ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
And the
Laser Institute of America (LIA)
September 23, 2015

1. Alliance Background

   1. Date Signed
      August 9, 2005 (renewed August 22, 2007, May 8, 2012, and December 18, 2014)

   2. Evaluation Period

      August 9, 2014 – August 8, 2015

   3. Overview
      The OSHA and LIA Alliance focuses on providing the organization’s members and others 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, medical, and research workplaces. In addition, the participants share information on laser regulations and standards, bioeffects of lasers on the eyes and skin, laser control measures, and laser safety program administration.

   4. Implementation Team Members
      OSHA

      Morgan Seuberling*

      Safety and Occupational Health Specialist, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs (DCSP)

      Christina Morgan*

      Safety and Occupational Health Specialist, OOSA, DCSP

      Bruce Love

      Program Analyst, Office of Small Business Assistance, DCSP

      Jeffrey Lodwick

      Health Physicist, Salt Lake Technical Center, Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management

      Stephen Schayer

      Health Scientist, Office of Physical Hazards, Directorate of Standards and Guidance

      LIA

      Gus Anibarro

      Education Director, LIA

      Barbara Sams

      Director of Standards Development, LIA

      Hydee Cash

      Education Coordinator, LIA

      *Morgan Seuberling served on the OSHA and LIA Alliance Implementation Team until April 3, 2015. Christina Morgan joined the Team on April 6, 2015.

2. Implementation Team Meetings

   • September 18, 2014
   • January 28, 2015
   • May 18, 2015

   In addition to these formal meetings, the Alliance coordinators from both groups maintained regular contact throughout the reporting period to monitor the Alliance’s progress and results.

3. Results

   The following table summarizes the Alliance’s activities in support of the goals in the Alliance agreement.

   Training and Education: Deliver the Laser Safety Best Practices (LSBP) Seminar three times per year to OSHA staff, On-site Consultation staff, and Compliance Officers in selected Regional/Area Offices.
   Activity Type	Activity Name/Summary	OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported	Number Reached
   Training	LSBP Seminar for OSHA Staff in Region IV September 2, 2014; Tampa, FL	Healthcare	20
   Training	LSBP Seminar for OSHA Staff in Region III / National Office September 10, 2014; Washington, DC	Healthcare	17
   Training	LSBP Seminar for Cal/OSHA staff in Region IX October 21, 2014; San Diego, CA	Healthcare	13
   Training	LSBP Seminar for OSHA Staff in Region IX March 11, 2015; Oakland, CA	Healthcare	13
   Training	LSBP Seminar for OSHA Staff in Region V May 21, 2015; Plantation, FL	Healthcare	15
   Training and Education: Develop information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards and communicate this information to OSHA staff, employers and workers in the industry.
   Activity Type	Activity Name/Summary	OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported	Number Reached
   Product	Fact Sheet: 10 Steps to Starting a Medical Laser Safety Program in Health Care Facilities (PDF*). (November 2014). LIA developed a fact sheet addressing basic information needed to establish an effective laser safety program in health care facilities such as hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, clinics and medical spas.	Healthcare	111
   Product	Fact Sheet: Questions That An OSHA Inspector May Ask You About Laser Safety (PDF*). (November 2014). LIA developed a fact sheet that addresses some of the questions that an OSHA Compliance Officer may ask during inspections of facilities with lasers.	Healthcare	226
   Product	Fact Sheet: Introduction to Laser Safety (PDF). (May 2015). LIA developed a fact sheet that provides an introduction to lasers and exposure hazards.	Healthcare	113
   Dissemination	LIA and OSHA Alliance Web Page LIA maintains and updates the LIA and OSHA Alliance Web page on its Web site. The LIA Web page provides information on the Alliance agreement and related documents posted on the OSHA and LIA Alliance Web page on the Agency Web site. The Web page also contains resources and activities that resulted through the Alliance during this reporting period.	Healthcare	407
   Dissemination	OSHA and LIA Alliance Web Page OSHA maintains and updates the OSHA and LIA Alliance Web page that is posted on the Agency Web site. The Web page includes the Alliance agreements, news releases, activities and events, Alliance-developed products, and resources.	Healthcare	2,435
   Training and Education: Develop a web based training program focusing on the Laser Safety Best Practices Seminar that can be accessed by OSHA staff, OSHA State Plan staff and Onsite Consultation staff.
   Activity Type	Activity Name/Summary	OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported	Number Reached
   Alliance Product	Development of a web based LSBP training course is ongoing at this time.	Healthcare	NA
   Outreach and Communication: Disseminate quarterly (via print and electronic media, social media, electronic assistance tools, and the LIA's web site) information on topics such as OSHA's initiatives, workers' rights, employer and employee responsibilities, and other information on occupational safety and health to employers and workers in the laser industry
   Activity Type	Activity Name/Summary	OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported	Number Reached
   Dissemination	LIA published an article in its LIA Connection E-Newsletter entitled: "OSHA, NIOSH announce recommended practices to protect temporary workers’ safety and health." (September 2014)	Healthcare, Temporary Workers	17,000
   Dissemination	LIA published an announcement for the Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health meeting on November 6, 2014. (September/October 2014)		29,000
   Dissemination	LIA published an article in its LIA Connection E-Newsletter entitled: "OSHA schedules meeting of the Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health." (October 2014)		17,000
   Dissemination	LIA published an article in its LIA Connection E-Newsletter entitled: "Secretary of Labor renews charter of National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health." (November 2014)		17,000
   Dissemination	LIA published an "OSHA Update" article in its LIA Today E-Newsletter describing new reporting requirements going into effect January 1, 2015. (November/December 2014)	Recordkeeping / Reporting	29,000
   Dissemination	LIA published an article in its LIA Connection E-Newsletter entitled: "OSHA Update: New Reporting Requirements Start January 1." (December 2014)	Recordkeeping / Reporting	17,000
   Dissemination	LIA published a link on their alliance webpage to OSHA’s Reporting Requirements webpage. (December 2014)	Recordkeeping / Reporting	Not available
   Dissemination	LIA published in article in the Board of Laser Safety News and Review Journal entitled "OSHA Update: New Reporting Requirements Start January 1." (Vol. 8, Issue 4, December 2014)	Recordkeeping / Reporting	500 Certified Laser Safety Officers (Industry and Medical)
   Dissemination	LIA published an article in its LIA Connection E-Newsletter entitled: "OSHA, Laser Institute of America renew alliance to protect workers from laser hazards." (January 2015)	Healthcare/Small Business
   Dissemination	LIA published an "OSHA Update" article in its LIA Today E-Newsletter announcing renewal of LIA’s alliance with OSHA. (January/February 2015)	Healthcare/Small Business	29,000
   Dissemination	LIA published an article in its LIA Connection E-Newsletter entitled: "OSHA, EPA, and Fertilizer Safety and Health Partners Sign Alliance to Protect Workers and First Responders from Hazardous Chemicals." (February 2015)	Agriculture, Hazard Communication/Chemicals	17,000
   Dissemination	LIA published an article in its LIA Connection E-Newsletter entitled: "OSHA and NIOSH Issue Hazard Alert on Protecting Workers from Silica Exposure during Countertop Manufacture and Installation." (March 2015)	Construction	17,000
   Dissemination	LIA published an article in its LIA Today E-Newsletter entitled "OSHA publishes Notice of Proposed Rulemaking updating a National Consensus Standard in its Eye and Face Protection Standards." (March/April 2015)	Construction, Maritime	29,000
   Dissemination	LIA published an article in its LIA Connection E-Newsletter entitled: "OSHA publishes Notice of Proposed Rulemaking updating a National Consensus Standard in its Eye and Face Protection Standards." (April 2015)	Construction, Maritime	17,000
   Dissemination	LIA published an article in its LIA Connection E-Newsletter entitled "OSHA, NIOSH Release New Toolkit to Better Protect Hospital Workers from Transmissible Diseases." (May 2015)	Healthcare	17,000
   Dissemination	LIA published an article in its LIA Today E-Newsletter entitled "Capitol Hill Stands Down for Construction Fall Safety" (May/June 2015)	Construction, Fall Protection	29,000
   Dissemination	LIA published an article in its LIA Connection E-Newsletter entitled "OSHA Partners with Health Canada to Coordinate Labelling and Classification Requirements for Hazardous Workplace Chemicals." (June 2015)	Hazard Communication/Chemicals	17,000
   Dissemination	LIA published an article in its LIA Connection E-Newsletter entitled "OSHA Adds Key Hazards for Investigators' Focus in Healthcare Inspections." (July 2015)	Healthcare, Ergonomics	17,000
   Dissemination	LIA published an article in its LIA Today E-Newsletter entitled "OSHA Issues Temporary Enforcement Policy for Confined Spaces in Construction." (July/August 2015)	Construction	29,000
   Dissemination	LIA published an article in its LIA Connection E-Newsletter entitled "OSHA Issues Proposed Rulemaking Clarifying the Ongoing Obligation to Make and Maintain Accurate Records of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses." (August 2015)	Recordkeeping / Reporting	17,000
   Outreach and Communication: Provide opportunities annually for OSHA to speak, exhibit, or appear at the Lasers in Manufacturing Event and for OSHA's participation at the biennial International Laser Safety Conference.
   Activity Type	Activity Name/Summary	OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported	Number Reached
   Exhibit	2014 Laser Manufacturing Event Conference and Exposition September 23-24, 2014; Schaumburg, Illinois Region V staff were present at an exhibit booth.		40
   Exhibit	2015 Laser Additive Manufacturing Conference March 4-5, 2015; Orlando, FL Region IV Consultation Staff were present at an exhibit booth.		50
   Exhibit	2015 International Laser Safety Conference March 23-26, 2015; Albuquerque, NM New Mexico OSHA staff were present at an exhibit booth.		200
   Outreach and Communication: Work with other Alliance participants (e.g., The Joint Commission and Joint Commission Resources) to make training on laser safety available to their members, as appropriate.
   Activity Type	Activity Name/Summary	OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported	Number Reached
   Alliance Product	LIA Education Director Gus Anibarro served as a subject matter expert for a Joint Commission Resources Environment of Care News article entitled "Laser Beam Safety Scheme: Why your organization needs to implement an effective medical laser safety program" (PDF*). (February 2015).	Healthcare	Not Available
   TOTAL:			382,160

4. Evaluations
   To ascertain whether the Laser Safety Best Practices training seminars are increasing participants’ knowledge of the subject matter, LIA designed a "pre" and "post" course knowledge test. To date, average test scores have increased markedly after course completion. LIA/OSHA also administers a course evaluation to seminar participants; feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

5. Upcoming Milestones
   In the next year, LIA will continue to conduct Laser Safety Best Practice Seminars for OSHA staff in the Regional, Area Offices, and State Plan States and will use feedback received to improve course content if needed. LIA will also continue to work on a web-based Laser Safety Best Practice training course. In addition, LIA will continue to disseminate information about OSHA’s rulemaking, enforcement, and other initiatives, and provide OSHA with exhibit and speaking opportunities at its conferences.

   Report prepared by: Christina Morgan, Safety & Occupational Health Specialist, DCSP/OOSA; September 23, 2015.

   Activity Types:

   • Alliance Product: Products (e.g., fact sheets, videos, toolbox talks) developed by Alliance participants as part of the Alliance. These are not OSHA products.
   • Dissemination: An Alliance participant sends OSHA information, Alliance products, or other safety and health information to its stakeholders. This includes information sent by email or social media (Facebook, Twitter), and information included in newsletters and other publications. It also includes hits on the Alliance participant’s or OSHA’s Web page.
   • Evaluation: Any efforts by the Alliance participant to evaluate the effectiveness of an Alliance activity or the Alliance as a whole.
   • Event: Participation in events such as the Construction Roundtable and NAOSH Week.
   • Exhibit: OSHA exhibits at events sponsored by the Alliance participant.
   • OSHA Product Review: Review of an OSHA product by an Alliance participant. For example, an Alliance participant may provide technical comments on an OSHA eTool or publication. The review itself is considered the Alliance activity.
   • Speech/Presentation: Speeches or presentation by OSHA staff at events sponsored by the Alliance participant.
   • Training: This includes best practice seminars or other training that Alliance participants provide for OSHA staff. It also includes training for workers/employers/others by Alliance participants.
   • Other: Use this if an activity does not fit into one of the other categories.

   OSHA Areas of Emphasis:

   • Agriculture
   • Asian American/Pacific Islander Workers
   • Construction
   • Ergonomics
   • Fall Prevention
   • Hazard Communication/Chemicals
   • Health Care
   • Heat Illness Prevention
   • Hispanic/Latino Workers
   • Maritime
   • Oil and Gas
   • Small Business
   • Temporary Workers
   • Transportation
   • Young Workers