Region 2 News Release: 06-1306-NEW/BOS 2006-217
Friday, Aug. 4, 2006
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald
Phone: (617) 565-2074

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Buffalo area office of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has renewed its alliance with the New York Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) located at Buffalo State College, Niagara Community College, Jamestown Community College and SUNY Brockport/Rochester MetroCenter/SUNY Geneseo.

"This alliance focuses on providing information and training to small businesses in Western New York that seek to improve their existing safety and health programs," said Patricia K. Clark, OSHA's regional administrator. "The response and participation during the past two years has been excellent."

To date, alliance members have conducted 66 training seminars on 11 different safety and health topics. Additionally, nine 10-hour OSHA safety courses were held throughout the alliance region, and 327 people completed these classes. The alliance, signed in 2004, encompasses the 10 Western New York counties.

"These sessions have provided the region's small businesses with the knowledge and training to improve safety and health and reduce injuries and illnesses in their workplaces," said Arthur Dube, OSHA's Buffalo area director. "We will continue working with the SBDC to build on this successful outreach."

The alliance renewal was signed Aug.2 at the OSHA area office in Buffalo. In addition to Clark and Dube, the signatories were Jim King, director of the New York State SBDC, and SBDC regional directors Susan McCartney (Buffalo), Richard Gorko (Niagara and Geneseo), Irene Dobies (Jamestown) and Jan Pisanczyn (Brockport and Rochester). The renewed alliance will remain in effect for two years from the signing date.

OSHA safety and health alliances are part of U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao's ongoing effort to improve the health and safety of workers through cooperative partnerships. OSHA has created more than 400 alliances nationwide with organizations committed to fostering safety and health in the workplace. Information about OSHA alliances in Western New York may be obtained by calling (716) 551-3053.

The SBDC, administered by the State University of New York, seeks to improve the operation, survivability and success of small businesses through low-cost counseling and training services that focus on issues critical to the small-business owner.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

U.S. Labor Department (DOL) releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.