Region 8 News Release:   OSHA1.29
October 29, 2001
Contact: Rich Kulczewski
Phone: 303-844-1302

Safety and health professionals from the Bismarck, North Dakota area office of the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are serving in New York City at the World Trade Center recovery effort.

"The aftermath of the attack on America has brought out the best in Americans and the best in OSHA,"said OSHA Assistant Secretary John Henshaw. "In this effort, our people are using their skills to protect the safety and health of the recovery workers."

Since the September 11 terrorist attack, OSHA has been working with federal, state and local government agencies to minimize the risks of injury and death to the thousands of workers in lower Manhattan.

Two industrial hygienists and 3 safety specialists from the Bismarck area office, which covers both North Dakota and South Dakota, are part of a contingent of 26 OSHA employees from the Rocky Mountain Region who are or will be providing on-site assistance.

According to Bruce Beelman, OSHA area office director, employees involved in the operation include Mary Lou Mauch and Eric Brooks, industrial hygienists, and Enge Dressler, Keith Thompson and John Young, safety specialists.

Approximately 400 OSHA personnel - of which more than 200 are from the New York region alone - are directly involved in the effort.

As part of OSHA's role of consultation and assistance, the agency is conducting air monitoring to characterize possible air contaminant exposures; distributing and fit-checking respirators and other personal protective equipment; and assisting New York City agencies in safety monitoring to address the physical safety of construction and rescue personnel on-site.