AAOHN AND OSHA SIGN NEW ALLIANCE TO PROMOTE HEALTHY AND SAFE WORKPLACES
ATLANTA — The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) signed an alliance today that will help employers address three of their most critical workplace health and safety challenges — emergency management, musculoskeletal disorders and workplace violence.
"We’re looking at this as more than a PR opportunity," said AAOHN President Deborah V. DiBenedetto. "This alliance is a chance for our members to use their extensive knowledge of ergonomics, violence prevention and all-hazard preparedness to make a difference with a broad number of employers in their regions. Many times, businesses — and particularly small businesses — do not have the background or adequate resources to address workplace health and safety issues, so we are partnering with OSHA to help give employers the framework to review existing programs and develop and deliver new initiatives."
A two-year agreement, the alliance has been under development for several months as the two organizations have been determining its scope.
"We started our focus on ergonomics, but decided to broaden the alliance to encompass the other two areas because both are such priorities for employers right now, and because occupational health nurses have so much to offer employers in these areas," DiBenedetto said.
The first initiative under the ergonomics component of the alliance is a new Web site, www.ergoresources.org, which provides businesses and occupational and environmental health professionals with links to a number of ergonomics resources. Additional elements of the alliance will be determined next month when representatives from both organizations meet to develop a plan of action, determine working procedures and identify the roles and responsibilities of the participants.
Specific goals of the alliance include:
disseminate health and safety information and guidance through meetings, conferences and other events;
encourage AAOHN chapters to build relationships with OSHA’s Regional and Area Offices to address health and safety issues within the alliance’s three key areas;
encourage AAOHN chapters to act as resources for OSHA’s Training Institute and Education Centers to assist in the promotion and presentation of health and safety courses;
raise awareness of and demonstrate commitment to improving the health and safety of the workforce;
convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings about the three topical areas of the alliance; and
encourage AAOHN’s members to act as industry liaisons and resources for OSHA’s cooperative programs and Compliance Assistance Specialists.
"This Alliance provides a unique opportunity to work with occupational safety and health professionals working on the frontlines to address workplace violence, ergonomics and other safety and health issues," said OSHA Administrator John Henshaw. "By working together with AAOHN, we can achieve a greater impact in improving workplace safety and health and reduce injuries, illnesses and fatalities."
In its 60th year, 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. These professionals are the largest group of health care providers serving the worksite.
# # #
