Fall 2001

Forty-seven safety and health professionals from nine southeastern area offices of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration have assisted in the World Trade Center recovery effort.

"The aftermath of the attack on America has brought out the best in Americans and the best in OSHA," said OSHA Assistant Secretary John Henshaw. "In this effort, our people are using their skills to protect the safety and health of the recovery workers.

Since the September 11 terrorist attack, OSHA has worked with federal, state and local government agencies to minimize the risks of injury and death to the thousands of workers in lower Manhattan. Approximately 400 OSHA personnel -- more than 200 from the New York region alone -- are directly involved in the consultation and assistance effort. The agency conducts air monitoring for possible air-contaminant exposures; distributes and fit-checks respirators and other personal protective equipment for rescue workers; and assists New York City agencies in monitoring the physical safety of construction and rescue personnel on-site.

The Southeastern contingent of OSHA employees, serving one-week assignments, includes twenty-nine industrial hygienists, seventeen safety specialists and one safety engineer from area offices located in Mobile, Ala.; Jackson, Miss.; Raleigh, N.C.; Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, and Tampa, Fla.; and Atlanta, and Savannah, Ga.

OSHA Awards More Than $10 Million in Grants for Safety and Health Training Programs

WASHINGTON -- OSHA announced today the latest round of Susan Harwood Training Grants. In all, $10.6 million was awarded to 61 nonprofit organizations for safety and health training programs. Grant monies were awarded for workers employed in high-risk activities or hazards and those affected by new or revised OSHA standards.

"These grants are a key part of OSHA's safety and health partnership and compliance assistance programs with workers and employers that contribute to our overall safety and health mission," said U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao. "Safety and health training add value to all of America's workplace operations and directly impact the bottom line -- fewer injuries and illnesses. Good safety and health practices also add value indirectly by increasing performance, productivity, innovation and creativity."

The grants target safety and health training programs in construction; blood borne pathogens; ergonomics; electrical power generation, transmission and distribution; and hard-to-reach workers.

Among the awardees were:

Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), College Station, Tex. TEEX proposes a one-year program to recruit and train experienced bilingual construction company employees and other qualified individuals to become authorized OSHA 500 construction outreach instructors will be implemented; $200,000.

Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, Houston, Tex. The group will develop an on-line training program on safe handling of blood in a hospital setting. Specific topics include needleless systems, where hazards occur, engineering controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment; $277,182.

Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. of Austin, Texas (ABC), Inc., Central Texas Chapter, Tex. ABC will target small construction firms and contractors, especially minority- and women-owned businesses. The program will emphasize safety instruction within the context of removing cultural, educational, and language barriers and will include plain language and bilingual materials; $153,680.

Associated Builders and Contractors of North Texas, Irving, Tex. The foundation will continue its current training program on the Focus Four construction hazards -electrocution, fall protection, caught-in and struck-by. The training will be delivered to approximately 600 workers and employers in Spanish and to 500 in English; $90,000.

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