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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: 202-219-8211
Workers who are hurt on the job and families of workers who are killed
will get special assistance when they need information from the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration.
"We want to make sure that when a worker is hurt or killed on the job
that the victim or the family has as much information as possible about what
happened," Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman said. "We are naming OSHA's Art
DeCoursey to serve as special liaison to help victims and their families get
the information they need from OSHA."
Charles N. Jeffress, assistant secretary of labor for occupational
safety and health, said DeCoursey will work with victims and their families
when information or assistance is needed beyond that usually provided by OSHA
area and regional offices across the country.
"We must continue to be sensitive to the special interests and needs of
families of those who are hurt, ill or killed on the job," Jeffress said. "In
most cases information flows smoothly. For those unusual cases where special
assistance is needed, Art DeCoursey will be ready to help."
Specifically, DeCoursey will provide a second-tier of assistance beyond
that provided by OSHA area or regional offices by:
- Responding to the concerns of victims or their families about how
OSHA conducts inspections or accident investigations. This includes guidance on
timing of the release of information, how the Freedom of Information and
Privacy Acts affect disclosure of agency information and appeal rights.
- Ensuring that all OSHA area offices have consistent procedures in
place for providing information to victims or their families, and ensuring that
office staff are fully trained in using the procedures.
- Serving as a liaison to organizations that represent or advocate for
victims or their families; and
- Bringing to the attention of the assistant secretary special matters
or issues that require his attention.
"This is a new beginning for OSHA," said Ron Hayes, founder and director
of Families In Grief Hold Together. "In taking this step OSHA is showing
compassion and respect for victims and their families. I have long advocated
the need for a special family liaison in OSHA and thank Assistant Secretary
Charles Jeffress for making it happen." Hayes founded FIGHT in 1995 after the
death of his son in a grain handling accident.
DeCoursey, who also serves as Jeffress's liaison for small business,
came to OSHA in 1997 following three years at the Small Business
Administration. He came to Washington in 1993 after working for 15 years for
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the last seven of which he served as manager
of field operations for the Division of Local Mandates in the Auditor General's
office. DeCoursey is a former resident of Carver, Mass., where he served for
five years as a member of the town's Board of Selectmen, the town's governing
body.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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