News Release

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OSHA News Release: [04/10/2006]
Contact Name: Stephanie Cathcart or Sharon Worthy
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676
Release Number: 06-0644-DAL

U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Tours Louisiana Carpenters Regional Council Training Center

BATON ROUGE, La. — U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L .Chao toured the Louisiana Carpenters Regional Council Training Center in Baton Rouge today. The Secretary observed Disaster Response and Recovery Training classes and delivered remarks to students in the program. The Louisiana Carpenters Regional Council Training Center is a recipient of the U.S. Department of Labor's Susan Harwood Training Grant for Disaster Response and Recovery Training. The grants are awarded by the department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to labor unions, colleges and other nonprofit organizations to help train workers. The grants provide critical health and safety training for workers who are engaged in disaster response, cleanup and rebuilding activities in the hurricane-impacted Gulf States region.

"Workers in the skilled trades are important second responders to disaster areas. Long after the ambulances and fire engines have left the scene, you're still there. You are the key to clean-up and recovery," said Chao. "The nearly one million dollar training grant the Carpenters Training Center received last fall is being put to good use in helping ensure that disasters are not compounded by injuries during the response and recovery work."

The grants will help train workers to avoid hazards related to confined spaces; electrical work; construction; hand and power tools; heavy equipment operation; slips, trips and falls; mold; water contamination; respiratory, chemical and biological hazards; and animal and insect bites.

The Secretary observed students learning how to safely operate forklifts and assemble and disassemble scaffolding. The students also performed CPR and administered first aid.

The Louisiana Carpenters Regional Council has played an integral role in helping to rebuild the devastated areas of Louisiana, and is committed to increasing recruitment efforts to help restore areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. The council will also increase training efforts and opportunities for its members.

Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. The role of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

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