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MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Cavender (573)
751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 20, 2005
Missouri Department of Labor Sends Help for Katrina Victims
Two Occupational Safety & Health Consultants Will Assist in Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts
Jefferson City, MO – In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, two Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ occupational safety and health consultants have volunteered their expertise to assist in relief efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. If selected to assist with the relief efforts, Jeff Brinkmeyer of Blue Springs and Troy Hart of Lonedell would dispatch in October and November, respectively, for a two-week tour of duty.
Brinkmeyer and Hart currently serve as technical response personnel under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Region Seven Emergency Management Plan, a group formed soon after the September 11th tragedy. Earlier this month OSHA activated its National Emergency Management Plan in preparation for a response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina. This provided an opportunity for Brinkmeyer and Hart to volunteer in the recovery efforts.
As occupational safety and health consultants, Brinkmeyer and Hart are responsible for recognizing, evaluating and controlling occupational hazards. Each have earned their Industrial Hygienist Certification, the highest honor in their profession, and have over 26 years of experience between the two of them. They received OSHA training for Technical Assistance for Emergencies and for Incident Command Systems. After their deployment, Brinkmeyer and Hart will use their expertise to provide technical assistance during debris clean up and power restoration, as well as other recovery efforts.
“In times of crisis, volunteers make up the backbone of support for people and communities,” said Allen Dillingham, director of the Missouri Division of Labor Standards. “Jeff Brinkmeyer and Troy Hart should be commended for their willingness to help Americans that are suffering a tremendous hardship.”
Brinkmeyer and Hart are consultants for the Missouri Division of Labor Standards’ On-Site Safety and Health Consultation service. The On-Site program is a free and confidential service that helps Missouri employers with 250 employees or less comply with federal OSHA regulations by locating and removing existing hazards in the facility, thereby reducing injuries and illnesses. For more information regarding this free consultation service, please visit http://www.dolir.mo.gov/ls/oshaconsultation/ or call (573) 751-3403.
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Information and Planning · 3315 W. Truman
Blvd.
· P.O. Box 1958 · Jefferson City, MO
65102-1958
573-751-7500 · 573-751-6552 (Fax)
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