Security Awareness and Preparedness

The advent of deliberate terrorist acts as a means of placing fear in the minds and hearts of Americans in general and the citizens of New Jersey in particular has resulted in the development and implementation of the Security Awareness and Preparedness Initiative.  More than four years after 9/11, there have been improvements in protecting the nation's infrastructure, some of which remain vulnerable to terrorist attack.  New Jersey has continued its reputation as a leader in safety and security in the workplace through the implementation of numerous security standards, and the creation of a committee representing labor, industry, and state and federal agencies to develop a training program that promotes worker involvement in site security.

The New Jersey State AFL-CIO has developed and maintained key strategic partnerships to advance safe, secure and healthy workplaces throughout New Jersey through its Department of Occupational Safety and Health.  The strength of the organization lies in its ability to form collaborative partnerships with employers, labor unions, government agencies, and academia to develop superior projects that have proven effective and impactful. 

Chemical and Petroleum Sector Security Awareness and Preparedness Training

The OSHEP Chemical and Petroleum Sector Awareness and Preparedness Training is the only state recognized training for Tier 1 Chemical and Petroleum sector companies in New Jersey for compliance with the New Jersey State Chemical and Petroleum Sector Best Practices Standard.  This landmark curriculum was developed in partnership with over 20 different organizations including the New Jersey State Police, U.S. Department of Labor OSHA, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, United Steelworkers, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, New Jersey Institute of Technology, AFL-CIO, Chemistry Council of New Jersey, and New Jersey Petroleum Council.

The New Jersey State AFL-CIO is proud to report on the continued progress in conducting outreach and training for Security Awareness and Preparedness Training in the Chemical and Petroleum sector.

The curriculum development process that started as a landmark effort in partnership and collaboration between the state government, academic experts, labor unions, businesses and organizations, continues to find its strength in cooperation with state agencies and companies.  The Occupational Safety and Health Education Program considers it a vital mission to ensure that chemical companies required to comply with the New Jersey State Best Practices Standard are providing the training necessary under state requirements, using interactive training methods and soliciting employee input in the process. 

We’re proud to report that to date, 189 facilities attended the Security Awareness and Preparedness Train-the-Trainer course.  Of the 107 facilities subject to the Standards and inspected to date by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, 97 have demonstrated compliance with the Worker Training requirement.  The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has confirmed that 8,389 employees have been trained at 110 facilities in the Chemical and Petroleum sectors.  In total, OSHEP has delivered a total of approximately 12,800 training hours since 2007 on Chemical Security Awareness and Preparedness.

We believe that securing the future of our state’s infrastructure and the safety of our great workforce lies in each one of us taking a vested interest in the success of this training program. 

If you are a company subject to the New Jersey Best Practices Standards and have questions, comments or requests regarding the Security Awareness and Preparedness Training, please call Komilla John, OSHEP Coordinator at (609) 989-8289 or send an email to kjohn@njaflcio.org.

Your continued feedback, support and involvement will help ensure the safety, health and security of our great state’s working men and women.