The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Health Physics Society (HPS) recognize the value of
establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA and HPS hereby agree
to form an Alliance to use their collective expertise both to enhance workplace health and safety, and to assist employers in
developing a preventive focus for radiological safety and health issues in workplace environments, especially related to
emergency preparedness. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and HPS recognize that OSHA's State Plan and Consultation Project
partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.
HPS members have expertise in understanding, evaluating, and controlling the potential risks from radiation relative to the
benefits of using radiation, as well as controlling and mitigating radiological hazards in the workplace.
OSHA and HSP will work together to achieve the following training and education goal:
- Provide the OSHA Training Institute, upon request, with educational and training materials and resources on radiological
safety and provide peer review, upon request, of OSHA technical documents and training curricula on topics relevant to
radiological safety issues.
HPS and OSHA will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:
- Identify existing and emerging occupational radiological safety and health issues in the workplace and share technical
information and best practices, as jointly determined by OSHA and HPS regarding radiological safety. HPS will identify
individuals within the Society who have expertise on specific radiological safety issues, and who have agreed to serve as
direct points of contact for OSHA regarding these issues.
- Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects on radiological safety that are addressed and
developed through the Alliance Program.
- Develop and disseminate information on radiological safety and health issues through print and electronic media, including
electronic assistance tools and links from OSHA's and HPS' Web sites addressing ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.
- Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or HPS' conferences, such as: HPS' Annual meeting, local meetings, or other Alliance
related events concerning radiological safety issues in the workplace.
HPS and OSHA will work together to achieve the following goals related to promoting the national dialogue:
- Work together to encourage employers to incorporate radiological safety strategies into their overall safety and health
programs.
- Participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings that address radiological safety issues to help
forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.
- Provide OSHA, upon request, with information about international regulations and guidelines relevant to radiological safety.
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, OSHA is not endorsing any of the party's products or services; nor does the Agency enter into an Alliance with
the purpose of promoting a particular party's products or services.
An implementation team made up of representatives of both 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
quarterly 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 Cooperation and State Programs and any other appropriate offices. OSHA will
encourage State Plan States' and OSHA Consultation Project's participation on the team.
The information provided by HPS and/or its members is for the purpose of contributing to informed decision-making by the
Agency and any other recipients of this information. Information provided by HPS does not constitute an official statement or
position by HPS and is not intended by the parties to create any legal obligations for HPS or its individual members.
Information provided pursuant to this Alliance Agreement is not intended as a legally binding standard or guideline.
This Alliance Agreement will remain in effect for two years. Either 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 both
signatories.
John Henshaw
Assistant Secretary
USDOL, OSHA |
Date |
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Kenneth R. Kase, Ph.D, CHP
President
HPS |
Date |
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