*NEW YORK* -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will join with the New York City Department of Buildings and other partners to provide safety training and heighten awareness of construction safeguards and hazards during New York City's Construction Safety Week from April 27 to May 1.

On April 27, the directors of OSHA's Manhattan and Tarrytown area offices and Department of Buildings officials will provide free training in English and Spanish on fall protection and the proper use of safety harnesses. The training will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. EDT at the New Utrech Reformed Church, 1828 83rd St. (at 18th Ave.) in Brooklyn. The first 75 workers to arrive will receive a free safety harness. No reservations are required.

Additional seminars and other events will be held at various locations throughout the city during Construction Safety Week. These will include:

* How to Identify and Hire a Licensed Contractor.
* Homeowners' Night: Resolving ECB Violations and Illegal Conversions.
* Construction, Demolition and Abatement Operations.
* High Risk Construction Oversight Study: Cranes - Findings and Recommendations.
* High Risk Construction Oversight Study: Excavations - Findings and Recommendations.
* High Risk Construction Oversight Study: Concrete - Findings and Recommendations.

Some of the events require advance registration. A full schedule, including locations, dates, details, participants and registration information is available online at http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/news/constr_safety_week_2009_sch.shtml

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov .

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