August 18--The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Laser Institute of America (LIA) have formed an alliance that focuses on providing access to training resources to help protect worker safety and health particularly by reducing and preventing exposure to laser beam and non-beam hazards in industrial and medical workplaces.
The alliance calls for OSHA and the institute to work together do develop training and education programs for OSHA staff and employers and employees that use lasers in the workplace. In addition, they will provide laser-related training courses and focus on sharing information on the bioeffects that lasers have on the eyes and skin, laser control measures, and laser safety program administration.
A joint team of representatives from the LIA and OSHA will meet regularly to develop an action plan, identify goals and objectives, and track and share information on activities and results of the alliance.
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.
Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers 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 www.osha.gov.
For more information about the LIA, visit www.laserinstitute.org.