Fostering safer and healthier workplaces for the hospitality and tourism industry is the goal of a renewed alliance signed today (Friday, June 3, 2011) between the U.S. Virgin Islands Hotel and Tourism Association (USVI-HTA) and the Safety In Paradise (SIP) Program of the University of the Virgin Islands' Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning (UVICELL). Through the Alliance agreement, the USVI-HTA and the UVICELL - SIP Program will work together to provide members of the Hotel and Tourism Association with information, guidance and access to training resources that will positively impact the safety and health of hospitality workers.
"This alliance is an important step in providing our membership with the training and education that will help keep them safe at their worksites," said Lisa Hamilton, Executive Director of the USVI Hotel and Tourism Association. "We look forward to forging a successful working relationship with UVICELL-SIP to improve worker safety and health throughout the hospitality industry."
The Alliance agreement is an integral part of a national effort to ensure that workers are afforded every means to have a safer and more healthful work environment. This agreement focuses on reducing and preventing exposure to fire and electrical hazards and addressing personal protection equipment and hazard communication issues.
"It is important to educate the hospitality workforce about the safety and health hazards in the work environment," said Ilene Garner, UVICELL Director and SIP Program Manager. "Together we can provide a sound framework for disseminating information about opportunities to reduce employee injuries and illnesses."
Representing more than 250 members, the USVI Hotel and Tourism Association is a not for profit trade association which serves as the unifying organization for accommodations and tourism related businesses.
The UVICELL-SIP Program will provide expertise in developing training and education programs that prevent workplace hazards and provides assistance in developing ways to communicate such information to employers and employees in the industry.
For more information on the Alliance or the free consultation services offered, contact the Safety In Paradise Program at (340) 693-1146.