DOL, Laborers, Develop Anthrax/Biohazard Training

Dec. 27, 2001
A new training partnership between the Department of Labor and the Laborers International Union will lead to the creation of a new anthrax/biohazard training curriculum.

The Department of Labor has entered a new training partnership with the Laborers International Union to develop an anthrax/biohazard training curriculum. The new partnership was prompted by the recent anthrax outbreaks across the country.

A grant totaling $208,650 from the Labor Department's Employment and Training Administration was awarded to the Laborers as a first step in this partnership. The course material will be developed and tested through the combined expertise of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Laborers and other appropriate government entities.

"Our best response to anthrax and other threats of bioterrorism is to be prepared," said John L. Henshaw, assistant secretary of labor for OSHA. "It is important that we have workers who are well trained to respond to such threats safely and at the same time can help the country get back to normal as quickly as possible."

The Laborers' certified hazardous waste workers will use the new curriculum to upgrade their skills and fine-tune the training process. After pilot tests are complete, the curriculum will be used by other organizations to train workers in the removal of biochemical agents, including 12 OSHA Training Institute Education Centers and state and local One-Stop centers.

The final training curriculum for distribution across the country will include training manuals, CD-ROM and web-based curriculum, a PowerPoint presentation and other training tools.

edited by Sandy Smith ([email protected])

Sponsored Recommendations

3 Essential Elements for a Strong Safety Culture

March 13, 2024
Organizations globally have increased their attention on safety culture: trying to figure out what it really is and the aspects that are necessary to develop and sustain it. And...

Making the Case for Occupational Health Software

March 13, 2024
Deciding to invest in Occupational Health (OH) software can be a challenging leap for many organizations. This article will equip businesses with insightful strategies for effectively...

Fighting the Flu: Solutions for the Workplace

March 13, 2024
Seasonal flu continues to wreak considerable havoc both on individual wellness, as well as on our business continuity and productivity. Explore these solutions for protecting ...

Preventing SIFs with Digitization: Reduce Serious Injuries and Fatalities with Technology

March 13, 2024
This eBook discusses the origins of SIF prevention, outlines principles, models and tools available to EHS leaders to better detect and address SIF potential in their business...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!