AGREEMENT RENEWING 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 continuing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and SDMS hereby renew the Alliance signed October 26, 2004. OSHA and SDMS are committed to protecting sonographers' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). In renewing this Alliance, OSHA and SDMS recognize that OSHA's State Plan and Onsite 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 sonography community.

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 (e.g. print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools and OSHA's and SDMS's Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry.

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

• 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).

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

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 Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine 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. Any 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 all signatories.