Region 2 News Release:   NY 152
May 25, 2000
Contact: Chester J. Fultz
PHONE: 212-337-2319

Free Presentations and Information Booths From 9:00 to 4:00

"We're from the government and we're here to help-really!"

That tongue-in-cheek promise is the slogan of a rapidly expanding Small Business Information Day being held by the U.S. Labor Department and about 30 other federal, state, and local government agencies next week in Albany, New York.

Members of the business community are invited to attend the free, day-long event on Wednesday, May 31, in the Leo O'Brien Federal Building, where information on OSHA standards and how to comply with them, including a presentation on the cooperative federal-state occupational safety and health consultation service, will be featured.

This free service offers a means by which business owners can have their workplace evaluated for safety and health hazards with no risk of being cited--the state consultants simply provide information to the business owners with no strings attached.

Other Labor Department participants include the Wage and Hour Division, giving attendees information on how to avoid child-labor, overtime, and minimum-wage violations as the summer-jobs season gets into high gear.

In addition, the Labor Department's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs-which is responsible for enforcing statutes requiring federal contractors and subcontractors to guarantee equal employment opportunity without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, or Vietnam-era or disabled veteran status--will sponsor a booth supplying written information and answers to questions as well as a presentation during the day-long program of speakers.

The Small Business Information Day is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In addition to booths and displays, about 18 panel discussions and other presentations are included in the day's program. Attendance at the event is free, as is parking in the vicinity of the federal building, which is located at Clinton Avenue and North Pearl Street in Albany, New York. Sponsors encourage attendees to register by calling (518) 427-5411.