Virginia OSHA establishes “Watch List” to strengthen program

http://www.midatlanticlabor.com/appiesnet/wordpress/?p=1059

September 2009 Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton edition of The Union News

OSHA establishes “Watch List” to strengthen program

BY PAUL LEESON
THEUNIONNEWSABE@AOL.COM

REGION, August 14th- The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), in an effort to crack down on fraudulent trainers, is continuing to strengthen the integrity of its 36 year old Outreach training Program by publishing an “Outreach Watch List” of those who have their trainer authorizations either revoked or suspended.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, OSHA’s role is to promote safe and healthful working conditions for America’s working people by setting and enforcing standards, and provide training, outreach and education.

OSHA recently conducted an undercover investigation as part of its heightened effort to address fraudulent activity by trainers authorized through the OSHA Outreach Training Program. The investigation of a 10-hour course conducted by Don Barker, environmental health and safety director for Thor Construction in Las Vegas, revealed several examples of failure to comply with program guidelines. Barker’s infractions included submitting falsified information regarding the instructional time spent on the topics, failing to collect and retain required documentation and inappropriately advising students not to contact OSHA to report hazards.

OSHA revoked Barker’s Outreach Training authorization after he declined to appeal the decision and his name has been added to the “Watch List” on OSHA’s Web site. To review if any trainer is listed from the Lehigh Valley the watch List is available at: https://www.osha.gov/dte/outreach/construction general industry/watchlist.html. The list is updated weekly.

FULL story at link.