Safety association renews alliance with OSHA

Employers and employees will receive valuable workplace safety and health information and training resources on general industry, construction and emergency response issues through a renewed alliance signed October 27 between the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).

Originally signed in 2002, the alliance developed products and resources addressing issues ranging from ergonomics and hazard communication to personal protective equipment and noise and hearing conservation.

"Our renewed alliance with AIHA offers us the opportunity to build upon the many accomplishments we have achieved over the past six years," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke Jr. "We are pleased to continue to work with AIHA to develop resources and offer outreach that will help provide safe and healthful workplaces for employees."

Through the alliance, AIHA has developed several compliance assistance products, including five AIHA QuickTips sheets that provide occupational safety and health professionals with at-a-glance information on specific hazards such as noise and laboratory ergonomics. Alliance Implementation Team members delivered presentations on occupational safety and health issues at two AIHA conferences and expositions, and AIHA supported the 2007 and 2008 North American Occupational Safety and Health Week.

"As one of the first professional associations to enter into an alliance with OSHA more than six years ago, AIHA is pleased to have this opportunity to continue working with OSHA to protect the health and safety of employees," said AIHA president Lindsay E. Booher. "We look forward to continuing and increasing collaboration with our colleagues at OSHA, many of whom are longtime members of AIHA."

AIHA, founded in 1939, is a non-profit organization working with the American Board of Industrial Hygienists to promote the certification of industrial hygienists. The association operates several laboratory accreditation and educational programs. It has approximately 12,000 members in more than 75 local sections.