Region 1 News Release:   BOS 2001-164
Thursday, November 1, 2001
Contact: John Chavez
Phone: (617) 565-2075

ROBERT W. KOWALSKI APPOINTED OSHA AREA DIRECTOR FOR SOUTHWESTERN CONNECTICUT

BRIDGEPORT - Robert W. Kowalski, a New Haven native and a veteran safety and health professional, has been appointed to head the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's area office in Bridgeport, Conn. As area director, Kowalski oversees a staff of safety and health inspectors and support personnel who administer federal safety and health standards in private sector workplaces in Fairfield, New Haven and Middlesex Counties.

"Bob Kowalski brings to his new job a breadth of knowledge and experience in safety and health enforcement and administration," said Ruth McCully, OSHA's New England Regional Administrator in Boston. "He has the technical expertise and management skills to ensure the safety of working people in Southwestern Connecticut."

Kowalski began his career with OSHA in March 1990 as a compliance officer in the agency's Hartford area office. He moved to the Bridgeport office in July 1991 and rose from compliance officer (July 1991-March 1997) to compliance program manager (March 1997-October 1999) to assistant area director and strategic team leader (October 1999 to October 2001).

Prior to joining OSHA, Kowalski served ten years with the Connecticut Army National Guard in a variety of positions, including supply officer (1980-1981), training officer (1981-1982), and adjutant (1982-1985), at Guard facilities in Waterbury, Manchester and New Haven. From 1985 to 1990, he was the Guard's Ground Safety Officer, managing the safety and health program for the command and overseeing safety and health compliance of full time Guard personnel and traditional Guardsman at Connecticut Army National Guard facilities and at various training sites. In June 1992, Kowalski retired from the U.S. Army Reserves with the rank of Major, Infantry, after 22 years of military service .

"I am committed to fully and fairly enforcing the Occupational Safety and Health Act on behalf of Connecticut's workers," Kowalski said of his appointment. "I will work in partnership with employers, labor, management associations, small business, Federal agencies, the community and others who share the common goals of reducing on-the-job injuries and illnesses and providing safe and healthful workplaces."

A graduate of James Hillhouse High School in New Haven, Kowalski attended Middlesex Community College, Southern Connecticut State University, Quinnipiac College and the University of New Haven. He has completed more than 20 safety and health courses at the OSHA Training Institute in Illinois and at the Army Safety Center at Fort Rucker, Ala. He also graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

Kowalski resides in Wallingford with his wife, Donna. They are the parents of four daughters, Michelle, Christina, Dorothy and Pamela. Kowalski actively volunteers his services in support of church and community activities and has served as scoutmaster, troop committee member and Merit Badge Counselor for his church-sponsored Boy Scout troop.

OSHA's Bridgeport Area Office is located at 1057 Broad St., phone 203-579-5581.

OSHA's toll-free nationwide hotline -- 1-800-321-OSHA (1-800-321-6742) -- may be used to report workplace accidents and fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, especially situations which occur outside of normal business hours. Information about OSHA's standards, compliance assistance and other workplace safety and health issues is available online at OSHA's website: www.osha.gov.