Department of Labor Seal photos representing the workforce - digital imagery? copyright 2001 photodisc, inc.
Department of Labor Seal www.osha.gov  [skip navigational links] Search    Advanced Search | A-Z Index
OSHA News Release
2005 - 08/09/2005 - OSHA Aligns with Laser Institute of America

OSHA News Release - Table of Contents OSHA News Release - Table of Contents
Trade News Release Banner Image

Trade Release
August 9, 2005
Contact: Frank Meilinger
Phone: (202) 693-1999


OSHA Aligns with Laser Institute of America

WASHINGTON -- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Laser Institute of America 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.

"This Alliance is a perfect opportunity to expand our efforts to provide access to safety and health training to those in industrial and medical workplaces," said Jonathan L. Snare, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA. "We are pleased to join with the Laser Institute of America, who share our goal of reducing injuries and illnesses among the industry's workers."

"Our members and staff are very pleased to become an OSHA Alliance partner as we share a common commitment to occupational safety," added Peter Baker, Executive Director of the Laser Institute of America. "We look forward to working together to educate OSHA employees and laser users on the safe use of lasers."

The Alliance calls for OSHA and the institute to work together to 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.

Alliance members will produce materials on the recognition and prevention of laser hazards in the workplace and develop electronic assistance tools and other ways to communicate the information to employees and employers in the medical, industrial, military, research & development, and optical fiber communications industries.

A joint team of representatives from the Laser Institute of America 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.


# # #


U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this release will be made available in alternative format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202-693-7773 or TTY 202-693-7755.

OSHA News Release - Table of Contents OSHA News Release - Table of Contents



Back to Top Back to Top www.osha.gov www.dol.gov

Contact Us | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey
Privacy and Security Statement | Disclaimers
Occupational Safety & Health Administration
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20210