OSHA and LIA recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. The Alliance will provide LIA's members and others, including small businesses with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to laser beam and non-beam hazards in industrial and medical workplaces.
In addition, the organizations will focus on sharing information on laser regulations and standards, bioeffects lasers have on the eyes and skin, laser control measures and laser safety program administration. In developing this Alliance, OSHA and LIA recognize that OSHA's State Plan and Consultation Project partners are an integral part of the OSHA national effort.
OSHA and LIA will work together to achieve the following training and education goals:
- Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop training and education programs for OSHA staff, laser manufacturers and laser users of Class 3a, 3b and 4 lasers regarding laser program administration information to employers and employees.
- Deliver or arrange for the delivery of laser-related safety courses.
OSHA and LIA will work together to achieve the following outreach and communication goals:
- Work with OSHA to provide expertise in developing information on the recognition and prevention of laser hazards in the workplace, and to provide expertise in developing ways of communicating such information (e.g. print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools and OSHA's and the LIA's Web site) to employers and employees in medical, industrial, military, research & development, and optical fiber communications industries.
- Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or LIA's conferences, local meetings, or other laser safety training events such as, LIA's International Laser Safety Conference.
- Share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding LIA's best practices or effective approaches and publicize results through outreach by LIA and through OSHA- or LIA-developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any other applicable forum).
- Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects on laser safety that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.
- The OSHA/LIA Alliance details and specific items that are currently in progress can be seen on our site and osha.gov.
Promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:
- Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on laser safety issues to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.
The Laser Institute of America is the professional society dedicated to fostering lasers, laser applications and laser safety worldwide.