Region 4 News Release: 09-575-ATL (146)
June 9, 2009
Contact: Michael D'Aquino Michael Wald
Phone: 404-562-2076 404-562-2078

OSHA, Indian River State College offer youth job safety training>
Youth Build/Expanding Horizons Program focuses on rewarding summer job experiences

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Indian River State College are teaming up to offer youth job safety awareness training to students between 14 and 16 years of age.

Offered by the college's Corporate and Community Training Institute, the two-week program will provide students with a classroom learning curriculum focused on safety and health and the construction trades. The program also will include the initiation of educational sessions provided under the college's business department's Expanding Horizons Program.

"OSHA is excited to sponsor this program for more than 240 students as part of the agency's Young Worker Initiative, which provides information and resources to teenagers, parents, educators and employers to ensure safe and rewarding work experiences for summer employees," said Darlene Fossum, OSHA's area director in Fort Lauderdale.

Daily sessions will be conducted at Indian River State College's main campus, room E-109, Fort Pierce, Fla., June 15 to 18 and June 22 to 25, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. Additional one-hour OSHA safety workshops for the youths participating in the Expanding Horizons program will be held at other Indian River State College campus locations. Information about this program is available by contacting the college's Corporate and Community Training Institute at 772-462-7635.

In 2008 OSHA and Indian River State College entered into an alliance to enhance the safety awareness skills of students entering the construction field. For more information on OSHA's Youth Build program and workplace safety for teens, visit http://www.osha.gov/teens or contact OSHA's Fort Lauderdale Area Office, 8040 Peters Road, Building H-100; telephone 954-424-0242.

OSHA safety and health alliances are part of the agency's ongoing efforts to improve the safety and health of employees through cooperative partnerships with trade associations, labor organizations, employers and government agencies. OSHA currently has more than 470 alliances throughout the nation with organizations committed to fostering safety and health in the workplace.

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.

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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.