Safety and Health Training
Beginning in January 2004 DOLI will offer free training courses designed to give basic information regarding the VOSH standards and their application to the work environment. Check the DOLI web site for a complete list of first quarter courses.

Virginia Apprenticeship Council Recognizes
Outstanding Apprentices for 2003
On December 11, 2003, the Virginia Apprenticeship Council recognized four apprentices as Virginia's Outstanding Apprentices for 2003. Click here to read about the outstanding apprentices and the Virginia Voluntary Apprenticeship Program.

The following items have been reprinted from OSHA's Quick Takes. Some items have been edited for this publication.

Giving Cardiac Arrest Victims a Fighting Chance
OSHA has published a new brochure with life-saving information for workers who may fall victim to sudden cardiac arrest. Saving Sudden Cardiac Arrest Victims in the Workplace provides information on the importance of readily-available automated external defibrillators (AED), and encourages the installation of the devices in workplaces. Also included is a list of resources for more detailed guidance on the use of AEDs as well as how to obtain qualified training. The brochure highlights three success stories provided by the American Heart Association and NIOSH.

Tilt-Up Panel Construction Hazards Subject of Safety Bulletin
OSHA recently issued a safety and health information bulletin for the construction industry. The Tilt-Up Panel Construction Hazard bulletin alerts contractors and construction personnel about hazards associated with unsupported panel walls during construction. The bulletin provides safety recommendations to employers and workers involved in tilt-up construction and also highlights investigation details of a North Carolina accident where three workers were killed when a 20-ton concrete panel collapsed.

DOL Enhances Website on Drug-Free Workplaces
The U.S. Department of Labor wants to help businesses benefit from being drug-free. That's the purpose of the Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace web site, recently revamped to help further that goal. New tools on the web site will better connect employers to valuable online information and resources available to help them establish drug-free workplace programs, while complementing other safety and health initiatives.

Safety First During Forklift Operations
The Illinois On-Site Consultation Program recently added a new Forklift Safety Guide to their web site to help employers address hazards associated with forklift operations. The manuals are offered in both English and Spanish. Additionally, an Administrator's Manual is available to provide employers information on training, along with written and practical tests. All materials are consistent with OSHA's regulations on powered industrial trucks.

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Virginia Works is provided by DOLI, Office of Cooperative Programs.
Tuesday, January 6, 2004