OSHA Trade Release
December 18, 2023
Contact: Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999
OSHA Kansas City region, National Association of Health Care Assistants alliance will help protect certified nursing assistants
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Association of Health Care Assistants have signed an alliance to help protect certified nursing assistants in Missouri area from exposure to safety and health hazards.
The two-year agreement between OSHA's Kansas City regional office and the association calls for participants to provide certified nursing assistants and their employers with training and education on mental health and suicide prevention, and how to identify, prevent and control common industry hazards such as slips, trips and falls; ergonomic injuries; workplace violence; and unsafe biological and chemical exposures. Educational programs will encourage the nursing assistants of all experience levels to report near-misses and unsafe working conditions and behaviors to workplace safety committees.
"Certified nursing assistants provide care in most healthcare settings. Their care for nursing home residents unable to care for themselves and their contributions to keeping these residents safe and comfortable are invaluable," said OSHA Regional Administrator Billie Kizer in Kansas City. "This alliance will help ensure that the people who dedicate themselves to caring for so many others in our communities are protected against the most prevalent industry hazards."
Alliance programs will educate people employed by the industry about their rights, including the use of the OSHA complaint process, and remind employers of their obligation to communicate worker rights' information to workers. Training materials and programs will be available in multiple languages and formats to meet the needs of the audience.
The National Association of Health Care Assistants includes certified nursing assistants employed at nursing homes throughout the U.S.
Through its Alliance Program, OSHA works with organizations such as trade and professional associations, labor unions, educational institutions, community and faith-based groups, and government agencies to share information about OSHA's initiatives and compliance assistance resources with workers and employers, and educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities.