Workplace safety symposium planned

    PRESQUE ISLE — A safety symposium is planned for April 3 to help workers and employers improve safety and health in the workplace and reduce job-related injuries and illnesses.
    The one-day event will be held at Northern Maine Community College and is open to the public. The pre-registration price for admission is $25 and the cost of registration at the event is $35.
    Although the symposium is open to the general public, the four break-out sessions each have course options focused in the areas of general industry, construction, health care and municipal worksites. One of the course options is a half-day forklift “Train-the-Trainer” class offered by SafetyWorks!
    Timothy Crowley, NMCC president, will provide the keynote presentation in the morning and the lunch speaker will be Lois Smith of Maine Public Service Co.
    “Work-related injuries and illness cost Maine workers millions each year in terms of medical costs, lost time and lower productivity,” said Maine Labor Commissioner Robert Winglass. “This symposium provides a unique opportunity for the state to partner with the Aroostook County business community to address this issue from the standpoint of prevention.”
    SafetyWorks! is an outreach program of the Maine Department of Labor designed to reduce job-related injuries, illnesses and deaths. Onsite safety training and consultation services are available by request and are provided free of charge. All services are voluntary and completely confidential. SafetyWorks! is not part of OSHA and does not issue citations or fines.
    For more information or to pre-register, visit www.safetyworksmaine.com/symposium or call SafetyWorks! at 623-7922.