Conference, training on workplace safety slated

A series of training on workplace health and safety procedures will be held this month, as Gov. Juan N. Babauta disclosed that he would sign a proclamation declaring Aug. 15 to 22 as “Commonwealth Health and Safety Week.”

The Northern Marianas Alliance for Safety and Health will host the Governor’s 3rd Annual Safety and Health Conference at the Saipan World Resort from Aug. 16 to 19.

Guest speakers to the conference will include Babauta, Occupational Safety and Health Administration Region 9 administrator Frank Strasheim, Hawaii’s Labor and Industrial Relations director Nelson Befitel, and NMASH officials.

Sessions will include discussions among representatives of the OSHA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the CNMI Emergency Management Office, and the Public Health and Public Safety departments.

CNMI Press Secretary Pete Callaghan said NMASH would conduct training sessions for the construction and general industries and the public sector, where participants could obtain OSHA 502 and 503 certifications.

OSHA will also conduct OSHA 500 Train-the-Trainer construction industry certification sessions. First Aid and CPR training in English, Tagalog, and Mandarin Chinese will be held for conference participants, while Maritime and Shipyard training will also be conducted.

Participating in the conference costs $50, which will cover all sessions, including certification courses, conference packages and materials, and morning and afternoon light refreshments. Registration will begin on Aug. 3.

For registration, interested participants may contact Al Johnson and David Attao at the Northern Marianas College at 234-5498; Christine Parke at the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, 233-7150; Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands president Lynn Knight, 233-1425; Peter Errett of the Saipan Contractors Association, 288-0407; and Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association chairman James Lin, 235-7699.

Interested parties may also register with the Division of Environmental Quality, and the Public Safety, Public Health, Public Works and Labor departments.
Registration fees will also be accepted at the beginning of the conference at the Saipan World Resort on Aug. 16. Registration begins at 8am. (John Ravelo)