Region 9 News Release: 10-1223-SAN (SF-282)
Sept. 13, 2010
Contact: Jose A. Carnevali
Phone: 415-625-2631
Email: carnevali.jose@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA announces
opening of area office in Honolulu

HONOLULU - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced the opening of a new area office at 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 5-146, in Honolulu. The opening of this office will support OSHA's increased activity, strengthened enforcement and enhanced state plan oversight.

"With the new area office in Honolulu, we will improve service to workers and employers in Hawaii and enhance our coordination and oversight with the state plan," said Ken Nishiyama Atha, OSHA's regional administrator in San Francisco, Calif. "This presence ultimately will ensure that workers are better protected."

The new area director of OSHA's Honolulu office is Galen Lemke, who has been with OSHA for more than 15 years. Lemke, an industrial hygienist, has served on several national work groups for OSHA and as assistant area director for the Madison, Wis., office. Prior to his selection, Lemke was the audit and analysis team leader in the Chicago Regional Office.

Employers and workers with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards can call the OSHA's Honolulu Area Office at 808-541-2680 or OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-6742 to report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit http://www.dol.gov/compliance.