OSHA has been busy in recent weeks continuing its outreach efforts by renewing a number of key industry alliances.

On July 12 the agency renewed its pact with theBoard of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP)and theCouncil on Certification of Health, Environmental and Safety Technologists (CCHEST). The two-year renewal will allow for the continued provision of information, guidance and access to training resources on the value of safety and health professionalism and accredited certifications.

OSHA also extended its alliance with theAmerican Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)on July 5. Calling the alliance, which was originally formed in 2002, a valuable and proven resource in fostering workplace safety and health, OSHA administrator Ed Foulke extended the agreement for an additional two years. The alliance focuses on addressing ergonomics and hazard communication issues.

And on June 12 at theAmerican Society of Safety Engineers’ (ASSE)Safety 2006 conference OSHA renewed its pact with the largest professional safety organization.

According to Jack Dobson, president of ASSE, the alliance has resulted in “greater participation of OSHA staff in safety and health professional activities, better communications between our members in the states and OSHA regional offices, more member involvement in OSHA’s outreach to share knowledge about protecting workers, and greatly enhanced efforts to spread awareness of occupational safety and health through opportunities like NAOSH Week.”

The OSHA-ASSE alliance was originally formed in 2002 and initially renewed in 2004.

In addition, the agency recently renewed its four-year-old alliance with theNational Safety Council’s (NSC) International Air Transport Sectionand a group of 12 airlines. The groups will continue exploring ways to address ergonomic issues associated with the handling of passenger-checked baggage.