SDMS - Alliance Annual Report - November 9, 2007

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
and the
Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS)
November 9, 2007

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed

    October 26, 2004

    Date Renewed

    January 29, 2007

    Overview

    Through the Alliance, OSHA and SDMS are working together to provide the organization's members and others in the medical community with information, guidance, and access to training resources to help protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to work - related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

    Implementation Team Members

    OSHA

    Brett Besser
    Salt Lake Technical Center (SLTC)
    Brently Donaldson
    Directorate of Training and Education
    Sandra Khan
    Office of Outreach Services and Alliances (OOSA)

    SDMS

    Joan Baker
    Chair, SDMS Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMD) Task Force
    Donald Haydon
    Executive Director

    Evaluation Period

    October 26, 2006 - October 25, 2007

  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    January 29, 2007
    Implementation Team Meeting
    March 21, 2007
    Implementation Team Meeting
    August 31, 2007
    Implementation Team Meeting

    In addition to these formal meetings, the Alliance coordinators from both groups maintained regular contact throughout the reporting period to monitor the Alliance's progress and results.

  3. Results

    1. Events and Products

      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 sonography community.

        During this evaluation period, no products or resources have been developed to meet this Alliance goal.

      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 SDMS's Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry.

      Products

      Print and Electronic Media

      Articles on the OSHA and SDMS Alliance renewal have appeared in print and online publications, including, Sonography World, OSHA and SDMS news releases, OSHA QuickTakes, and Occupational Safety and Health magazine. For more information on the print and electronic media, please see the Alliance Program Reach Section of this report.

      OSHA and SDMS Alliance Web page on OSHA's Web Site

      OSHA is continuing to update the OSHA and SDMS Alliance Web page that is posted on the Agency's Web site. The page includes the OSHA and SDMS Alliance agreement, renewal agreement, news releases, activities and events and milestones and successes.

      SDMS and OSHA Alliance Web page on SDMS's Web Site

      SDMS is continuing to update the SDMS and OSHA Alliance Web page on the organization's Web site. The page includes the goals of the Alliance, links to the OSHA and SDMS Alliance Web page on the Agency's Web site and articles related to the Alliance. In addition, the Web page has links to OSHA's Compliance Assistance, Voluntary Protection Programs and Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program Web pages on the Agency's Web site.

      OSHA's Healthcare Facilities Safety and Health Topics page

      SDMS representative, Joan Baker, Chair, WRMD Task Force, participates on the Agency's Healthcare Facilities Safety and Health Topics page's editorial board.

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

      Events

      2007 SDMS Annual Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada, October 12 - 14, 2007

      At the 2007 SDMS Annual Conference, October 12 - 14, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Joan Baker, Chair, WRMD Task Force, gave a presentation, "OSHA and SDMS Alliance Update and Ergonomics for the Cardiac Sonographer," to the conference's attendees on October 12, 2007. In addition, Brett Besser, SLTC, staffed the Alliance Program exhibit within the SDMS Safety Island and distributed copies of the OSHA and SDMS Alliance Activities Summary, Alliance Program brochure and "All About OSHA" to conference attendees.

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

      SDMS Presentations

      SDMS has added information on the Alliance Program and the OSHA and SDMS Alliance to several SDMS ergonomic presentations. For example, Joan Baker, Chair, WRMD Task Force, made the following presentations to numerous healthcare facilities and organizations throughout the United States:

      • Occupational Injury in Sonographers
      • Minimizing Sonographer Injury
      • Ergonomic Challenges in Echocardiography
      • Tools for Worker Safety the Stakes are High
      • Ultrasound Technology: The Picture is Changing

      • Ergonomic Challenges in Echocardiography

      SDMS Clinical Sonography Site Evaluation Reports

      SDMS added information on the Alliance Program and the OSHA and SDMS Alliance to its Clinical Sonography Site Evaluation reports that were completed at several Massachusetts area hospitals including the Brigham & Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. For more information on the print and electronic media, please see the Alliance Program Reach Section of this report.

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

      Products

      OSHA's Hospital eTool Ergonomics Module

      SDMS representative, Joan Baker, Chair, WRMD Task Force, is participating on the Agency's update of its Ergonomics Module of the Hospital eTool with a number of other Alliance Program participants including the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses and the Association of Occupational Heath Professionals. In addition, SDMS representatives provided input and expertise to assist OSHA with the development of its Sonography Module of the Agency's tool. The Sonography Module will be launched on the Agency's Web site in 2008.

    2. Executive Summary

      During the 2006 - 2007 reporting period, OSHA and SDMS continued to work together to help foster a culture of prevention while sharing technical knowledge in the area of ergonomics and promoting safe and healthful working conditions for sonographers. This positive relationship has led to the development of the many programs and projects that the team is currently working on or has produced. For example:

      • OSHA and SDMS regularly update the Alliance-related Web pages on their organizations' Web sites. The Web pages include links to the OSHA and SDMS Alliance agreement, renewal agreement, related documents, and activities and events.

      • OSHA and SDMS representatives share safety and health information and best practices through conferences and presentations. For example, Joan Baker, Chair, WRMD Task Force, added information on the Alliance Program and the OSHA and SDMS Alliance to several ergonomic presentations that she gives throughout the United States including, the Occupational Injuries Conference, October 28, 2006 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and the 4th Annual Conference; Arizona Society of Echocardiography, January 13, 2007 in Phoenix, Arizona.

      • SDMS added information about the Alliance Program and the OSHA and SDMS Alliance to its Clinical Sonography Site Evaluation reports that were completed at several Massachusetts area hospitals.

      • SDMS representatives are participating on the Agency's update of the Ergonomics Module of the Agency's Hospital eTool. In addition, representatives are also providing input and expertise to assist OSHA with the development of its Sonography Module of the Hospital eTool.

      • Joan Baker, Chair, WRMD Task Force participates on OSHA's Healthcare Facilities Safety and Health Topics page's editorial board.

      • Brett Besser, SLTC, USDOL - OSHA staffed the Alliance Program exhibit within the SDMS Safety Island during the 2007 SDMS Annual Conference, October 12 - 14, 2007, in Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition, Joan Baker, Chair, WRMD Task Force, gave a presentation, "OSHA and SDMS Alliance Update and Ergonomics for the Cardiac Sonographer," to the conference's attendees on October 12, 2007.
        Based upon the ongoing successes of the OSHA and SDMS Alliance, the organizations agreed to continue the Alliance and signed a renewal agreement on January 29, 2007.

    3. Alliance Program Reach

      Type of Activity
      (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.)      		 Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
      OSHA and SDMS Alliance Web page on OSHA's Web site 7,213
      SDMS and OSHA Alliance Web page on SDMS's Web site 25,259
      OSHA's Hospital eTool 38,913
      October 28, 2006
      Occupational Injuries Conference
      Boston, Massachusetts
      "Occupational Injury in Sonographers"
      Speaker - Joan Baker      		 50
      January 7 - 10, 2007
      Clinical Site Evaluation
      Obstetrical Ultrasound Lab
      Massachusetts General Hospital
      Boston, Massachusetts      		 35
      January 13, 2007
      4th Annual Conference
      Arizona Society of Echocardiography
      Phoenix, Arizona
      "Minimizing Sonographer Injury"
      Speaker - Joan Baker      		 45
      January 29, 2007 - "SDMS - OSHA Alliance Renewed Original Story"
      Sonography World      		 Data not available
      January 29, 2007 - "OSHA Renews Alliance with the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography"
      OSHA News Release      		 69 News Services
      January 31, 2007 - "New, Renewed OSHA Alliances Include Ergonomic Injuries, Pipeline Contractors"
      Occupational Safety and Health      		 Data not available
      February 6 - 12, 2007
      Clinical Site Evaluation
      Cardiac Ultrasound Lab
      Massachusetts General Hospital
      Boston, Massachusetts      		 40
      February 15, 2007 - "Alliance Activity Update"
      OSHA QuickTakes      		 50,906
      February 2007 - "OSHA Renews Alliance with Medical Society"
      BNA Occupational Safety and Health Reporter      		 Data not available
      July 23, 2007 - "Ergonomic Challenges in Echocardiography"
      Bristol Meyer Squibb
      Austin, Texas
      Speaker - Joan Baker      		 35
      July 24, 2007 - "Tools for Worker Safety - the Stakes are High"
      Bristol Meyer Squibb
      Austin, Texas
      Speaker - Joan Baker      		 25
      September 4, 2007 - "Ultrasound Technology: The Picture is Changing"
      U-Systems
      Seattle, Washington
      Speaker - Joan Baker      		 45
      September 14, 2007 - "Ultrasound Technology: The Picture is Changing"
      Seimens Conference
      Seattle, Washington
      Speaker - Joan Baker      		 45
      September 25, 2007 - "Ergonomic Challenges in Echocardiography"
      Bristol Meyer Squibb
      Minneapolis, Minnesota
      Speaker - Joan Baker      		 40
      October 12 - 14, 2007
      2007 SDMS Annual Conference
      Las Vegas, Nevada
      Exhibit      		 1,300
      October 12 - 14,2007
      2007 SDMS Annual Conference
      Las Vegas, Nevada
      "OSHA and SDMS Alliance Update and Ergonomics for the Cardiac Sonographer"
      Speaker - Joan Baker      		 1,300
      October 23 - 26, 2007
      Clinical Site Evaluation
      Brigham & Women's Hospital
      Boston, Massachusetts      		 50
      October 26, 2007
      Clinical Site Evaluation
      Ultrasound Pasco
      Pasco, Washington      		 35
      TOTAL 74,380

  4. Upcoming Milestones

    In the upcoming year, the OSHA and SDMS Alliance implementation team members will continue to maintain and update the OSHA and SDMS Alliance Web page on the agency's Web site and the SDMS and OSHA Alliance-related Web page on the organization's Web site. Joan Baker will promote the Alliance Program and the OSHA and SDMS Alliance and discuss ergonomic issues during a number of presentations that she gives throughout the United States. In addition, she will continue to provide information on the Alliance Program and the OSHA and SDMS Alliance on her Clinical Sonography Site Evaluation reports.

    SDMS representatives will also continue to participate on the agency's update of the Ergonomic Module and the development of the Sonography Module for the Hospital eTool. Further, Joan Baker will continue to serve on OSHA's Hospital eTool's and the Healthcare Facilities Safety and Health Topics page's editorial boards.

    In addition, SDMS is planning to support and promote the 2008 NAOSH Week, May 4 - 10, 2008. The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), another Alliance Program participant, is the Week's sponsor and many other Alliance Program participants are also supporting the event.

    Finally, OSHA and SDMS Alliance representatives may staff an Alliance Program exhibit booth and give presentations at the 2008 SDMS Annual Conference, October 16 - 19, 2008 in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

Report prepared by: Sandra Khan, Alliance Coordinator, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, November 9, 2007.