Government, law enforcement and private sector professionals will join in a day-long conference July 21 to help New England employers develop effective means to address workplace violence.

The second New England Conference on Workplace Violence will be held at Western New England College in Springfield. Several of this year's presenters will focus on preventing violence in health care settings, including hospitals, doctors' offices and nursing homes. Co-sponsoring the event are the college and the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The conference will feature presentations from representatives of OSHA, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Service, the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety, Baystate Medical Center, Massachusetts Association of Registered Nurses, Massachusetts General Hospital, BHN Crisis Center of Springfield, Providence Behavioral Health Hospital and the Director of Workplace Violence Prevention, Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

F.B.I. Supervisory Special Agent Eugene A. Rugala, an expert on workplace violence, will be the keynote speaker. Massachusetts Lt. Governor Kerry Healy is the scheduled luncheon speaker.

There is no charge for the conference; however, seating is limited to 220 and pre-registration is encouraged. To register, call (413) 782-1561 or fax to the attention of Marj at (413) 782-1746. Lunch will be free for the first 120 registrants and available for $8.50 for additional registrants.

For more information, call Nelson Barnes of OSHA at (413) 785-0123. The conference will run from 7:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. in Sleith Hall. Brenda Garton, director of college relations and community outreach for Western New England College, will emcee.

WHAT: Second Conference on Workplace Violence
WHERE: Western New England College
Sleith Hall - 1215 Wilbraham Rd.
Springfield, Mass.
WHEN: Thursday, July 21, 2005
7:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. (Registration: 7:00 a.m.)
TO REGISTER: Contact Marj at (413) 782-1561 or fax registration form to (413) 782-1746