OSHA Fetes Newtowner For Service, Contributions

WETHERSFIELD — Newtown resident Richard Palo has been honored by the Occupational Safety and Health State Plan Association (OSHSPA) for his service and contributions to the group. 

Mr Palo, director of the Connecticut Department of Labor’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Conn-OSHA), has been with the agency since 1984 and director of the Conn-OSHA division since 2003. He was honored at OSHSPA’s northeast region state planning meeting held in Raleigh, N.C.

Mr Palo, who holds a master’s degree in occupational health from Quinnipiac University, has served on OSHSPA’s executive board for two years. A certified industrial hygienist, he is affiliated with the American Board of Industrial Hygienists and is also a member of the Connecticut Safety Society.

The organization comprises officials from 26 states that operate federal OSHA-approved state safety and health plans; OSHSPA serves as a link between the state plans and federal agencies with occupational safety and health jurisdiction, as well as to Congress.

The group holds three meetings a year with federal OSHA, giving those state’s with approved programs the opportunity to address common problems and share information. OSHSPA representatives frequently appear before congressional committees and other legislative bodies to report on job safety and health issues.

“I was surprised and honored to receive this award,” Mr Palo said. “The issue of safety and health is very important, mainly because it’s so much a part of everyone’s life.”