The University of the Virgin Islands will host a series of free
environmental health and safety workshops on Nov. 17, on its St.
Thomas Campus. The University is conducting the workshops as part
of an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency which
requires it to provide community outreach to schools and selected
small businesses.
The workshops will take place over the course of the day, with the
morning session - 9 a.m. to noon - targeting schools and students
on the junior high and secondary levels, the afternoon session - 2
p.m. to 5 p.m. - for UVI faculty and staff, and the evening session
- 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. - for specific elements of the small business
community.
"We wanted specifically to offer an evening session for businesses,
because we wanted to attract small businesses. But we also wanted
to be mindful of the fact that many of these businesses might not
be able to spare employees during the active business day," said
LilyMae Durante, UVI's acting St. Thomas campus executive
administrator. Her office is coordinating the workshops.
The workshops will focus on activities with potential adverse
environmental impacts such as the maintenance of science
laboratories and art programs in schools which require the use of
paints, solvents and other chemicals, and in small businesses such
as those involving automotive repair, dry cleaners, gas station
operators, marine operations and printing operations. Participants
will have the opportunity to review pertinent environmental
regulations as well as requirements for hazardous waste, solid
waste, solid waste recycling and the treatment of waste
water.
The workshops are offered in conjunction with a national
consultant, Prizim, which specializes in environmental health and
safety, but will also feature presentations from local government
regulatory agencies, including the Department of Planning and
Natural Resources and the Virgin Islands Waste Management
Authority. Representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency
also will present pertinent regulatory information essential for
keeping businesses on the right side of the law.
The workshops are being provided at no cost to participants and
include time-appropriate meals and snacks. Interested persons are
asked to contact the University at (340) 693-1266 by 4:30 p.m. on
Thursday, Nov. 12, to register for the workshops. See schedule
below.
Workshop Schedule - Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009 - UVI St. Thomas
Campus
- Junior and Secondary High Schools - 9 a.m. to noon - Classroom Administration Building, CAB room 305
- UVI Faculty and Staff - 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. -Administration and Conference Center, First Floor
- Small Businesses - 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Administration and Conference Center, First Floor.