August 17, 2005—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently formed an alliance with ISSA (formerly known as the International Sanitary Supply Association) and the Laser Institute of America, and renewed its alliance with the Sealant, Waterproofing, and Restoration Institute (SWRI).
ISSA joined with OSHA to focus efforts on fostering safer and more healthful work environments for workers in the cleaning and maintenance industry. The organizations will develop training and education programs for ISSA members and others, including small businesses, on slips, trips, and falls, and will address hazard communication issues. ISSA represents more than 5,000 companies worldwide that distribute cleaning and maintenance products, equipment, and related services to hospitals and other health care facilities, schools, factories, food service establishments, corporate complexes, and commercial businesses. For more information, visit the ISSA Web site.
OSHA’s alliance with the Laser Institute focuses on reducing and preventing exposure to laser beam and non-beam hazards in industrial and medical workplaces. The two groups will develop training and education programs for OSHA staff and employers and employees that use lasers in the workplace; share information on the bioeffects that lasers have on the eyes and skin, laser control measures, and laser safety program administration; and develop materials and electronic assistance tools for those in the medical, industrial, military, research & development, and optical fiber communications industries. For more information, visit the Web site.
The two-year renewal of the SWRI alliance will continue to focus on reducing and preventing exposure to lead and silica, and will emphasize safety concerns in the areas of confined spaces, fall protection, and staging requirements for those who work with sealant, waterproofing, and restoration products. OSHA and SWRI have already developed a safety manual with basic information on a wide range of important topics within the industry. The two organizations will continue to develop and disseminate injury and hazard information. For more information, see the Web site.
