Region 5 News Release: 08-113-CHI
Jan. 28, 2008
Contact: Scott Allen or Brad Mitchell
Phone: 312-353-6976
U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA to offer free trench and excavation safety seminar in Springfield, Ill. Program aims to reduce injuries and deaths by number 2 killer of construction employees
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Compliance officers from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will present a free trench and excavation safety seminar on Feb. 6, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. CST, at the Operating Engineers Hall, 3520 East Cook St., in Springfield.
"Unprotected trenches and excavations can result in tragic cave-ins, which are the number two killer of construction employees in the United States," said Nick Walters, OSHA's area director in Peoria, Ill. "We want to help employers provide a safer and more healthful workplace for their employees, and to drastically reduce the number of injuries and deaths that occur. This seminar will share best practices and excavation standards."
Trench and excavation safety seminars are part of OSHA's National Emphasis Program. The agency initiated the program to reduce the fatality rate in excavation work, which is 112 percent higher than that in general construction.
The Springfield trench and excavation safety seminar is one of six to be conducted by compliance officers from OSHA's area offices in Peoria, Ill., and Fairview Heights, Ill. The seminars are open to the public, but space is limited. To register, contact Becky Styron at styron.rebecca@dol.gov or telephone 618-632-8612. Each caller is asked to leave a voice mail message with his/her name, telephone number and the number of people attending.
WHO:
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
WHAT:
Trench and Excavation Safety Seminar
WHEN:
Wednesday, Feb. 6 – 2:30 to 4 p.m. CST
WHERE:
Operating Engineers Hall, 3520 East Cook Street, Springfield, Ill.
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U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate 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) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. DOL is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.
