The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) recognize the
value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American
workplaces. OSHA, NIOSH, and NHCA hereby form an Alliance 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. In developing this Alliance, OSHA, NIOSH,
and NHCA recognize that OSHA's State Plan and On-site Consultation Project partners are an integral
part of the OSHA national effort.
OSHA, NIOSH, and NHCA 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
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.
- Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA, NIOSH, or NHCA sponsored conferences, local meetings, or other
events such as the annual NHCA conference.
- 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).
- Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects that are addressed and
developed through the Alliance Program.
OSHA, NIOSH, and NHCA will work together to achieve the following goal related to
promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:
- Convene 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.
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, neither OSHA nor NIOSH is endorsing any of that party's products or services; nor do
the Agencies enter into an Alliance with the purpose of promoting a particular party's products or
services.
An implementation team made up of representatives of all three 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 and the Directorate
of Science, Technology and Medicine and any other appropriate offices. OSHA will encourage State
Plan States' and OSHA On-site 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.
Edwin G. Foulke, Jr.
Assistant Secretary
Occupational Health and
Safety Administration |
Date |
John Howard, MD
Director
National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety |
Date |
Deanna Meinke, PhD
President-Elect
National Hearing Conservation Association |
Date |
Dean Ikeda
Acting Regional Administrator
Region X - OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
Date |
R. Güner Gürtunca, PhD
Manager, Hearing Loss Prevention Portfolio
National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety |
Date |
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