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OSHA News Release: [04/11/2003]
Contact Name: Rich
Kulczewski
Phone Number: (303) 844-1302
OSHA Conference in Pueblo, Colo. Assists Employers with
Workplace Emergency Preparedness Planning
Pueblo, Colo.—Practical
information on how Colorado employers can better prepare their workplace for
potential terrorism and workplace emergencies and the role of governmental
agencies in planning for those events was the message of a April 10 conference
in Pueblo, Colo.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA), the “Terrorism: What Every Colorado Employer
Should Know” conference drew approximately 400 participants including a
number of “first responders”—employees of hospitals, law
enforcement and emergency preparedness agencies that would be the first ones
called upon a terrorist event or large scale emergency.
Dave Ippolito, head of OSHA’s Office of Science and Technology
Assessment, talked about OSHA’s mission in support of homeland security
and gave an overview of the agency’s nine month role protecting worker
safety and health at the World Trade Center site.
“All emergencies are local in nature and OSHA can provide guidance
and assistance to employers and workers during response and recovery
operations,” said Ippolito. “During our nine months on-site at the
Trade Center we provided 24/7 assistance including safety and health risk
assessment, overseeing the development of safety and health plans and personal
protection monitoring.”
In addition to OSHA, the federal agency panel featured representatives
from the Federal Emergency Management Administration and the Federal Bureau of
Investigation.
The afternoon session highlighted Colorado state and local government
resources with representatives from the Colorado Office of Emergency
Management, the Office of Preparedness and Security, the Department of Health
and the Aurora HAZMAT Team.
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