Some 300 employees and managers representing a broad range of industries in Idaho, Oregon and Washington state including food factories, hospitals, print shops, trucking and construction were expected to attend the training conference, which runs through Dec. 2.
SafetyFest of the Great Northwest is being hosted by the OSHA, WGI, the Idaho chapter of Associated General Contractors and the Idaho Division of Professional Technical Education.
"Partnerships such as these in Idaho encourage businesses to develop and maintain effective safety and health programs," said Richard Terrill, OSHA's regional administrator in Seattle. Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne and Terrill were scheduled to speak at the event.
During the first 2 days of the conference, attendees could earn an OSHA 10-hour training certificate by taking part in construction, general industry or highway construction training. Two of the sessions were presented in Spanish.
The remaining 2 days will offer 4-hour classes on crane safety, accident investigation, rigging safety, hearing conservation and sound level monitoring, environmental awareness, equipment safety and safety management.
The conference is free to participants.