Schaumburg, IL – As the sole corporate sponsor of PrintGuard Safety Train-the-Trainer courses, INX International Ink Co. has been involved in the first safety course developed specifically for the printing industry since 1999.  In that time, more than 1,400 companies have participated by sending over 2,600 attendees to various events.  Those numbers will continue to grow with an upcoming course scheduled for Dallas on July 22-23.

The PrintGuard class consists of 10 hours of OSHA certified classroom instruction.  It is ideal for people with safety management as part of their job responsibilities but who are not safety professionals.  Attendees will learn how to create safer workplaces for employees and prevent serious injuries and illnesses.  Brian Rutherford handles instruction for the two-day course, which is required to earn the OSHA completion card.  Mr. Rutherford is nationally recognized for his 24 years of experience with safety knowledge and issues and OSHA compliance.

The program was first developed in 1999 with the assistance of the late Gary Reniker, who was safety director for INX International.  A Printing & Imaging Association of MidAmerica survey of members indicated they needed help to meet OSHA compliance requirements.  Jim Oldebeken, executive director of PIA MidAmerica, met with Reniker and it led to start-up of the PrintGuard Safety Train-The-Trainer program.  PIA MidAmerica presents an award, the Gary R. Reniker Environmental Health & Safety Professional of the Year, annually.

"PrintGuard was developed in Kansas City and now has a national impact in preventing injuries, illnesses and deaths in the printing industry.  It is one of our greatest accomplishments as a trade association," Oldebeken said.  "PrintGuard would not have happened without INX's involvement in developing the course and sustaining it for 11 years as a corporate sponsor.  They truly do more than sell ink by continually demonstrating a commitment to the safety and health of the 900,000 employees of today's U.S. printing industry."

The July 22-23 event will be held at PIA MidAmerica headquarters, 1349 Empire Central Drive in Dallas, Texas, 75247.  Cost for the program is only $95.  To register or for more information call (800) 788-2040, or visit www.piamidam.org and click on Events.