AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
The National Association Directors of Nursing Administration
in Long-Term Care

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and National Association Directors of Nursing Administration in Long Term-Care (NADONA/LTC) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and NADONA/LTC therefore agree to form an Alliance to use their collective expertise to help advance a culture of prevention while sharing best practices and technical knowledge, especially in the area of ergonomics.

OSHA and NADONA/LTC agree to establish an Alliance to promote safe and healthful working conditions for the directors and assistant directors of nursing in long-term care by:

• Providing NADONA/LTC members with information and guidance that will help them protect their employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to ergonomic hazards.
• Reaching out to NADONA/LTC members who may benefit from mentoring or guidance in developing, implementing, or improving ergonomic programs.
• Raising awareness of OSHA's ergonomic Guidelines for Nursing Homes.

OSHA and NADONA/LTC will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:

• Develop and disseminate information at conferences, events, or through print and electronic media, including informational links from OSHA's and NADONA/LTC's web sites.
• Speak, exhibit, or appear at conferences, local meetings, or other events to promote the effectiveness of NADONA/LTC members' ergonomic programs.
• Cross-train OSHA personnel and industry safety and health practitioners in NADONA/LTC ergonomic best practices and programs; as jointly defined by OSHA and NADONA/LTC.
• Promote and encourage NADONA/LTC members' participation in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Program, Consultation, and SHARP.
• Encourage NADONA/LTC's members to act as mentors to help implement ergonomic programs and review ergonomic best practices; as jointly defined by OSHA and NADONA/LTC.

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

• Encourage NADONA/LTC members to act as industry liaisons and resources for OSHA's cooperative programs and Compliance Assistance Specialists.
• Share ergonomic best practices and innovative solutions, as jointly determined by OSHA and NADONA/LTC, with others in the health care industry through outreach by NADONA/LTC and OSHA-developed training programs and materials.
• Share information demonstrating the reduction of ergonomic hazards through the use of programs developed by NADONA/LTC and its members. In addition, share examples of ergonomic hazard recognition strategies and analytical tools with OSHA and others in the industry to encourage wide implementation. Promote their implementation through print or electronic media, at conferences, and/or through other means of reaching out to others in the health care industry.
• Convene or participate in stakeholder groups, round table discussions or other forums on ergonomics to help create new solutions to ergonomic issues in the workplace. NADONA/LTC will also help to make the business case for sound ergonomic programs.

OSHA and NADONA/LTC will also work together to achieve the following training and education goal:

• Develop and deliver training and education programs and disseminate information on ergonomic issues.

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 quarterly 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.