Department of Labor Offering Workplace Safety Classes in June

May 30, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 30, 2017 Media Contact: Julie Rabinowitz, (207) 621-5009 Class registration or 1-877-SAFE 345 (1-877-723-3345)

Space is available for classes in Augusta, Bangor, Portland, Presque Isle, Rockland and Springvale.

AUGUSTA?The Maine Department of Labor?s Bureau of Labor Standards is hosting its no-charge safety courses for employers and employees throughout June. Visit the class registration page at www.safetyworksmaine.gov or call 1-877-SAFE 345 (1-877-723-3345) to register for any class.

?Safety is good business for the employee and the company,? said Governor Paul R. LePage. ?Our experienced staff visit your facility to provide advice only at your request and help you identify hazards to help reduce the risk of injuries and illnesses. Visit http://www.safetyworksmaine.gov to learn more.?

Courses are held at no charge to employers and their employees in the SafetyWorks! Training Institute at the Maine Department of Labor, 45 Commerce Drive in Augusta, unless otherwise noted.

Wage and Hour Compliance Assistant:

• Thursday, June 1, 9 a.m. to Noon, Rockland CareerCenter, 91 Camden St., Ste. 201, Rockland
• Wednesday, June 28, 9 a.m. to noon, SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

This course is designed for human resource or benefits professionals, accountants, business owners, managers, or payroll supervisors. Labor laws can be complex. This seminar covers wage and hour laws, including minimum wage, overtime, youth employment, severance pay, equal pay, leave requirements (family medical leave, family sick leave, and domestic violence), and break requirements. Addresses commonly asked labor related questions.

Video Display Terminal--Train the Trainer: Wednesday, June 1, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

Maine?s Video Display Terminal (VDT) law requires employers to train VDT operators how to work safely at the computer. This class will prepare trainers, supervisors and safety team members to recognize the hazards VDT operators are exposed to and eliminate them.

Ladder Safety: Thursday, June 8, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Presque Isle CareerCenter, 66 Spruce St., Ste. 1, Presque Isle

Ladders are a major source of injuries and fatalities in the workplace. Yet falls can be reduced if people use caution when climbing ladders or when working in places where falls are a potential hazard. This course will show participants how falls from ladders can be prevented through education that includes planning for ladder use, inspecting the ladder prior to use, and using basic ladder safeguards.

Accident Investigation/Injury Analysis: Friday, June 9, 8:30 to 12:30 p.m., York County CareerCenter, 9 Bodwell Court, Springvale

When work doesn?t go as planned, accidents and near-misses happen. Investigating these incidents can prevent similar or even more serious problems from happening. Learn how to conduct a thorough accident/incident investigation and how to use your results to prevent future accidents.

Forklift Operator Safety: Monday, June 12, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

This class is designed for new operators. The instruction will involve classroom and hands-on training. Training will include performing a forklift inspection and use of the department?s forklift simulator. This training does not meet the requirements to qualify the participants to be a "qualified operator". Only the employer can provide such certification.

Machine Guarding: Tuesday, June 13, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

Machine Guarding Participants in this class will learn about the standards for metal and woodworking machines as well as various machine guarding techniques. We will apply basic guarding practices when specific issues are not covered in the regulation. OSHA Subpart O will be covered.

10-Hour Construction Standards: Thursday, June 15, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Friday, June 16, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

This one-and-a-half-day course offers basic information on several of the OSHA standards for construction (29 CFR 1926). Attendees who complete the course will receive an OSHA 10-hour course completion certificate. Class runs from 8:30 a.m.?4:30 p.m. on day one and 8:30 a.m.?12:30 p.m. on day two.

30-Hour General Industry Standards: June 19 through 23, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

This five-day course introduces attendees new to safety and health to the OSHA standards for general industry (29 CFR 1910). Attendees who complete all five days will receive an OSHA 30-hour general industry course certificate.

Impairment Detection Training for Employers: Friday, June 23, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Tri-County CareerCenter, 45 Oak St., Ste. 3, Bangor

This training session is designed to help owners, managers and supervisors recognize and respond appropriately to employee impairment in the workplace in order to reduce worker accidents and injuries. Participants will be taught procedures to detect impairment regardless of the substance used or physical conditions such as illness, fatigue etc. that might be the cause. This class is designed to fulfill the federal DOT requirements for reasonable suspicion training of supervisors. In addition, participants will learn how to develop and implement policies that address impairment in the workplace and are in compliance with Maine?s Substance Abuse Testing Law.

OSHA Recordkeeping: Friday, June 23, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Greater Portland CareerCenter, 151 Jetport Blvd., Portland

This class provides thorough and comprehensive six-hour training for both new and experienced safety and human resources personnel. You will learn the OSHA rule (29 CFR 1904) regarding recording and reporting workrelated injuries and illnesses as it applies to your organization. This class includes several hands-on activities on how to correctly fill out the required injury reporting forms.

Establishing an Effective Safety Committee: Tuesday, June 27, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

One of the best elements of successful in injury reduction and prevention is the collaborative involvement of workers, supervisors, and managers in the workplace. This class will give you the skills to put a dynamic committee together or strengthen the work of existing teams. It will provide models for hazard assessment, accident review, and ?near-miss? reporting and help you analyze the strengths and weaknesses of your program, giving you a game plan for greater success.

SafetyWorks! is not OSHA and cannot issue fines or citations to private businesses. While SafetyWorks! helps businesses of any size, priority is given to small businesses. The program trains about 8,000 people and consults at nearly 1,000 worksites in Maine each year. Employers interested in learning more about the consulting and training services offered by SafetyWorks! should call 1-877-SAFE 345 (1-877-723-3345) or visit www.safetyworksmaine.com .

The Bureau of Labor Standards is Maine?s regulatory agency overseeing labor and employment law and workplace safety; it provides both consultation and enforcement services. The division promotes and achieves compliance with labor standards to protect and enhance the welfare of Maine?s workforce.

The State of Maine is an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available to individuals with disabilities upon request.

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