Media contact: Anne DeLotto Baier, USF Health Sciences Public Affairs, 813-974-3300 or (cell) 813-598-0643 abaier@hsc.usf.edu
USF SafetyFlorida deploys team to help prevent injuries
among workers involved in Hurricane Charley cleanup
Tampa, FL (Aug. 19, 2004) -- A team from the University of South Florida’s SafetyFlorida Consultation Program leaves today to offer onsite health and safety training to emergency crews cleaning up debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Charley. The 14 USF consultants will work rotations around the clock for the next 4 to 6 weeks with Occupational Safety and Health Administration coordinators in 15 counties, including the hard-hit Charlotte and DeSoto counties.
In addition to well-trained power and construction crews, the disaster cleanup and recovery operation includes day laborers, volunteers and homeowners who may not be as familiar with the basic safety precautions and protective gear needed for such tasks as trimming trees, operating generators, demolishing walls and removing aluminum, glass and concrete.
“The city, county and private contract workers involved in this massive cleanup effort are working under very hazardous conditions,” said Bob Nesbit, assistant director of training for USF SafetyFlorida. “We don’t want to impede their work. Our goal is to ensure the work is done safely to avoid injuries from falls, flooding, electric shock, chain saws and other machinery.”
“This call to action fits in with the educational outreach and training mission of our program,” said Charlene Vespi, associate director and program manager for USF SafetyFlorida.
For more information and safety tips, go the OSHA website at www.osha.gov and click on eTools at the right.
USF SafetyFlorida, funded by a mix of federal and state monies, provides small businesses across the state with workplace safety consultations and guidance. The program complements the initiatives of the
The University of South Florida College of Public Health at the USF Health Sciences Center is the only accredited college of public health in Florida and one of only 34 accredited public health programs nationwide. A leader in health promotion, the College prepares tomorrow's public health professionals to be vital stewards of the public's health and safety. With nearly $24 million in grants and contracts in 2003-04, the College is home to five federally funded Centers of Excellence. Its results-oriented, population-based research helps to promote health and prevent disease across the life span in Florida and the global community by targeting a spectrum of groups to influence behavior toward healthy choices. It also performs extensive workforce re-training for topics ranging from OSHA standards to training first responders in biological defense; disaster management and humanitarian assistance to public health leadership.