Joint Commission/JCR/OSHA Alliance

The Joint Commission and Joint Commission Resources alliance with OSHA provides health care workers and others in the health care industry with information, guidance and access to training resources to help them protect employees' health and safety. The organizations work together to specifically address reducing and preventing exposure to biological and airborne hazards in health care, and addressing emergency preparedness, ergonomics, workplace violence and other health care worker safety issues.

Goals of the Alliance:

1. Education

Provide specific education for health care workers on the following topics:

• Emergency Preparedness
• Biological and airborne hazards
• Ergonomics
• Workplace violence
• Other health care worker safety issues
   

2. Outreach and Communication
 

• JCR and OSHA work in collaboration to develop information on recognizing and preventing workplace hazards and how to communicate this information through various channels.
• Participate in both Joint Commission/JCR and OSHA events and conferences to share information jointly developed.
• Collaborate with other Alliance participants relating to health care worker safety.
   

3. Promote the National Dialogue on Workplace Safety and Health

• Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions or stakeholder meetings on health care worker safety issues and help forge innovative solutions.
   

Resources

Alliance Developed Products

• Article from Environment of Care News, January 2010, "Putting the Brakes on Health Care 'Road Rage': Recognizing and Opposing Disruptive Behavior to Help Maintain Safety and Security"
   
• Article from Environment of Care News, August 2010, "Protecting the Protectors:  Best Practices for Protecting EMS Responders"
   
• Article from Environment of Care News, December 2010, "Underserved Health Care Workers:  Lack of Coverage for Frontline Workers Can Compromise Patient Safety" 
   
• Article from Environment of Care News, March 2011, "The Hazard Communication in Health Care:  Labeling, MSDS, and Other Aspects of Dealing with Chemicals"  
   
• Article from Environment of Care News, June 2011, "Nobody Likes it Hot:  Preventing Heat Stress in At-Risk Workers"
   
• Article from Environment of Care News, November 2011, "Worker Exposure to Hazardous Drugs Subject of NIOSH Alert and Guidelines"
   
• Article from Environment of Care News, January 2012, "OSHA Issues Directive on Workplace Violence: Health Care Organizations May Be Inspected After Incidents or Complaints Occur"
   
• Article from Environment of Care News, February 2012, "Top 10 OSHA Citations in Health Care"
   
• Article from Environment of Care News, May 2012, "American Occupational Safety and Health Week: Job safety stressed"
   
• Article from Environment of Care News, June 2012, "Sharp Focus: How health care workers can prevent exposure to bloodborne pathogens"
   
• Article from Environment of Care News, October 2012, "OSHA 300: A Log to Live By - Properly Documenting Work-Related Injuries/Illnesses Can Reduce Incidents"
   
• Article from Environment of Care News, January 2013, "Green and Clean: How hospitals can protect patients and workers by using earth-friendly and sustainable products/practices"
   
• Article from Environment of Care News, June 2013, "Safety Synergy: The Importance of Stressing Safety for Both Workers and Patients in Health Care Organizations"
   

Additional Resources

• Sentinel Event Alert on Preventing Violence in the Health Care Setting
   
• OSHA's Distracted Driving Campaign
  
   

Read about the milestones and successes of the alliance or for additional information visit OSHA's alliance webpage.