(UPDATED 4/28/09)

Health care professionals can participate in a free hazard awareness training course from 6-9 p.m. May 19 at the Days Hotel and Conference Center in Flatwoods.

West Virginia University Safety and Health Extension faculty will teach participants to recognize, avoid and prevent hazards while providing care for patients suffering from the effects of swine or avian influenza.

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Those who may want to attend include nursing home employees, volunteers and support staff; emergency responders; hospital staff; and others.

Emergency medical responders and nurses can count this course toward their continuing education requirements.

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Seating is limited, and preregistration is required. Participants must sign up by May 11. To register, call Diana Coffman at 304-293-7527 or 800-626-4748.

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Additional training dates are available for a limited time for employers wishing to train their entire health care work force. To learn more about customized group training sessions, call 800-626-4748 or 304-293-3096.

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For states in the Occupational Safety and Health Administrations Region III , the courses are free of charge. The region includes Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

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The free training is available through federal funding from an OSHA Susan Harwood training grant.