BEMIDJI, Minn. — Doug Crosby will use his experience from industry and a background in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to debunk myths surrounding the federal agency during an 11:30 a.m. presentation Wednesday, June 17, at the Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation.

The event, held at the center’s off-campus facility at 3801 Bemidji Avenue North as part of a Northern Minnesota Safety Council series on safety issues, has a fee of $25 that covers materials and lunch for the 90-minute session. Advance registration is required by Monday, June 15.

Crosby will use real-life information during the program, which he has entitled “Debunking the Myths of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration,” to provide answers to common questions on administration compliance and address mysteries associated with its regulatory function. The workshop is intended to benefit both employers and employees.

“This session will bring participants up to a level of knowledge that will enable them to feel comfortable during interaction with the administration,” said Crosby. “It will also teach practical techniques to protect an establishment and its employees as well as clarify any questions or misconceptions regarding regulations and compliance statutes relating to safety and health.”

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was established under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to assure safe and healthful working conditions for men and women in the United States. The agency is authorized to set and enforce standards, assist states in their efforts to develop safe environments, and to provide education, information, research and training in the occupational safety.

Since its inception, nonfatal occupational injury and illness rates have dropped 60 percent. At the same time, U.S. employment has doubled to nearly 115 million private sector employees at over eight million worksites.

From Bemidji, Crosby is a former senior investigator for the administration and a 20-year veteran of the construction industry.

Sponsored by the center and the Northern Minnesota Safety Council, the session is part of a series that features experts on topics relating to safety from around the state. Programs are scheduled on the third Wednesday of each month. Groups on the Bemidji Area Safety Council helping support and organize the presentations include Bi-County CAP, Beltrami County, North Central Door Company, Potlatch and Tri-Valley.

For more information, or to be added to the mailing list for the series, contact the Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation at (218) 755-4900; (888) 738-3224; cri@bemidjistate.edu; or at http://www.cri-bsu.org.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR
June 17 – 11:30 a.m. – Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation hosts Northern Minnesota Safety Council presentation on myths surrounding the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Presenter: Doug Crosby, former senior investigator, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Location: Center for Research and Innovation; 3801 Bemidji Ave. N.; Bemidji, Minn. Cost: $25, includes lunch; advance registration required by June 15. Information: (218) 755-4900; (888) 738-3224; cri@bemidjistate.edu; http://www.cri-bsu.org.