The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA®) and OSHA have renewed a partnership aimed at fostering safer and more healthful American workplaces.

(Pictured above: AIHA and OSHA representatives following the signing of the agreement. From the left to the right: Director of OSHA's Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, Douglas J. Kalinowski,  OSHA Safety & Health Specialist Christina E. Morgan, AIHA President Cynthia A Ostrowski, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Loren Sweatt, AIHA CEO Larry Sloan.)

Young & temp workers, opioids and other priorities

Through the alliance, the two organizations will pursue the following national priorities, among others: young worker health and safety; temporary workers; workplace hazards within emerging industries; disaster preparedness, response and recovery; and opioids in the workplace.

"AIHA's long-standing alliance with OSHA is of paramount importance — no relationship is valued more," said AIHA President Cynthia A. Ostrowski. "The signing of this agreement marks a renewed effort to unite our resources and expertise to solve new and persistent worker health and safety problems. With this agreement, we recommit ourselves to the promise of a world free of occupational injuries, illnesses and deaths, guided by the application of scientific knowledge."

AIHA and OSHA will partner to achieve the following objectives:

• Share information on occupational safety and health laws and standards, including the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers.
• Promote the use of safety and health programs in workplaces through continued collaboration on the Safe + Sound Campaign for Safety and Health Programs.
• Encourage AIHA local sections to build relationships with OSHA's regional and area offices to address workplace health and safety issues.

AIHA and OSHA recognize that a safer and healthier workplace can be achieved only through collaborative relationships. This partnership will continue to use relevant injury, illness and hazard exposure data, when appropriate, to identify areas of emphasis for awareness, outreach and communication activities.