Region 5 News Release: 09-439-CHI
April 28, 2009
Contact: Brad Mitchell or Scott Allen
Phone: 312-353-6976

Washington County vocational education students to learn workplace safety from pros at OSHA as part of curriculum

MARIETTA, Ohio -- Over the next two months, some 400 high school vocational students at the Washington County Career Center in Marietta are slated to receive OSHA's 10-Hour Construction and General Industry Training course provided to workers throughout the country.

"This is a great opportunity to help these high school students prepare for the type of safety and health hazards they will encounter when they start working," said OSHA Area Director Deborah Zubaty in Columbus, Ohio. "The OSHA 10-hour training card also will be a nice addition to their resumes."

OSHA is teaming with the Mid-Ohio Valley Safety Council (MOVSC), the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce, the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation and the Washington County Career Center to provide the valuable training to nine different classes of vocational students at no cost to the school system. Courses in general industry, construction and health care will be taught by OSHA personnel from the agency's Columbus office.

"The significance of this training is the impact it will have on safety and health for our workforce in the future," said Zubaty.

The training is the second part of a youth initiative taken on by the MOVSC. In September 2008, the council conducted a Youth Safety Day at the career center that involved a full day of training (70 classes) provided by safety professionals to 250 juniors. Sessions included fire extinguisher training, hearing protection, eye protection, interactive sessions with personal protective equipment, work ethics, safe driving, confined space awareness, electrical hazards and more.

"We know the value this training will provide to the students in increasing their own safety awareness, and it will give them a competitive edge in competition for jobs," said Cheryl Kiggans with Pioneer Pipe Inc. in Marietta and a MOVSC board member.

"The career center is fortunate to have the strong support of the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mid-Ohio Valley Safety Council in teaching our students that safety comes first," said Rhonda Knoch of the center. "We want our students to not only be successful in their careers, but also by their own actions, be protected throughout their lives."

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

Local contact: Lori Smith, member services director, Marietta Chamber of Commerce, 740-373-5176

###

U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.