Dec. 5, 2006 — Fostering safer and healthier workplaces for the hospitality and tourism industry is the goal of a new alliance signed today between the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the V.I. Hotel and Tourism Association (HTA) and UVI's Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning (UVICELL) OSHA Consultation program.
According to a news release issued Tuesday, the alliance is the first of its kind between the hospitality industry and OSHA. Through the agreement, OSHA, HTA and the UVICELL will work together to provide members of the Hotel and Tourism Association with information, guidance and access to training resources to positively impact the safety and health of hospitality workers.
The agreement focuses on reducing and preventing exposure to fire and electrical hazards and addressing personal protection equipment and hazard communication issues.
It is important to educate the hospitality workforce about the safety and health hazards in the work environment, said OSHA Regional Administrator Patricia Clark. Together we can provide a sound framework for disseminating information about opportunities to reduce employee injuries and illnesses.
Representing more than 250 members, the Hotel and Tourism Association is a not-for-profit trade association that serves as the unifying organization for accommodations and tourism-related businesses.
OSHA and the UVICELL will provide expertise in developing training and education programs that prevent workplace hazards and provides assistance in developing ways to communicate, such information to employers and employees in the industry.
For more information on the OSHA alliance, contact UVICELL at (340) 693-1100.
