News from New York State Department of Labor

For more information contact: Jean Genovese, 518-457-9000

NYS Dept. of Labor Offers Free Safety Training in Skaneateles and Geneva for Hospitality & Tourism Industry

ALBANY, NY (04/29/2008; 0800)(readMedia)-- State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith today announced that the Department of Labor’s Division of Safety and Health On-Site Consultation Program is offering free safety training seminars to employers and workers in the hospitality and tourism industries.

The seminars will be led by experienced safety professionals who have been trained at the OSHA Training Institute. The seminars have been specifically developed to address the hazards commonly found in hotels/motels, restaurants, fast-food establishments, resorts, amusement parks, wineries, and more. Employers, supervisors, workers and teens starting their first jobs can benefit from the training seminars.

“The costs associated with workplace injuries can be staggering, with both direct and indirect costs to an employer’s bottom line,” said Commissioner Smith. “In most cases, injuries can be prevented with proper safety training. Our On-Site Consultation Program is a free resource that can help employers identify potential safety hazards before they have a chance to impact their business.”

The training topics include basic safety requirements, back injury prevention, fire protection, kitchen safety, personal protective equipment, and more. Participants will learn how to:

• Identify workplace hazards
• Reduce the chance of accidents and injuries
• Lower Workers’ Compensation costs
• Reduce accident liability concerns
• Comply with OSHA and Child Labor Law regulations

The seminar schedule is as follows:

May 5, 2008
10 am – 3 pm
Sherwood Inn
26 W. Genesee Street
Skaneateles, NY

AND

May 6, 2008
8:30 am – 11 am
Fingerlakes Workforce Investment Board
31 Lewis Street
Geneva, NY

Employers and others wishing to attend a free safety training seminar, and employers who are interested in arranging for training at their worksite, should contact:

For the Skaneateles seminar:

Donna Haley
NYS Dept. of Labor
450 South Salina Street, Room 401
Syracuse, NY 14607
Haley.Donna@dol.gov
315-479-3212

For the Geneva seminar:

Regina Gentry
NYS Dept. of Labor
109 South Union Street, Room 402
Rochester, NY 14607
Gentry.Regina@dol.gov
585-258-4572

Further information about the Department of Labor’s On-Site Consultation Program is available on the agency web site at www.labor.state.ny.us.