SAN ANTONIO, TX - In an address to about 4,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professionals at the opening of American Society of Safety Engineers' three-day conference here at the convention center, U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis said they are ready to get to work to protect workers and thanked the attendees for all that they do to ensure worker safety.

"Thank you all for the work that you do every day to protect workers as it is not easy," Solis said. "Especially during these difficult economic times. I am also here to tell you that the President believes this government has responsibility to protect workers and protect them from unsafe workplaces.

"The Department of Labor is back in the enforcement business," Solis continued. "We will be working with all stakeholders because as you know, workplace safety is everyone's business."

Solis also announced that the DOL's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will launch a major construction safety initiative in Texas to prevent workplace fatalities and injuries. The department noted that Texas has the highest rate of on-the-job fatalities than any other state. In 2008 there were 67 fatalities, and in 2009 there have been 33. Solis also noted that in 2007 and 2008 more than 3,000 inspections were conducted by OSHA in the southeastern states.

As for naming DOL and OSHA department leaders, Solis noted that there are several people that have been nominated to serve at the DOL in a variety of positions, including the head of OSHA, yet they are still in the pipeline.