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ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) March 20, 2009
Alliance Background Date Signed February 21, 2008 Overview The OSHA, NIOSH and NHCA Alliance provides NHCA members and others, including young workers and small businesses, with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to noise and chemical ototoxic agents. Implementation Team Members   OSHA:   Deborah Gabry Sandra Khan Health Scientist, Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management Occupational Safety and Health Specialist, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances     NIOSH/NHCA:   Carol Stephenson Mark Stephenson John R. Allen Joe Cissna Theresa Schultz Chief, Training Research and Evaluation Branch, Education and Information Division, NIOSH Senior Research Audiologist Coordinator - NIOSH Hearing Loss Research Program Executive, Crew Health and Safety Manager, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Industrial Hygienist, Portland General Electric Hearing Conservation Manager, "Sperian Hearing Protection" Evaluation Period February 21, 2008 – February 20, 2009   Implementation Team Meetings February 23, 2008 Work-group Meeting May 6, 2008 Kick-off Implementation Team Meeting May 19, 2008 Work-group Conference Call June 16, 2008 Work-group Conference Call August 12, 2008 Work-group Conference Call October 15, 2008 Implementation Team Meeting January 23, 2009 Implementation Team Meeting In addition to these formal meetings, the Alliance coordinators from each organization spoke regularly to discuss and plan the activities and programs listed under events and products.   Results Products and Events Outreach and Communication Goals   Work with OSHA to provide expertise in developing information on the recognition and prevention of hearing loss caused by 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, NIOSH's and NHCA's Web sites) to employers and employees in affected industries. Products Publications and Newsletters Information and news releases on the OSHA and NIOSH/NHCA Alliance and the activities of the Alliance have appeared in a number of printed and online publications, including NIOSH Update, Travelers Risk Control, and Safety Online. For more information on the articles, see the "Alliance Program Reach" table in this report. OSHA and NIOSH/NHCA Alliance Web Page OSHA developed and updates the OSHA and NHCA Alliance Web page on the Agency's Web site with information on the OSHA and NIOSH/NHCA Alliance and its activities, including news releases and activities and events. NHCA/OSHA Web Page NHCA developed and updates the NHCA and OSHA Alliance-related Web page on the NHCA Web site. The page includes links to OSHA and to the Alliance-developed best practice guide, "Hearing Protection-Emerging Trends: Individual Fit Testing." The document provides general information on fit-testing of hearing protectors. Knowledge Sharing NIOSH and NHCA representatives provided their expertise on ototoxic chemical exposure and hearing loss with OSHA’s Region II, Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey Area Office for the development of a presentation for the U.S. Army. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Pages The following NIOSH/NHCA representative is participating on the editorial board of OSHA’s Noise and Hearing Conservation, Safety and Health Topics page:   Carol Stephenson, Chief, Training Research and Evaluation Branch, Education and Information Division   Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA, NIOSH, or NHCA sponsored conferences, local meetings, or other events such as the annual NHCA conference.Events 33rd Annual Hearing Conservation Conference, February 21-23, 2008, Portland, Oregon On February 21, 2008, Dean Ikeda, Deputy Regional Administrator, Region X, Seattle, Washington Regional Office, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation about the OSHA and NIOSH/NHCA Alliance and the importance of preventing work-related hearing loss to 25 attendees prior to signing the OSHA and NIOSH/NHCA Alliance. 34th Annual Hearing Conservation Conference "Conserve to Hear the Future" February 12 to 14, 2009, Atlanta, Georgia On February 13, 2009, Deborah Gabry, Health Scientist, Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management, USDOL-OSHA, hosted an OSHA and NHCA/NIOSH Alliance breakfast chat session. The group discussed the first year of the Alliance and future products that can be produced through the Alliance. Share information among OSHA and NIOSH personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding NHCA recommended best practices or effective approaches and publicize results through outreach by OSHA, NIOSH, and NHCA developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any other applicable forum). Products Hearing Protection-Emerging Trends: Individual Fit Testing Best Practice Guide Through the OSHA and NIOSH/NHCA Alliance, the Implementation Team developed the best practice guide, "Hearing Protection-Emerging Trends: Individual Fit Testing. " The best practice document provides general information on fit-testing of hearing protectors. Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program. Products Toolbox Talks: Hearing Conservation in the Shipbuilding Industry Through the OSHA and NIOSH/NHCA Alliance and the OSHA and American Shipbuilding Association, National Maritime Safety Association, and National Shipbuilding Research Program Alliances, the organizations are developing toolbox talks on noise and hearing protection for the shipbuilding industry. The toolbox talks will be completed in spring 2009. Promoting the National Dialogue on Workplace Safety and Health GoalsConvene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on workplace hearing loss prevention issues to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues. During this evaluation period, no products or resources have been developed to meet this Alliance goal.   Results During the first year of the OSHA and NIOSH/NHCA Alliance, OSHA and NIOSH/.NHCA engaged in many projects to provide NHCA members and others, including young workers and small businesses, with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to noise and chemical ototoxic agents. To meet the Alliance’s goals, OSHA and NIOSH/NHCA Alliance Implementation Team members worked on a number of projects, including making presentations and exhibiting at conferences and meetings to share information about reducing and preventing exposure to noise and chemical ototoxic agents. For example, through the Alliance, OSHA and NIOSH/NHCA Alliance Implementation Team members developed the best practice guide, "Hearing Protection-Emerging Trends: Individual Fit Testing." NIOSH and NCHA representatives have also shared compliance assistance information through the following outreach activities: On February 21, 2008 at the 33rd Annual Hearing Conservation Conference, Portland, Oregon, Dean Ikeda, Deputy Regional Administrator, Region X, Seattle, Washington Regional Office, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation about the OSHA and NIOSH/NHCA Alliance and the importance of preventing work-related hearing loss to 25 attendees prior to signing the OSHA and NIOSH/NHCA Alliance. On February 13, 2009, Deborah Gabry, Deborah Gabry, Health Scientist, Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management, USDOL-OSHA, hosted an OSHA and NHCA/NIOSH Alliance breakfast chat session at the 34th Annual Hearing Conservation Conference, in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition, OSHA created and updates the OSHA and NIOSH/NHCA Alliance Web page on Agency Web site that includes links to the OSHA and NIOSH/NHCA Alliance agreement, a news release, information regarding NIOSH/NHCA conferences, and other resources. NIOSH and NHCA representatives provided their expertise on ototoxic chemical exposure and hearing loss with OSHA’s Region II, Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey Area Office for the development of a presentation for the U.S. Army. Further, NHCA created and maintains a NHCA and OSHA Alliance-related Web page on the association's Web site. The Web page includes information about the OSHA and NIOSH/NHCA Alliance and links to OSHA's Web site and other safety and health information. The OSHA and NIOSH/NHCA Alliance-developed best practice guide, "Hearing Protection-Emerging Trends: Individual Fit Testing " was posted on the page in August 2008 and is linked to from the OSHA and NIOSH/NHCA Alliance Web page on the Agency Web site. Finally, NIOSH/NHCA representative, Carol Stephenson, Chief, Training Research and Evaluation Branch, Education and Information Division, NIOSH serves on the editorial board of the Noise and Hearing Conservation Safety and Health Topics page.   Alliance Program Reach   Type of Activity (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.) Number of Individuals Reached or Trained NHCA/OSHA Alliance-related Web page on the NHCA Web site Data not available OSHA and NIOSH/NHCA Alliance Web page on the OSHA Web site 4,197 Noise and Hearing Conservation Safety and Health Topics page 6,123 February 25, 2008: "OSHA, NIOSH, NHCA Ally Against Noise, Ototoxic Chemical Exposures" Occupational Health & Safety Magazine 90,000 March 24, 2008: "NIOSH, OSHA, and NHCA Establish Alliance on Workplace Hearing Loss Prevention" NIOSH Update Data not available March 25, 2008: "Groups Form Alliance to Prevent Workplace Hearing Loss" Facility Zone Data not available March 26, 2008: "New Alliance Formed Between OSHA, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the National Hearing Conservation Association" Healthy Hearing Data not available March 26, 2008: "Groups Form Alliance to Prevent Workplace Hearing Loss" CleanLink News Data not available March 28, 2008: "NIOSH, OSHA, and NHCA Establish Alliance on Workplace Hearing Loss Prevention" Safety Online Data not available March 2008: "New Alliance Formed between OSHA, NIOSH and the National Hearing Conservation Association" Travelers Risk Control Data not available February 21-23, 2008: 30th Annual Hearing Conservation Conference Portland, Oregon Speaker: Dean Ikeda, Deputy Regional Administrator, Region X, Seattle, Washington Regional Office 25 February 12-14, 2009 34th Annual Hearing Conservation Conference "Conserve to Hear the Future" Atlanta, Georgia 12 Chat Session 7,294 TOTAL 100,357   Upcoming Milestones In 2009, OSHA and NIOSH/NHCA will continue to provide NHCA members and others, including young workers and small businesses, with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to noise and chemical ototoxic agents. For example, OSHA and NIOSH/NHCA will work together to complete the toolbox talks on noise and hearing conservation for the shipbuilding industry. After the toolbox talks are finalized, the organization will work with the OSHA and SkillsUSA Alliance to revise the toolbox talks for the SkillsUSA student instructors and student members. OSHA and NIOSH/NHCA will also work together to translate the best practice guide, "Hearing Protection-Emerging Trends: Individual Fit Testing" and Toolbox Talks: Hearing Conservation in the Shipbuilding Industry into Spanish. NIOSH/NHCA will work with other Alliance Program participants to support and promote the 2009 North American Occupational Safety and Health Week and the 2009 Drug-Free Work Week by adding information on the NIOSH/NHCA Web sites. Finally, NIOSH/NHCA will distribute information on the OSHA and NIOSH/NHCA Alliance, including the OSHA and NIOSH/NHCA Alliance Activities Summary, at a number of conferences, including the NHCA 35th Annual Conference, "Explore the World of Hearing Loss Prevention," February 25-27, 2010, in Orlando Florida. Report prepared by: Sandra Khan, Alliance Coordinator, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, March 20, 2009.