The two organizations said they will also share information on best practices with others in the occupational health and safety profession and participate in forums and roundtable discussions on workplace safety issues.

Carter Kerk, ASSE member and newly appointed member of OSHA's new National Advisory Committee on Ergonomics said among the practical advice he has for companies is that they examine "engineering controls" and possibly consider altering workplace equipment.

This could involve adjusting the height of conveyers at factories, for example, so that employees' hands are more at their natural, elbow level while working.

Companies might also consider "administrative controls" such as better worker rotations to improve safety, he said.

But, the first thing employers should do to promote workplace safety is to put qualified safety and ergonomics professionals on staff, Mr. Kerk said.

In seeking to make the workplace safer, he said companies should, "Start by looking at common sense, no cost solutions, and implement those before considering spending money on more costly solutions."

"Companies need to perform good job analysis before they can jump in and solve problems," he remarked.

OSHA and ASSE said their outreach and communication efforts would include setting up a process in which ASSE members can mentor and assist OSHA personnel. A team of representatives from the two groups will meet quarterly to further develop working procedures, they said.

"Our members are on the front lines when it comes to workplace safety. OSHA is very knowledgeable from a regulatory standpoint while ASSE is very knowledgeable from a practitioner's standpoint," said ASSE President Mark Hansen.

Mr. Hansen, who is director of risk control for oil and gas at The St. Paul Companies at St. Paul, Minn., said combining ASSE members expertise with the OSHA staff, will provide a "well of resources that corporations and organizations from all industries can tap into in an effort to reduce injuries."

He added that businesses need to know that efficient ergonomic systems will help them compete better in the global marketplace.

"Increased productivity, reduced workers' compensation and health claims and a decline in the number of lost work-days are just a few of the benefits realized," said Mr. Hansen.

OSHA Administrator John Henshaw said, "Safety and health professionals are the key to further reductions in workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities.

"Combining our resources through this alliance will have a tremendous impact on improved worker safety," he predicted.