ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
and
American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (AAOHN)
June 22, 2008

I. Alliance Background

Date Signed

May 7, 2003

Date Renewed

October 10, 2005
June 4, 2007


Overview

The OSHA and AAOHN Alliance is providing AAOHN members and others, including large and small businesses, with information, guidance and access to training resources to help them protect employees' safety and health. The Alliance focuses on safety and health issues, including workplace hazard preparedness and security issues, such as workplace violence, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) bloodborne pathogens (BBP) and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Implementation Team Members

Evaluation Period

May 7, 2006 – May 6, 2007

II. Implementation Team Meetings

III. Results

1. Events and Products
   
   Outreach and Communication Goals
    
   • 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 AAOHN's Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry.
2. Products
   
   Workplace Violence in Healthcare Quick Tip Card and Violence in the Workplace Advisory
   
   Through the OSHA and AAOHN Alliance, AAOHN developed an Advisory, "Violence in the Workplace," and a Quick Tip Card, "Workplace Violence in Healthcare," that provides guidance for healthcare workers on prevention, response and recovery from a workplace violence incident. OSHA representatives reviewed and provided comments on the documents to AAOHN.
   
   OSHA and AAOHN Alliance Web page
   
   OSHA is continuing to update the OSHA and AAOHN Alliance Web page that is posted on the Agency Web site. The page includes the OSHA and AAOHN Alliance agreement, renewal agreements, annual reports, activities and events, and milestones and successes.
   
   AAOHN Web Site
   
   AAOHN continues to update its Web site with OSHA information related to the occupational and environmental health nursing profession. AAOHN also includes links to the Agency Safety and Health Topics pages and publications on the Public Policy page on its Web site. In addition, AAOHN provided information about the OSHA 2008 Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign, the 2008 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week, sponsored by the American Society of Safety Engineers, an Alliance Program participant and the 2008 Annual Emergency Preparedness Conference, sponsored by The Joint Commission/Joint Commission Resources (JCR), an Alliance Program participant.
   
   OSHA's Electronic Assistance Tools
   
   Through the OSHA and AAOHN Alliance, AAOHN representatives are serving on the editorial boards of the following Safety and Health Topics pages providing OSHA with their expertise and technical review:
   
   Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)
    
   • Ann R. Cox, CAE, Executive Director, AAOHN; Atlanta, Georgia
   • Susan A. Randolph, MSN, RN, COHN-S, FAAOHN, Clinical Instructor, Occupational Health Nursing Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill, North Carolina
   • Jean Randolph, RN, COHN-S/CM, MPA, Health Communications Specialist, DB Consulting Group; Tucker, Georgia
   Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention
    
   • Ann R. Cox, CAE, Executive Director, AAOHN; Atlanta, GA
   • Susan A. Randolph, MSN, RN, COHN-S, FAAOHN, Clinical Instructor, Occupational Health Nursing Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill, North Carolina
   • Jean Randolph, RN, COHN-S/CM, MPA, Health Communications Specialist, DB Consulting Group; Tucker, Georgia
   Medical Screening and Surveillance
    
   • Dean Burgess, Director of Professional Affairs, AAOHN; Atlanta, Georgia
   • Mariann Cameron, RN, BSN, Global Health and Wellness Coordinator, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.; Allentown, Pennsylvania
   • Dawn Eltermann, Director of Occupational Safety and Health, BioServices, McKesson Specialty Pharmaceutical Services; Rockville, Maryland
   • Pamela Hirsch, APRN, MS, Med, Clinical Program Manager, Occupational Health Program/Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards/VHA; Washington, DC
   • Barb Renner, RN, COHN-S, Case Manager, Barnes Care; St. Louis, Missouri
   • Susan Skelly, RN, COHN-S, PHR, Senior Case Management/Workers' Compensation Specialist; Upper Marlboro, Maryland
   •  Margaret Thompson, RN, MSN, COHN-S, FAAOHN, Croft-Taylor Consulting, LLC.; Ridgefield, Connecticut
   Occupational Health Professionals
    
   • Dean Burgess, Director of Professional Affairs, AAOHN; Atlanta, Georgia
   • Dawn Eltermann, Director of Occupational Safety and Health, BioServices, McKesson Specialty Pharmaceutical Services; Rockville, Maryland
   • Pamela Hirsch, APRN, MS, Med, Clinical Program Manager, Occupational Health Program/Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards/VHA; Washington, DC
   • Susan A. Randolph, MSN, RN, COHN-S, FAAOHN, Clinical Instructor, Occupational Health Nursing Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill, North Carolina
   • Barb Renner, RN, COHN-S, Case Manager, Barnes Care; St. Louis, Missouri
   • Margaret Thompson, RN, MSN, COHN-S, FAAOHN, Croft-Taylor Consulting, LLC.; Ridgefield, Connecticut
   Tuberculosis
    
   •  Dean Burgess, Director of Professional Affairs, AAOHN; Atlanta, Georgia
   • Margaret Thompson, RN, MSN, COHN-S, FAAOHN, Croft-Taylor Consulting, LLC; Manhattan, New York
   •  Jean Randolph, RN, COHN-S/CM, MPA, Health Communications Specialist, DB Consulting Group; Tucker, Georgia
   Workplace Violence
    
   • Dean Burgess, Director of Professional Affairs, AAOHN; Atlanta, Georgia
   • Dawn Eltermann, Director of Occupational Safety and Health, BioServices, McKesson Specialty Pharmaceutical Services; Rockville, Maryland
   • Pamela Hirsch, APRN, MS, Med, Clinical Program Manager, Occupational Health Program/Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards/VHA; Washington, D.C.
   • Barb Renner, RN, COHN-S, Case Manager, Barnes Care; St. Louis, Missouri
   • Margaret Thompson, RN, MSN, COHN-S, FAAOHN, Croft-Taylor Consulting, LLC; Manhattan, New York
   • Jean Randolph, RN, COHN-S/CM, MPA, Health Communications Specialist, DB Consulting Group; Tucker, Georgia
      
   OSHA's Hospital eTool
   
   Through the OSHA and AAOHN Alliance, the following representatives from AAOHN are participating in the Agency update of its Hospital eTool, providing OSHA with their expertise and technical review:
    
   • Ann R. Cox, CAE, Executive Director, AAOHN; Atlanta, Georgia
   • Dean Burgess, Director of Professional Affairs, AAOHN; Atlanta, Georgia
   • Jean Randolph, RN, COHN-S/CM, MPA, Health Communications Specialist, DB Consulting Group; Tucker, Georgia
   • Karen Stoops, Occupational Health Nurse Program Manager, Naval Hospital; Pensacola, Florida
   • Jean Goss, Administrative Director, Employee Health Services, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center; Wake Forest, North Carolina
   • Yolanda Lang, Coordinator Employee and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburg Medical Center; Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
   • Christina Pionk, Nurse Practitioner, University of Michigan Employee Health Services; Ann Arbor, Michigan
   • Olga Tomkins, Manager Occupational Health, Occidental Oil and Gas Corporation; Houston, Texas
      
   Publications and Newsletters
   
   AAOHN posted several OSHA-related articles in its monthly printed and electronic publications, AAOHN Journal, Leadership Link and AAOHN News and in its weekly eNewsletter, AAOHN eNews. In addition, AAOHN post the ProHealth Alert section of its monthly publication, AAOHN News, on its Web site. The articles provide AAOHN members with safety and health information. For a complete listing of the articles, see the Alliance Program Reach Table of this report.
    
   • Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or AAOHN's conferences, local meetings, or other events such as the annual AAOHN Symposium and Expo.
   Events
   
   AAOHN 2008 Symposium and Exposition, April 28-30, 2008, Salt Lake City, Utah
   
   Brett Besser, Industrial Hygienist, DSTM, OOM, USDOL-OSHA staffed an Alliance Program exhibit booth and distributed OSHA compliance assistance and Alliance Program information, including the OSHA and AAOHN Alliance Activities Summary, to attendees at the AAOHN 2008 Symposium and Exposition, April 28-30, 2008, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
    
   • Share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding AAOHN's best practices or effective approaches and publicize results through outreach by AAOHN and through OSHA- or AAOHN-developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any other applicable forum).
   Events
   
   "Bloodborne Pathogens – What You Need to Know to Prevent Disease Transmission in the Workplace" Web cast, November 8, 2007
   
   Through the OSHA and AAOHN Alliance and the OSHA and American Red Cross Alliance, the organizations worked together to develop the content for the Web cast, "Bloodborne Pathogens – What You Need to Know to Prevent Disease Transmission in the Workplace" conducted on November 8, 2007.
   Sheila Arbury, Health Scientist, DSTM, OOHN, USDOL-OSHA; Dionne Williams, Team Leader, DEP, OHE, USDOL-OSHA; and AAOHN representative, Jean Randolph, Health Communications Specialist, DB Consulting Group provided information about OSHA's bloodborne pathogen standard, establishing an exposure control plan and personal protective equipment during the Web cast. Over 2,500 safety and health professionals viewed the Web cast.
    
   • Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects including workplace hazard preparedness and security issues, such as workplace violence, MSDs, BBP and PPE, in the workplace that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.
   Events
   
   2008 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week May 4-10, 2008
   
   On May 5, 2008, Deputy Assistant Secretary Donald Shalhoub, USDOL-OSHA spoke to OSHA staff, Alliance Program participants and other safety and health professionals during the 2008 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week kick-off event at the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C. Sponsored annually by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), an Alliance Program participant, and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, the Week focuses on the importance of preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace. The theme for the 2008 NAOSH Week was "Safety is Good Business." AAOHN representatives also attended the 2008 NAOSH Week Kick-off event at the U.S. Department of Labor on May 5, 2008. The AAOHN, along with a number of other Alliance Program participants, supported the Week.
   
   2008 Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign
   
   Through the OSHA and AAOHN Alliance, AAOHN supported the OSHA 2008 Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign, "Build a Safe Work Foundation," and its Kick-off event on April 21, 2008 by posting information about and a link to the 2008 Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign on its Web site. The focus of the 2008 Campaign is construction with an emphasis on residential building. The Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign is a multi-year project dedicated to increasing awareness about workplace hazards and providing information about the hazards to young workers and their parents.
   
   Promoting the National Dialogue on Workplace Safety and Health
    
   • Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on healthcare issues to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues
   Products
   
   OSHA Regional and Area Office Alliances
   
   AAOHN Chapters are continuing to recognize the value of working together with OSHA through the Alliance Program. The following Regional and Area Office Alliances have been signed:
    
   • Region V, Appleton, Eau Clair, Madison and Milwaukee Area Offices with South Central Wisconsin Association of Occupational Health Nurses (SCWAOHN) signed December 13, 2004; renewed March 7, 2008
     
     Through the Alliance, the organizations are providing SCWAOHN members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety, particularly in the area of ergonomics and patient handling, bloodborne pathogens, exposure to tuberculosis, chemical handling including anesthetic gases, slips/trips/falls, and personal protective equipment.
   • Region III, Wilkes-Barre Area Office with Susquehanna Valley Association of Pennsylvania Occupational Health Nurses (SVAPOHN), Inc. signed October 24, 2006
     
     Through the Alliance, the organizations are providing SVAPOHN members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources to address workplace health and safety issues, including emergency preparedness, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), and workplace violence.
      
3. Executive Summary
   
   On June 4, 2007, OSHA and AAOHN signed an Alliance renewal agreement through which the organizations will continue to work together to address safety and health issues for large and small businesses. In particular, the OSHA and AAOHN Alliance focuses on workplace hazard/emergency preparedness and security issues, such as workplace violence, MSDs BBP and PPE.
   
   To meet the goals of the Alliance agreement, OSHA and AAOHN worked together on several projects. For example, AAOHN representatives are serving on the editorial boards for several of the Agency Safety and Health Topics pages, including Medical Screening and Surveillance and Workplace Violence to provide OSHA with expertise and technical review to assist the Agency with the update and maintenance of the Topics pages. In addition, OSHA and AAOHN representatives provided their expertise and shared information through a number of different avenues. For example:
    
   • AAOHN representatives are providing the Agency with their expertise and technical review on OSHA's update of its Hospital eTool.
   • Through the OSHA and AAOHN Alliance and the OSHA and American Red Cross Alliance, the organizations developed the content for the Web cast, "Bloodborne Pathogens – What You Need to Know to Prevent Disease Transmission in the Workplace" and conducted the Web cast on November 8, 2007.
   • During the AAOHN 2008 Symposium and Exposition, OSHA representative, Brett Besser, Industrial Hygienist, Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine, staffed an Alliance Program exhibit and distributed compliance assistance and Alliance Program information to attendees.
   • AAOHN publishes safety and health information and OSHA-related articles in its monthly printed and electronic publications, AAOHN Journal, Leadership Link and AAOHN News and in its weekly eNewsletter, AAOHN eNews.
   • AOHN, along with other Alliance Program participants, supported 2008 NAOSH Week and the OSHA 2008 Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign.
      
   Finally, Alliances between OSHA's Area Offices and AAOHN Chapters throughout the U.S. continue to provide AAOHN members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety through outreach, education and training
    
4. Alliance Program Reach

IV. Upcoming Milestones

In the upcoming year, the OSHA and AAOHN Alliance will continue to work together to promote healthy and safe workplaces, for large and small businesses. In particular, the organizations will address workplace hazard preparedness and security issues, such as workplace violence, MSDs, BBP and PPE.

For example, AAOHN representatives will continue to serve on the editorial boards of a number of OSHA Safety and Health Topics pages, including Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention and Occupational Health Professionals to provide the Agency with expertise for updating and maintaining its Topics pages. AAOHN representatives will also continue to provide OSHA with input and expertise during the updating of its Hospital eTool.

Through the Alliance, AAOHN will also complete the development of the "Workplace Violence in Healthcare," Quick Tip Card and post it on the AAOHN Web site. OSHA will link to the card from the OSHA and AAOHN Alliance and Alliance Program Participants Developed Products Web pages on the Agency Web site.

In addition, AAOHN will continue to publish OSHA-related articles in its monthly printed and electronic publications, AAOHN Journal, Leadership Link and AAOHN News and in its weekly eNewsletter, AAOHN eNews and will update its Web site with OSHA-related information and add links to new compliance assistance products that the Agency develops. AAOHN will also support the 2008 Drug-Free Work Week, the 2009 NAOSH Week and the OSHA 2009 Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign.

Further, the OSHA and AAOHN Alliance is developing plans to promote the activities of the agreement through a number of speaking and exhibiting opportunities, including the AAOHN 2009 Symposium and Expo that will be held in Orlando, Florida. 


Report prepared by: Sandra Khan, Alliance Coordinator, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, June 22, 2007.