Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. and the Essex County Office of Small Business Development and Affirmative Action invite small, women, minority, veteran and LGBTQ business owners to participate in the OSHA30 Outreach Training Program. This free, 30-hour training program is geared for construction-oriented businesses and will provide owners with information about federal safety standards that they are required to provide in the workplace. It will be held Fri., Feb. 19 and 26 and March 4, 11 and 18, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the Essex County LeRoy F. Smith, Jr. Public Safety Building in Newark. “We invite construction workers, foremen, superintendents and project managers to join us for this free program,” says DiVincenzo. The OSHA Training Program will discuss the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the functions of OSHA. This is another opportunity offered by our Office of Small Business Development and Affirmative Action to empower small, women, minority, veteran and LGBTQ vendors and help them succeed in today’s competitive market.” “Keeping up with Federal safety guidelines can be very difficult, and small businesses are especially vulnerable because they may not have the resources to stay informed,” said attorney Deborah E. Collins, director of the Office of Small Business Development and Affirmative Action.. Whether you are an existing small business and need a refresher course or an entrepreneur who is just getting started, our OSHA training program will give you details about your responsibility to create a safe working environment for your employees.” The OSHA30 Outreach Training Program is a 30-hour class held over five weeks. Participants will obtain a general understanding of the OSHA Act and the functions of OSHA, information about the procedures and priorities of an OSHA Compliance Inspection, a description of the rights and responsibilities of the employers and employees under the OSHA Act and the tools, skills and knowledge to identify, control and eliminate hazards in the workplace. Participants who complete the course will receive a certificate of completion and a completion card from the U.S. Department of Labor. The program is free, but registration is required. Limited space is available. The class will be offered again in the future. For information or to register, call the Office of Small Business Development and Affirmative Action at 973-621-2011.