ATLANTA (June 11, 2007) — The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc., has renewed its Alliance with the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The Alliance provides AAOHN members and others, including large and small businesses, with information and guidance about workplace hazard preparedness and security issues, such as workplace violence, musculoskeletal disorders, blood borne pathogens and personal protective equipment. This Alliance was originally signed in 2003 and renewed in 2005.
"AAOHN is pleased to renew this Alliance which gives us an opportunity to work together with OSHA on training and education, outreach and communication, and promotion of the national dialogue on workplace safety and health," said AAOHN President Richard Kowalski. "We are committed to working together with OSHA to promote safe work environments that prevent employee illness and injuries."
"In the four years since this Alliance was originally signed, it has focused on promoting safe and healthful workplaces. Topics addressed include musculoskeletal disorders, workplace violence and promoting the use of automated external defibrillators in the workplace," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. "The Alliance has reached nearly 250,000 people through the collective efforts of OSHA and AAOHN."
Through the Alliance, AAOHN and OSHA representatives sit on the editorial boards of six of OSHA’s Safety and Health Topics Web pages such as blood borne pathogens and needle stick prevention, medical screening and surveillance, occupational health professionals, and tuberculosis. AAOHN also supported and promoted the 2007 North American Occupational Safety and Health Week and OSHA's 2007 Teen Summer Job Safety campaign. OSHA representatives participated in the AAOHN Symposium and Expo in 2006 and 2007.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
Established in 1942, AAOHN is a 10,000-member professional association dedicated to advancing the health, safety and productivity of domestic and global workforces by providing education, research, public policy and practice resources for occupational and environmental health nurses. The AAOHN is the largest group of health care providers serving the worksite. For more information, visit www.aaohn.org.
