The alliance between the two organizations acknowledges the impact of using a cooperative approach between OSHA, management and labor, RIMS announced.

John L. Henshaw, assistant secretary of labor for OSHA, signed the alliance agreement with David Mair, RIMS president, at the RIMS House of Delegates Meeting in New Orleans.

"We hit the ball out of the park this year," Mr. Mair said in describing the impact of the agreement.

He said that the five points in OSHA's partnership goals "are the same ones RIMS proposed in July at the ergonomics hearings [held by the Labor Department]."

RIMS said the two organizations hope to use their collective expertise to help foster a culture of prevention while also sharing technical knowledge and best practices.

According to RIMS, the two organizations will work together to accomplish the following partnership goals:

? Establish lines of communication between OSHA and RIMS membership that will improve the perception of OSHA, foster understanding of RIMS membership safety and health needs, and allow the exchange of technical information and best practices.

? Use the improved communication to help promote use of OSHA's outreach services, including consultation, training, technical assistance and voluntary program participation.

? Develop a method of demonstrating the cost benefits and business value of safety and health management systems.