Accreditation of occupational health programs: development and validation of criteria.

Defined standards and a mechanism for evaluation of performance can help promote new and improve existing occupational health programs. Criteria must be based on sound principles, be comprehensive, discriminating and attainable. They should apply to small and large establishments with varying hazards. A successful program requires a multi-disciplinary effort involving physicians, nurses, industrial hygienists, health physicists, safety professionals, managers, technicians and labor. Assessment by on-site peer review is necessary. The criteria and process for their use must be accepted by the professions, labor and management. The Occupational Health/Safety Programs Accreditation Commission plans to use the document entitled Standards, Interpretations and Audit Criteria for Performance of Occupational Health Programs in its accreditation activities. The development and validation of this document and its use are described.