Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Director Dwight Takamine, representatives from the Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health division and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration will present a free informational session at the HEC to discuss the new HIOSH and OSHA Operational Status Agreement, which provides for joint enforcement of Hawaii’s occupational safety and health laws for a three-year period.

Topics to be covered in the session includes:

• Why OSHA and HIOSH have established this new partnership

• How OSHA and HIOSH will divide responsibility for enforcing workplace safety and health regulations in the state

• How OSHA will support and assist in the rebuilding of Hawaii’s safety programs for employers

• Whether there will be any changes in procedures for inspections and appeals of citations

The session provides a great opportunity to provide your input and discuss your concerns with agency representatives. Registration for the session is due by August 20.