10/18/07 Workplace Safety

Workplace Safety. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. The Department of Labor and Industries is offering 5 new workshops focusing on workplace safety. According to Elaine, Fischer with L&I it's a good place for employers to get up-to-date information. FISCHER: These workshops are aimed at employers and this is to help them understand L&I better and to learn the things that they need to do in order to operate their businesses better. Fischer says the employers now have more choices. FISCHER: We've redesigned our workshop format so that employers will have a choice of selecting whatever programs meet their needs and some employers that are new may need the "Employers Introduction to L&I." Others may already know the basics and they want to do more analyzing of the workplace hazards that they have to deal with. The first series of 5 workshops begins next Wednesday on Tacoma. Check the L&I website for other dates and locations. Fischer says there is a lot of free information available on their web site. They also can design a custom seminar to fit specific needs. FISCHER: Employers who need some help from L&I but maybe the workshop doesn't quite meet their need can call our 800 number and request a safety and health consultation. We have staff that will come into your workplace and work with employers to access the needs of that particular workplace, make recommendations and look for hazards. All of that is confidential and the employers can't be cited. You can register for the free workshops by visiting the L&I website at lni.wa.gov. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.