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OSHA News Release
2004 - 11/30/2004 - OSHA and Rutgers Occupational Training and Education Consortium Focus on Port Security for Petrochemicals |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 2 News Release: USDL 04-2306-NEW (osha 179) Tues., Nov. 30, 2004 Contact: Kate Dugan Phone: (215) 861-5101 OSHA and Rutgers Occupational Training and Education Consortium Focus on Port Security for Petrochemicals
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. -- A recent seminar at the Rutgers Labor Education Center in New Brunswick about security at petrochemical port facilities has led to agreement among several federal, state, labor union and industry representatives to meet quarterly to review steps to prepare for potential catastrophic events. The meeting evolved from a request made to the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) by the Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union (PACE) Local 2-397, which represents a large number of employees in these types of facilities. The seminar provided a forum for relevant federal and state agencies to update the industry and workers about strategies, policies, practices and regulations have been put in place or will be put in place to harden security at petrochemical port facilities in the event of a catastrophic event. "Our World Trade Center experience taught us that preparation, ongoing working relationships, communication and coordination are keys to emergency response," said Patricia K. Clark, regional administrator for OSHA in New York. "This seminar served as an important opportunity to promote these essential activities. OSHA will continue to play a key role in protecting the safety and health of workers and emergency responders." OSHA, the U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Transportation and Customs and Border Protection participated at the federal level. On the New Jersey state level, the Office of Counter Terrorism, State Police, Department of Health and Senior Services and the Department of Environmental Protection participated. There was also an industry panel composed of representatives from the Petroleum Council of New Jersey and the Chemistry Council of New Jersey. The Rutgers Occupational Training and Education Consortium facilitated the session. Each agency provided updates on regulations, policies and roles while communicating suggested "best practices" and resources that can be utilized to assist with efforts in hardening port security. Plans are being made to replicate this session for other high-risk industries. During the World Trade Center recovery, more than 1,000 OSHA employees worked to ensure the health and safety of workers at the site. OSHA's role in emergency situations is to provide technical assistance and guidance about safety and health measures necessary to safeguard first responders such as police, fire, and healthcare workers as well as workers involved in recovery operations. # # # U.S. Labor Department releases are accessible on the Internet at <http://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 at (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. |
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OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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