events, Rotary Club meetings), conferences, events, and print and electronic media, including links from OSHA's and AAOHN's Web sites.
• Encourage AAOHN chapters to build relationships with OSHA's Regional and Area Offices to address health and safety issues, including emergency management, MSDs, and workplace violence.
• Develop electronic assistance tools for OSHA's Web page that address health and safety issues, including emergency management, MSDs, and workplace violence.
• Encourage AAOHN chapters to act as resources for OSHA's Training Institute and Education Centers to assist in the promotion and presentation of health and safety courses, including emergency management, MSDs, and workplace violence.

OSHA and AAOHN will work together to achieve the following goals related to promoting the national dialogue on workplace health and safety:

• Raise awareness of and demonstrate commitment to improving the health and safety of the workplace and reducing injuries and illnesses whenever AAOHN and OSHA leaders address groups.
• Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on health and safety issues, including emergency management, MSDs, and workplace violence to help develop innovative solutions in the workplace and to provide input on health and safety issues.
• Encourage AAOHN's members to act as industry liaisons and resources for OSHA's cooperative programs and Compliance Assistance Specialists.

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 on a regular quarterly schedule to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance. OSHA will encourage State Plan States' and OSHA Consultation Projects' participation on the team.

This agreement will remain in effect for two years from the date of signing and will automatically be renewed annually thereafter. This agreement may be modified at any time with the concurrence of both signatories and may be terminated for any reason with 30 days written notice from either signatory.

Occupational Health and Safety Administration   American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc.