Wyoming adds safety staff

Cheyenne, WY – Newly hired safety consultants in Wyoming’s Department of Workforce Services are part of an ongoing effort to make improvements to the department after a scathing memo sent six months ago claimed safety in the state “occurs as an afterthought.”

DWS announced on April 29 it had filled seven safety consultant positions and one compliance officer position as part of the implementation of workplace safety-employer assistance legislation.

The bill incorporates recommendations from the Dec. 19 memo to Gov. Matt Mead (R) from an epidemiologist tasked by the state with developing proposals to address workplace safety issues in Wyoming.

While primarily intended for small businesses, the new consultants are available for all employers in the state. At no cost, they will target potential hazards in businesses and offer recommendations to improve occupational safety and health management systems, DWS said.