AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND
THE SOCIETY OF DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and SDMS hereby form an Alliance to provide SDMS members and others in the medical community with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). In developing this Alliance, OSHA and SDMS recognize that OSHA's State Plan and Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.

OSHA and SDMS will work together to achieve the following training and education goal:

• Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop and promote training and education programs on work-related MSD issues for the medical ultrasound community. (e.g.: employees, employers, educators, medical facilities, and equipment manufacturers)

OSHA and SDMS 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 to employers and employees in the industry.

• Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or SDMS' conferences, and meetings such as, the SDMS Annual Conference, or other ultrasound related events.

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

• Promote and encourage SDMS members or their worksites' participation in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Program, Consultation, and its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.

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

• Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects on MSD and ergonomics that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.

• Encourage diagnostic medical ultrasound worksites to build relationships with OSHA's Regional and Area Offices to address health and safety issues associated with equipment, professional, and administrative control measures.

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

• Raise others' awareness of and demonstrate their own commitment to workplace safety and health whenever SDMS leaders address groups.

• Develop and promote dissemination of case studies illustrating the business value of safety and health and publicize their results.

• Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on MSD and ergonomic issues related to sonography to help 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 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. Team members will include representatives of OSHA's Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs and 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. 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.