Region 3 News Release: 07-838-PHI (077)
Tues., June 12, 2007
Contact: Leni Uddyback-Fortson
Phone: (215) 861-5102

U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA and Pennsylvania Association of Occupational Health Nurses form statewide alliance

PHILADELPHIA -- A new alliance between the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Pennsylvania Association of Occupational Health Nurses aims to provide safety and health training for Pennsylvania occupational health professionals. The training will focus on OSHA standards, emergency preparedness, musculoskeletal disorders and workplace violence.

OSHA and the professional association, whose members are registered nurses specializing in occupational and environmental health, recently launched the alliance at a ceremony in Philadelphia.

"Through this alliance, occupational health nurses throughout the commonwealth of Pennsylvania will have access to the resources they need to stay safe and healthy on the job," said Marie Cassady, OSHA's acting regional administrator in Philadelphia.

OSHA health and safety alliances are part of U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao's ongoing efforts to improve the health and safety of employees through cooperative partnerships with trade associations, labor organizations, employers and government agencies. OSHA currently has 468 alliances throughout the nation with organizations committed to fostering safety and health in the workplace.

All of OSHA's Pennsylvania area offices are participating in the alliance. For more information, contact the Philadelphia Regional Office at (215) 861-4900.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit OSHA's Web site at www.osha.gov.

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