The premise of the SHP is a team-based approach that integrates pollution prevention with occupational safety and health results in more sound and appropriate solutions. This is in response to the observation that pollution prevention efforts can inadvertently introduce new occupation safety and health problems, and vice versa. (This is sometimes referred to as "risk shifting," when a solution in one area causes problems in another. For example, selecting vinyl gloves to replace latex gloves reduces an occupational hazard yet increases an environmental concern). Therefore the SHP focuses on integrating environmental and occupational perspectives in order to develop sound, sustainable practices. The team approach brings diverse perspectives of members from various departments, facilitating innovative solutions and greater buy-in to changes in practices and products.

The SHP is a program of the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production and it is affiliated with the Department of Work Environment at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Our program members include faculty, staff and students of the Department of Work Environment and the Department of Nursing and we routinely collaborate with other departments and programs within the University.

Key components of the project include:

• This website. The most visible component of the SHP, the website provides resources to educate and help healthcare practitioners identify and evaluate more benign alternatives to existing products and practices.
• On-site technical assistance. We help hospitals, labs, home care agencies and other healthcare providers systematically use a team-based approach to evaluate alternatives in a way that ensures that new products or practices perform satisfactorily and don't inadvertently introduce new risks or unintended consequences.
• Project SHARRP - Safe Homecare and Risk Reduction for Providers. This is a research project of the SHP for prevention of needlestick injuries and blood exposures in the home healthcare setting. This 4 year study (2004-2008) is funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and is being conducted in partnership with industry, labor and state government.
• SHP provides technical support by email (shp@uml.edu) or phone (978-934-3386). SHP staff will provide information or referrals on questions about healthcare product selection, pollution prevention and occupational safety and health.