Region 4 News Release:   USDOL: 01-164
Thurs., Sept. 20, 2001
Contact: Ben Ross
Phone: (404) 562-2300
Contact: Luis Santiago
Phone: (954) 424-0242 ext. 29

FT. LAUDERDALE, FLA. -- Speakers will use real-life examples to demonstrate strategies for reducing worker risks and lowering costs, both human and financial, during a Ft. Lauderdale conference sponsored by the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The conference, scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m., Tues., Sept. 25 and end at 4:00 p.m. Wed., Sept. 26, will be held at The Embassy Suites Hotel, 1100 SE 17^th Street, Fort Lauderdale.

OSHA's Atlanta regional office, along with mental health professionals, administrators, researchers and regulators from all parts of the country, developed the program in response to the increasing number of injuries and deaths reported among psychiatric workers.

"Working together, employers and employees can develop and implement a set of actions appropriate for their facilities," said Cindy Coe, OSHA regional administrator, Atlanta. "Education and prevention are key to reducing worker exposure to conditions that lead to injury and death."

The free conference is for chief executive officers, senior managers and risk managers, but is open to the media and the public. Further information may be obtained by calling Ben Ross at the Atlanta regional office, phone: (404) 562-2284, or 2300; Luis Santiago at the OSHA Ft. Lauderdale area office, phone: (954) 424-0242 ext. 29.

Media inquires should be directed to the Atlanta Office of Public Affairs: Lorette Dempsey, (404) 562-2078, or Jo Anne Burgoyne, (404) 562-2076.