September 22, 2011

Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce $187,000 to Ensure the Safety And Health of West Virginia Workers

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller, along with Rep. Nick Rahall (all D-W.Va.) today announced that the West Virginia University Research Corporation will receive $187,000 from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Susan Hardwood Training Grant Program to ensure the safety and health of West Virginia workers through hands-on training and educational programs.

The West Virginia University Research Corporation will provide safety and health training to high-risk workers in the construction, logging, oil and gas extraction, landscaping and manufacturing industries. Technical assistance to small businesses will also be offered and will include physical and health hazard assessments and safety program developments. 

“I have been reiterating again and again that it is vital to focus on rebuilding America, which starts with creating jobs and improving the state of our economy,” Senator Manchin said. “Making sure that our workers are well-trained and educated properly is essential to improving the workforce in West Virginia and across our great country.”

“I have always believed that we have an ongoing obligation to make sure that workers can do their jobs in a secure workplace and return home safely to their families,” said Rockefeller.  “This important investment in health and safety training for our employees and technical assistance for our businesses will help keep West Virginians safe on the job and boost productivity in the workplace.”

“A good job begins and ends with safety. With high risk jobs – like this funding will target – every ‘T’ must be crossed and every ‘I’ dotted or catastrophe can strike multiple lives.  West Virginia is no stranger to that fact,” said Rep. Rahall.  “Worker safety is one of the soundest economic investments the federal government can make; unfortunately, we have a fight on our hands to save it in our Nation’s Capitol with those too shortsighted to see its long term benefits.”

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