AGREEMENT RENEWING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
JOINT COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION OF HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS/ JOINT COMMISSION RESOURCES

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) / Joint Commission Resources (JCR) hereby renew the Alliance signed July 27, 2004. OSHA and JCAHO/JCR continue to recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. Both organizations are committed to protecting health care employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to biological and airborne hazards in health care and addressing emergency preparedness, ergonomics, and workplace violence issues. In renewing this Alliance, OSHA and JCAHO/JCR recognize that OSHA's State Plan and Onsite Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

OSHA and JCAHO/JCR will work together to achieve the following training and education goal:

• Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop training and education programs targeted to health care workers on topics including:
  • Emergency preparedness
  • Biological and airborne hazards
  • Ergonomics
  • Workplace violence

OSHA and JCAHO/JCR 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 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 JCAHO/JCR's Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry.


• Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or JCAHO/JCR conferences, local meetings, or other jointly-sponsored events.


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


• Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects related to health care worker safety that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.

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

• Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on health care worker safety related issues to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.

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 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 three times per year to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance. Team members will include representatives of OSHA's Directorates of Cooperative and State Programs and Science, Technology and Medicine as well as any other appropriate offices. OSHA will encourage State Plan States' and OSHA Consultation Projects' participation on the team.

This agreement will remain in effect for two years. All signatories 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.